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Friends of Zenger Farm

EIN 93-1269630 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak49 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A WORKING URBAN FARM THAT MOSELS, PROMOTES & EDUCATE ABOUT SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ACCESS TO GOOD FOOD FOR ALL.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
36
Volunteers
438
Highest pay
$103,324, co-executive

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $620,642 spent. YOUTH EDUCATION - UNDER THIS PROGRAM YOUTH ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOD NUTRITION, FARMING, WETLAND CONSERVATION & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN FOSTERING FOSTERING HEALTHY URBAN COMMUNITIES. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES A DISTRICT WIDE PARTNERSHIP WITH DAVID DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT, FIELD TRIPS, CAMP, URBAN FARM HOMESCHOOL, AND FEASIBILITY TESTING OF AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING. DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, 3,801 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM.
  2. $503,607 spent. FARM OPERATIONS - ZENGER FARM EDUCATES BEGINNING ORGANIC SMALL FARMERS THROUGH ITS SHORT SEASON AND LONG SEASON INTERSHIP. ZENGER FARM LONG SEASON FARM INTERSHIP PROGRAM IS THE ONLY BEGINNING FARMER TRAINING OF ITS CALIBER IN PORTLAND WITH NO ENTRY COST AND A SMALL STIPEND TO OFFSET LIVING EXPENSES. IN ADDITIOM, THE PRODUCE THAT IS GROWN IS EITHER SOLD TO INDIVIDUALS (VIA COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA))AND RESTAURANTS, OR USED IN THE ABOVE PROGRAMMING. DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 , 186 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM.
  3. $16,558 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - OUR COMMUNITY-BASED WORKSHOPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS BRING TOGETHER NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILIES TO CONNECT WITH RESOURCES, LEARN SKILLS, AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS THAT STRENGTHEN THEIR ABILITY TO NOURISH THEMSELVES WITH HEALTHY. WE CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY'S DIVERSE FOOD TRADITIONS AND WORK WITH PARTICIPANTS TO SHAPE OUR PROGRAM. WE STRIVE TO CREATE DIALOGUE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY; SHARING OUR EXPERIENCE AND LISTENING, LEARNING AND BUILDING KNOWLEDGE TOGETHER. DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, 0 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM.
  4. $764,560 spent. CSA PARTNERSHIPS FOR HEALTH - THE CSA PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTH PROGRAM WORKS WITH FARMERS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE LOW COST WEEKLY CSA SHARES TO PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH DIET-RELATED CHRONIC DISEASES. DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, 1,260 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM.
  5. CSA PARTNERSHIPS FOR HEALTH - THE CSA PARTNERSHIP FOR HEALTH PROGRAM WORKS WITH FARMERS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE LOW COST WEEKLY CSA SHARES TO PATIENTS DIAGNOSED WITH DIET-RELATED CHRONIC DISEASES. DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, 1,260 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM.

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 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 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 December 1999.

    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.

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.