Grow Food
Grow Food shows consistent revenue and asset growth with no reported officer compensation over a decade.
EIN: 204396437 · Mount Vernon, WA · NTEE: K05 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $3.9M |
| Total Expenses | $1.8M |
| Program Spending | 90% |
| Net Assets | $648K |
| Transparency Score | 92/100 |
Is Grow Food Legit?
Appears Legitimate
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Grow Food directs 90% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Grow Food
Grow Food (EIN: 204396437) is a nonprofit organization based in Mount Vernon, WA, classified under NTEE code K05. The organization reported total revenue of $3.9M and total assets of $1.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Grow Food's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Grow Food is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 18 years, with 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 16.6%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $2.0M |
| Total Expenses | $1.8M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$218K |
| Total Assets | $1.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $464K |
| Net Assets | $648K |
| Operating Margin | 10.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 41.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 7.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Grow Food reported a surplus of $218K with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 7.4 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 41.8% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 12 years of filings (2011–2023), Grow Food's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +45.6% | +39.9% | +20.3% |
| 2022 | +12.8% | +17.0% | +17.7% |
| 2021 | +13.9% | -1.3% | -1.6% |
| 2020 | +4.4% | -2.8% | +2.2% |
| 2019 | -2.2% | +29.4% | +1.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2008 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Grow Food with a Mission Score of 92 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 7%
- programs: 90%
- fundraising: 3%
According to IRS 990 filings, Grow Food allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 3%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $218K, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 41.8%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Grow Food consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that no salaries are paid to its officers, which is highly unusual and suggests a volunteer-led or extremely lean executive structure, maximizing funds for programs.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Grow Food:
- Consistent revenue growth (from $569,256 in 2013 to $2,031,760 in 2023)
- Healthy asset accumulation (from $247,764 in 2013 to $1,112,179 in 2023)
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings
- Expenses consistently below revenue in most recent years, indicating financial stability
- Positive net asset position
Frequently Asked Questions about Grow Food
Is Grow Food a legitimate charity?
Grow Food (EIN: 204396437) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Washington. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 92/100. It has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $3.9M. No red flags identified. 5 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Grow Food spend its money?
Grow Food directs 90% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 3%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Grow Food tax-deductible?
Grow Food is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204396437). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Grow Food's spending goes to programs?
Grow Food directs 90% to programs, 3% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Grow Food compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 92/100 (Excellent), Grow Food is above average for NTEE category K05 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Grow Food located?
Grow Food is headquartered in Mount Vernon, Washington and files with the IRS under EIN 204396437. It is classified under NTEE code K05.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Grow Food have?
Grow Food has 12 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $3.9M in total revenue.
Is Grow Food a good charity?
Based on the provided financial data, Grow Food appears to be a very good charity. It demonstrates consistent financial growth, maintains healthy assets, and notably reports 0% officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a strong commitment to its mission and efficient use of funds.
How has Grow Food's revenue changed over time?
Grow Food has experienced significant revenue growth, increasing from $569,256 in 2013 to $2,031,760 in 2023, indicating expanding operations and donor support.
What is Grow Food's asset growth trend?
The organization's assets have grown substantially, from $247,764 in 2013 to $1,112,179 in 2023, reflecting strong financial management and accumulation of resources.
Does Grow Food pay its officers?
According to the IRS 990 filing history, Grow Food has consistently reported 0% officer compensation for all available periods, indicating no salaries are paid to its officers.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Grow Food showing financial trends over 12 years of public records:
Over 12 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Grow Food's revenue has grown by 532.3%, moving from $321K to $2.0M. Total assets increased by 522.9% over the same period, from $179K to $1.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 620.7%, from $252K to $1.8M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Grow Food reported a surplus of $218K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $464K in liabilities against $1.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 41.8%), resulting in net assets of $648K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.0M | $1.8M | $1.1M | $464K | — | — |
| 2022 | $1.4M | $1.3M | $924K | $495K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.2M | $1.1M | $785K | $438K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $1.1M | $1.1M | $798K | $502K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.0M | $1.2M | $780K | $450K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.1M | $892K | $769K | $317K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $835K | $731K | $623K | $331K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $523K | $598K | $166K | $4K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $698K | $671K | $254K | $16K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $569K | $536K | $248K | $29K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $383K | $380K | $223K | $43K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $321K | $252K | $179K | $4K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +45.6% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.3M, and assets of $924K (revenue +12.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $785K (revenue +13.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.1M, and assets of $798K (revenue +4.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $1.2M, and assets of $780K (revenue -2.2% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $892K, and assets of $769K (revenue +27.4% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $835K, expenses of $731K, and assets of $623K (revenue +59.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $523K, expenses of $598K, and assets of $166K (revenue -25.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $698K, expenses of $671K, and assets of $254K (revenue +22.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $569K, expenses of $536K, and assets of $248K (revenue +48.5% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $383K, expenses of $380K, and assets of $223K (revenue +19.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $321K, expenses of $252K, and assets of $179K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Grow Food:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Grow Food is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.