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Marin Agricultural Land Trust

EIN 94-2689383 · Point Reyes Station, CA

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

MALT'S MISSION IS TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT MARIN'S AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR AGRICULTURAL USE. MALT'S VISION FOR MARIN COUNTY IS A THRIVING AND INCLUSIVE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY IN A HEALTHY AND DIVERSE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$8.1 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
30.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
25
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$314,018, executive director

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 56% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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. $1.8 million spent. CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM:SINCE ITS INCEPTION, MALT HAS ACQUIRED 98 AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS COVERING 58,917 ACRES. THESE EASEMENTS PROHIBIT DEVELOPMENT, SUBDIVISION, AND USES OR PRACTICES WHICH WOULD BE DESTRUCTIVE TO THE AGRICULTURAL VALUE OF THE LAND. AFTER THE EASEMENTS ARE RECORDED, OWNERS ARE BOUND BY ITS TERMS IN PERPETUITY. MALT PURCHASED ONE CONSERVATION EASEMENT TOTALING $800,766 DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025. MALT STAFF VISIT EACH EASEMENT ANNUALLY TO MONITOR CONDITIONS AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE.
  2. $795,493 spent. OUTREACH:MALT'S COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDE A VARIETY OF HIKES AND EVENTS ON FARMS AND RANCHES THROUGHOUT MARIN COUNTY. THESE EVENTS CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE LAND THAT MALT PROTECTS, THE FARMING FAMILIES WHO STEWARD THE LAND, AND THE CELEBRATED LOCAL FOOD GROWN AND RAISED ON IT. MALT EVENTS HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL FARMLAND FOR THE ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENT, CULTURE, RECREATION, AND EDUCATION.
  3. $923,165 spent. STEWARDSHIP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:MALT USES INCENTIVE-BASED GRANT PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE STEWARDSHIP OF NATURAL AND WORKING LANDS ON EASEMENT AND NON-EASEMENT AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

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 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 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 February 1981.

    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.