Oregon Tilth Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OREGON TILTH IS A LEADING NONPROFIT CERTIFIER, EDUCATOR AND ADVOCATE FOR SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AND PRODUCTS SINCE 1974. THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION TO MAKE THE FOOD SYSTEM AND AGRICULTURE BIOLOGICALLY SOUND AND SOCIALLY EQUITABLE REQUIRES IT TO FIND PRACTICAL WAYS TO TACKLE BIG CHALLENGES. OREGON TILTH ADVANCES ITS MISSION TO BUILD A BRIGHTER FOOD FUTURE THROUGH STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS OF ENGAGED TEAMS, EMPOWERED CLIENTS AND EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP.
- Income
- $14.3 million
- Spending
- $14.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 7.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 96%
- Employees
- 146
- Volunteers
- 9
- Highest pay
- $328,822, certification dir.
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: 76 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 34% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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.
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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, 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 (2)
- $9.4 million spent. OREGON TILTH CERTIFIED ORGANIC PROGRAM: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ORGANIC CERTIFICATION TO OVER 2,100 GROWERS, PROCESSORS, AND HANDLERS ACROSS THE U.S. AND MEXICO. THE OREGON TILTH CERTIFIED ORGANIC (OTCO) PROGRAM ENSURES INTEGRITY THROUGHOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN BY COMBINING STRICT PRODUCTION STANDARDS, THIRD-PARTY INSPECTIONS, AND STRONG ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS TO PROTECT THE PRODUCERS AND BUYERS OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS. OREGON TILTH IS COMMITTED TO MAKING ORGANIC CERTIFICATION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL INTERESTED FARMERS. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS DIRECTLY WITH PRODUCERS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE REGULATIONS AND RECORDKEEPING REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATION. THIS INCLUDES ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS WITH HUNDREDS OF PRODUCERS ANNUALLY, OUTREACH THROUGH FARMER WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDES, VIDEOS, AND OTHER RESOURCES. FOR EXAMPLE, ORGANIC LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS MUST TRACK PASTURE USE, FEED, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION CREATED A VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS HOW TO CALCULATE DRY MATTER INTAKE FOR DAIRY ANIMALS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH ORGANIC STANDARDS.
- $3.1 million spent. ORGANIC EDUCATION PROGRAM: THROUGH EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, THE ORGANIZATION PROMOTES FOOD PRODUCTION PRACTICES THAT CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES, ENHANCE RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE, AND FOSTER HEALTHY, EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES. IN 2024, OREGON TILTH EXPANDED ITS LONG-STANDING NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) TO GROW FROM ONE TO FIVE JOINT STAFF POSITIONS THAT SUPPORT TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TRANSITIONING AND ORGANIC FARMERS. BY WORKING WITHIN THE NRCS TO IMPROVE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THESE PRODUCERS, THE ORGANIZATION HAS A LARGE RIPPLE EFFECT ON PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROVIDING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO US AGRICULTURE.THE ORGANIZATION SERVES AS THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGIONAL LEAD FOR USDAS TRANSITION TO ORGANIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (TOPP). THE PROGRAM BUILDS ON EXISTING COLLABORATIONS AND CULTIVATES NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, AND INDUSTRY LEADERS TO EXPAND KNOWLEDGE AND STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR TRANSITIONING FARMERS AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE. INITIATIVES LIKE FARMER-TO-FARMER MENTORSHIP, INDIVIDUAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, EDUCATIONAL FIELD DAYS, AND ACCESSIBLE WEBINARS ARE DESIGNED TO GROW THE ORGANIC SECTOR. TOPP ACTIVITIES HAVE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE WORKFORCE TRAINING FOR NEW AND EXISTING AGRICULTURAL PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING ORGANIC INSPECTORS.IN 2024, OREGON TILTH EMBARKED ON A NEW PROJECT TO INCREASE AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, AND USE OF CROP INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT TOOLS BY ORGANIC PRODUCERS AND THOSE TRANSITIONING TO ORGANIC. THIS INITIATIVE IS FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE DRAMATIC UNDERUTILIZATION OF VITAL FARM SAFETY NET PROGRAMS BY ORGANIC PRODUCERS.THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO DIVERSIFYING ITS STAFF, LEADERSHIP, AND THE BROADER ORGANIC SECTOR. IN 2024, PARTNERSHIPS WITH TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS SERVING LATINO AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES INVESTED IN COMMUNITY EVENTS, OUTREACH, STORYTELLING, AND DIRECT SUPPORT TO REMOVE BARRIERS AND BRING RESOURCES TO THESE HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH PAUL QUINN COLLEGE, A DALLAS-BASED HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE, PROVIDED STUDENTS WITH REAL-WORLD WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE ORGANIC SECTOR WHILE REDUCING THEIR RELIANCE ON STUDENT LOANS.THE ORGANIZATION WORKS IN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO SHAPE PUBLIC POLICY AND GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATED WITH ADVOCACY PARTNERS TO ENGAGE LEGISLATORS, AGENCY LEADERS, AND UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATORS THROUGH WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS, ORAL TESTIMONY, AS WELL AS ONLINE AND IN-PERSON MEETINGS. IN THESE ENGAGEMENTS WE DISCUSSED ORGANIC RESEARCH PRIORITIES, RISK-BASED OVERSIGHT OF ORGANIC OPERATIONS, AND FUNDING TO SUPPORT ORGANIC CLIMATE SMART FARMING PRACTICES. BY CONNECTING POLICYMAKERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WITH THE ORGANIC COMMUNITY, THE ORGANIZATION HELPS ENSURE THE SECTORS VALUES AND NEEDS ARE REPRESENTED IN DECISIONS THAT ADVANCE ORGANIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, EXPAND MARKETS, AND PROMOTE ORGANIC PRACTICES THAT PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS.
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
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 2024.
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 July 1991.
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.
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