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Tilth Alliance

EIN 94-3261971 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO BUILD AN ECOLOGICALLY SOUND, ECONOMICALLY VIABLE, AND SOCIALLY EQUITABLE FOOD SYSTEM. TILTH ALLIANCE ENVISIONS A FUTURE WHERE ALL PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO FRESH NUTRITIOUS FOOD.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$5.2 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
95
Volunteers
2,250
Highest pay
$128,786, executive di

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (5)
  1. $600,825 spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: PROVIDES ADULT CLASSES AND ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY IN ORGANIC GARDENING, FOOD PRESERVATION, COMPOSTING, WASTE MANAGEMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. MANAGE AND MAINTAIN TWO LEARNING GARDENS WHERE PROGRAMMATIC, EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE.
  2. $1.2 million spent. FARM AND AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS: SUPPORTS SMALL TO MIDSIZE FARMERS AND DIVERSIFIED CROP AGRICULTURE THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON WITH A FOCUS ON PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE, FARM WALKS AND A FARMER PODCAST, AND EAT LOCAL FIRST, A PROGRAM TO CONNECT CONSUMERS DIRECTLY TO LOCAL FARMS AND GROW DEMAND FOR LOCAL FOOD.
  3. $463,538 spent. MARKET PROGRAMS: PROVIDES ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLY LOCALLY GROWN FOOD TO LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES. OPERATES THE FARM STAND AT RBUFW.
  4. $2.0 million spent. YOUTH AND FAMILIES: OFFER OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES INCLUDING A SUMMER FARM CAMP, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND STEM BASED SCHOOL FIELDTRIPS TO RBUFW AND THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN AT GOOD SHEPHERD CENTER. NATURAL YARD CARE: OPERATES THE GARDEN HOTLINE THE THE MASTER COMPOSTER AND SUSTAINABILITY STEWARD PROGRAMS. RAINIER BEACH URBAN FARM AND WETLANDS: 10 ACRE SITE, INCLUDING AN URBAN FARM, A COMMUNITY KITCHEN, A CLASSROOM AND OFFICES WHERE MANY PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE. OPERATED AS A COST CENTER. PROGRAM EVENTS: COMMUNITY FESTIVALS AND EVENTS.
  5. YOUTH AND FAMILIES: OFFER OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES INCLUDING A SUMMER FARM CAMP, AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND STEM BASED SCHOOL FIELDTRIPS TO RBUFW AND THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN AT GOOD SHEPHERD CENTER. NATURAL YARD CARE: OPERATES THE GARDEN HOTLINE THE THE MASTER COMPOSTER AND SUSTAINABILITY STEWARD PROGRAMS. RAINIER BEACH URBAN FARM AND WETLANDS: 10 ACRE SITE, INCLUDING AN URBAN FARM, A COMMUNITY KITCHEN, A CLASSROOM AND OFFICES WHERE MANY PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE. OPERATED AS A COST CENTER. PROGRAM EVENTS: COMMUNITY FESTIVALS AND EVENTS.

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 May 1997.

    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.