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Rural Development Institute

EIN 91-1158970 · Seattle, WA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LANDESA CHAMPIONS AND WORKS TO SECURE LAND RIGHTS FOR MILLIONS OF THE WORLD'S POOREST, MOSTLY RURAL WOMEN AND MEN TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY AND PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE.

Income
$12.7 million
Spending
$19.1 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
62
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$325,566, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 (3)
  1. $10.2 million spent. A COMMITMENT TO RIGOROUS MONITORING AND EVALUATION UNDERGIRDS LANDESA'S WORK. THIS PROCESS FACILITATES INTERNAL LEARNING FOR FUTURE PROJECTS AND IN MANY CASES EXPANDS THE UNDERSTANDING OF LAND-RELATED INTERVENTIONS AMONG THE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY. LANDESA FURTHER DISSEMINATES PROJECT LEARNING, ELEVATES THE ISSUE OF LAND RIGHTS, AND CULTIVATES NEW DONOR RESOURCES THROUGH STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS. THESE ACTIVITIES BUILD AWARENESS AND EXPAND UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND RIGHTS AS A DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION. LANDESA'S CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM DEVELOPS TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO HELP COMPANIES SHAPE LAND POLICIES THAT ALIGN WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES, LEADING TO BETTER OUTCOMES FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
  2. $3.1 million spent. ASIA IS HOME TO THE LARGEST RURAL POPULATION IN THE WORLD, WHERE LAND RIGHTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVING LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING CHINA, INDIA, AND MYANMAR, REGIONAL BODIES LIKE THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS, LOCAL CIVIL SOCIETY, AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, LANDESA PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EXPERTISE TO STRENGTHEN LAND LAWS AND POLICY, GUIDE IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS, PROMOTE LEGAL LITERACY AND AWARENESS OF RIGHTS TO LAND, AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR WOMEN AND COMMUNITIES IN BUSINESS SUPPLY CHAINS AND LAND-BASED INVESTMENTS.
  3. $2.5 million spent. LAND IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSET IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, YET 90 PERCENT OF AFRICA'S RURAL LAND IS UNDOCUMENTED. LANDESA'S AFRICA PROGRAM WORKS TO STRENGTHEN LAND RIGHTS POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS ON THE CONTINENT, LEADING TO IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR WOMEN, YOUTH, RURAL HOUSEHOLDS, AND OTHER GROUPS. IN LIBERIA AND TANZANIA, LANDESA IS PARTNERING WITH LOCAL CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS TO PURSUE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR GREATER ACCESS AND RIGHTS TO LAND FOR WOMEN, MEN AND COMMUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.

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