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Agra

EIN 98-0513530 · Alexandria, VA

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AGRA'S MISSION IS TO CATALYZE THE GROWTH OF SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS ACROSS AFRICA BY INFLUENCING AND LEVERAGING PARTNERS TO BUILD A ROBUST ENABLING ENVIRONMENT WHERE PRIVATE SECTOR THRIVES AND SMALLHOLDER FARMERS ARE EMPOWERED TO PRODUCE SUFFICIENT, HEALTHY FOOD.

Income
$126.8 million
Spending
$115.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
267
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$412,134, president-agra

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (international, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (international, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    5 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $70.1 million spent. "PIATA-THE PIATA PARTNERS INCLUDE THE GATES FOUNDATION, FCDO, KFW, MASTERCARD FOUNDATION, AND THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION AND USAID. THE DESCRIPTION COULD READ: THE PURPOSE IS TO DRIVE AN INCLUSIVE TRANSFORMATION OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SYSTEMS ACROSS AFRICA, AIMED AT REDUCING HUNGER, IMPROVING NUTRITION, AND ENHANCING RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE. BY UNLOCKING THE VALUE OF BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTMENTS, PIATA SEEKS TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION IN AFRICA THAT ADDRESSES THE REGION'S MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES. THROUGH CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH THE AFRICAN UNION AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES (RECS), PIATA STRIVES TO BUILD THE NECESSARY CAPACITIES AND CAPABILITIES TO LAY A STRONG, ENDURING FOUNDATION FOR THIS TRANSFORMATION, ENSURING LONG-TERM FOOD SECURITY AND PROSPERITY FOR AFRICAN COMMUNITIES."
  2. $18.1 million spent. AFRICAN ENTERPRISE CHALLENGE FUND- AECF SUPPORTS BUSINESSES WORKING IN AGRIBUSINESS, RURAL FINANCIAL SERVICES,RENEWABLE ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGIES THE AECF IS ESSENTIALLY ABOUT STIMULATING PRO-POOR GROWTH IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS;-INCREASING THE PACE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH BY STIMULATING PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN AGRIBUSINESS,FINANCIAL SERVICES,RENEWABLE ENERGY;IMPROVING THE PATTERN OF GROWTH BY ENABLING THE RURAL POOR TO PARTICIPATE IN GROWTH AS AGENTS AND BENEFICIARIES,ENSURING THAT THE CROSS-CUTTING DIMENSIONS OF POVERTY AND ENVIRONMENT ARE TACKLED IN MUTUALLY REINFORCING WAYS EMPOWERING THE POOR BY IMPROVING THEIR VOICE AND ROLE IN THE ECONOMY AS WELL AS THEIR INCOME.
  3. $3.4 million spent. AFRICA FOOD SYSTEMS FORUM (AFS FORUM) (FORMERLY THE AGRF) IS THE WORLD'S PREMIER FORUM FOR AFRICAN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS, BRINGING TOGETHER STAKEHOLDERS TO TAKE PRACTICAL ACTION AND SHARE LESSONS THAT WILL MOVE AFRICAN FOOD SYSTEMS FORWARD. AFRICA FOOD SYSTEMS FORUM'S MISSION IS TO INFORM, INFLUENCE AND CATALYZE THE TRANSITION TO SUSTAINABLE, RESILIENT AND INCLUSIVE FOOD SYSTEMS.
  4. $7.1 million spent. NON PIATA/OTHERS THE PURPOSE IS TO DRIVE INCLUSIVE, SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION IN AFRICA BY STRENGTHENING SMALLHOLDER FARMERS' RESILIENCE, PRODUCTIVITY, AND MARKET ACCESS; FOSTERING YOUTH AND WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION; ENHANCING SEED SYSTEMS AND CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE; AND SUPPORTING GOVERNMENTS TO BUILD ENABLING POLICIES AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITIES FOR LONG-TERM AGRICULTURAL GROWTH.
  5. $63,487 spent. AFRICAN SEED INVESTMENT FUND (ASIF) WAS INCORPORATED ON AUGUST 18, 2010 IN THE REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS AS PRIVATE COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES, WITH LIMITED LIFE. THE FUND HAS A LIFE SPAN OF 10 YEARS WITH AN OPTION TO EXTEND IT FOR 2 ADDITIONAL YEARS. AGRA HOLDS 99.99% OF CLASS A SHARES EQUITY INTEREST IN ASIF WITH THE REMAINING 0.01% HELD BY PEARL CAPITAL PARTNERS AND ABAX NOMINEES LIMITED WHO HOLD CLASS B AND CLASS C SHARES RESPECTIVELY

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? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(3) charitable organization as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 July 2007.

    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.