Amber Waves Farm Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
AN OCEAN-SIDE FARM, AMBER WAVES UNITES FOOD AND COMMUNITY WITH THE MISSION TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASPIRING GROWERS, THOUGHTFUL COOKS, AND EATERS OF ALL AGES.
- Income
- $4.1 million
- Spending
- $3.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 55%
- Employees
- 138
- Highest pay
- $126,488, co-director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 35% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $1.9 million spent. THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA PROGRAM) CONSISTS OF 375 FAMILIES THAT JOIN THE FARM TO SHARE THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF THE GROWING SEASON. CSA MEMBERS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE BY PURCHASING LOCAL, SEASONAL, ORGANIC FOOD DIRECTLY FROM FARMERS. THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS ALSO WELCOME TO VISIT THE WORKING FARM FOR SELF-GUIDED TOURS AND PROGRAMMING.
- $524,703 spent. FOOD EDUCATION: AMBER WAVES CONNECTS EATERS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, TO THEIR FOOD AND THE FARMERS GROWING IT, TO ESTABLISH A FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG LAND STEWARDSHIP AND HEALTHY EATING THROUGH ON-FARM EDUCATION; FIELD TRIPS, SUMMER CAMPS AND WEEKLY COMMUNITY FARM VISITS.
- $620,779 spent. APPRENTICISHIP PROGRAM: PROVIDES FARM APPRENTICES WITH THE PRIMARY SKILLS NEEDED TO PURSUE A CARER IN AGRICULTURE THROUGH IN-DEPTH, ON-FARM INSTRUCTION IN A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS MOST IMPORTANT TO ORGANIC FARMING, AS WELL AS ACCESS TO NEARBY WORKSHOPS, LECTURES AND CONFERENCES.
- $210,708 spent. FOOD SECURITY: THE ORGANIZATION HAS COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES. THE FARM GROWS AND DONATES TENS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF PRODUCE AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS EACH YEAR.
- FOOD SECURITY: THE ORGANIZATION HAS COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES. THE FARM GROWS AND DONATES TENS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF PRODUCE AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS EACH YEAR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.