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Passes our checks

Common Market Great Lakes

EIN 92-2821897 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak15 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.
  • Only 40% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION IS A NON-PROFIT THAT DISTRIBUTES LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED FOODS. THE ORGANIZATION'S PUBLIC PURPOSE IS TO IMPLEMENT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT IMPROVE ACCESS TO LOCAL FOODS FOR RESIDENTS OF UNDERSERVED LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES; AND TO INFORM INSTITUTIONS AND BUSINESSES OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ADD VALUE TO LOCAL FARM PRODUCTS BY PROCESSING THEM FOR THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND CUSTOMERS. OUR PUBLIC PURPOSE IS TO ALSO ESTABLISH WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION OF LOCALLY PRODUCED FARM PRODUCTS SO THAT THE SUPPLY OF LOCALLY PRODUCED FARM FOOD IS ASSURED. OUR MISSION IS TO CONNECT COMMUNITIES WITH GOOD FOOD FROM SUSTAINABLE FAMILY FARMS. WE STRIVE TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY, FARM VIABILITY AND COMMUNITY AND ECOLOGICAL HEALTH.

Income
$480,264
Spending
$801,229
Spent on programs
40%
Reserves
-7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
28
Highest pay
$265,422, member

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

Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 167% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 67% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 235% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    40% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 13 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 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 (1)
  1. $318,164 spent. DISTRIBUTION OF LOCALLY GROWN ILLINOIS AREA PRODUCE. IN AN EFFORT TO SUSTAIN AND PROMOTE THE REGIONAL FARM SYSTEM AND EXPAND COMMUNITY FOOD ACCESS. NOT INCLUDED IN PROGRAM INCOME AND EXPENSE WERE 4,092,236 IN GROSS SALES OF LOCAL PRODUCE AND 4,175,294 IN COST OF GOODS SOLD.

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

  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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 April 2024.

    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 November 4, 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.