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Cherokee Clay Food Alliance

EIN 99-0441323 · Andrews, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Mission: CCFA works to improve access to locally grown food in Cherokee and Clay Counties by strengthening our farmers' markets and local food system through education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable practices within our community of growers and consumers. Vision: We aim to build a resilient pathway to a sustainable local food system in Cherokee and Clay Counties.

Income
$96,010
Spending
$66,265
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Highest pay
$4,000, executive director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 48% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
  1. $22,982 spent. Our Local Growers' Farmstand was the beginning of our Local Food Hub. We purchased produce and eggs from local farmers to resell at area farmers markets. We received a grant to help us begin, and we were able to purchase over $10630 worth of local produce, supporting farmers in Cherokee and Clay Counties.
  2. $18,571 spent. Student Weekend Wellness - We provided weekend bags containing 6 meals each to 131 students in Cherokee County for 5 months, over 15,700 meals served in 2025.
  3. $3,955 spent. Our Big Table Program was a meal we made to raise money for a local farm that donates pork and vegetables to local food pantries. We donated 50 meals leftover from the meal in addition to $3809 to the farm.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 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 June 2024.

    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.