Ag & Food Lab
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide equitably resource producers and other food organizations focused on food security opportunities programs and services aimed at effective stewardship of resilient food ecosystems and related charitable programs and services thereby promoting the well-being of all who rely on such charitable programs and services;
- Income
- $245,943
- Spending
- $240,368
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 3.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $78,461, executive director and secretary
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 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
10 of 10Gave 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (4)
- $62,809 spent. The Farm advances regenerative agriculture through hands-on production demonstration and conservation projects that support producers applied learning and land stewardship. Initiated Councils focused on agricultural operations conservation and education to guide development and operations on the Farm by involving partners community members farmers and staff. Developed a 6-acre irrigation plan to support incubator farmers. Created a plan to upgrade the existing well and add a second well ensuring water resilience for future production. Provided technical assistance to two farm businesses strengthening planning production and market access.
- $32,071 spent. The Market increases equitable access to local food by strengthening market pathways that connect regenerative producers to consumers through community-centered distribution models. Partnered with Kaizen Food Rescue to distribute 1,080 food boxes over an 18-week period. Developed an expansion plan for a Farmers Market in Bennett CO building on the success of a summertime pilot popup market. Created a plan to distribute affordable food boxes through small independent retailers with SNAP authorization supporting both food access and local business stability.
- $44,415 spent. The Hub strengthens mid-chain local food businesses by advancing collaboration coordination and technical support for middle-ofthe-supply-chain partners. Co-founded the Colorado Circular Food System Collaborative bringing partners together to create a regenerative closed-loop food economy focused on reducing waste reusing materials and sharing resources. Partnered with CU Denver Geospatial Analysis and Mapping Laboratory GAMLab to design a GIS mapping system enabling route optimization resource tracking and deeper analytics to support local farms and small independent retailers in the Northeast region of Colorado.
- $33,000 spent. The School Advances understanding knowledge and hands-on experience across the food ecosystem by integrating education demonstration and community engagement. Contracted with a Research & Education Specialist to explore a new integrated program areaThe School connecting education and service learning across all programs. Partnered with DUs Center for a Regenerative Future to launch a student internship set to begin Fall 2026.Collaborated with St. Mary s K12 to begin developing a local food system curriculum paired with monthly local food featured in student meals.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.
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 October 2023.
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.