Lancaster Farmland Trust
Lancaster Farmland Trust shows strong growth and program focus with 0% reported officer compensation.
EIN: 204233446 · Strasburg, PA · NTEE: C340 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Lancaster Farmland Trust Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Lancaster Farmland Trust directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Lancaster Farmland Trust
Lancaster Farmland Trust (EIN: 204233446) is a nonprofit organization based in Strasburg, PA, classified under NTEE code C340. The organization reported total revenue of $8.3M and total assets of $12.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Lancaster Farmland Trust's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Lancaster Farmland Trust is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 6.1%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $10.3M |
| Total Expenses | $11.0M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-718,189 |
| Total Assets | $11.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $542K |
| Net Assets | $10.6M |
| Operating Margin | -7.0% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 4.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 12.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Lancaster Farmland Trust reported a deficit of $718K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 12.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 4.9% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Lancaster Farmland Trust's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -1.8% | +8.5% | -2.0% |
| 2022 | +8.3% | +23.1% | -2.7% |
| 2021 | +44.9% | +59.8% | +20.6% |
| 2020 | +28.1% | +11.2% | +30.0% |
| 2019 | +48.1% | +28.4% | +17.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
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 Lancaster Farmland Trust 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Lancaster Farmland Trust allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 deficit of $718K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 4.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available IRS 990 filings, indicating that executive salaries are either not paid or are covered through other means, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with over $10 million in annual revenue and $11 million in assets.
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.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Lancaster Farmland Trust's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, which might indicate compensation is reported under other categories or through related entities, warranting further investigation for full transparency.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Lancaster Farmland Trust:
- Strong and consistent growth in revenue and assets over the past decade, demonstrating financial stability and increasing capacity.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating a strong commitment to directing funds towards program services.
- High program spending efficiency, with a significant portion of expenses dedicated to its mission.
- Excellent transparency with 13 years of publicly available IRS 990 filings.
- Healthy asset base ($11,152,187 in 2023) providing long-term financial security for its mission.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lancaster Farmland Trust
Is Lancaster Farmland Trust a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lancaster Farmland Trust (EIN: 204233446) some concerns. Mission Score: 92/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.
How does Lancaster Farmland Trust spend its money?
Lancaster Farmland Trust directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Lancaster Farmland Trust tax-deductible?
Lancaster Farmland Trust is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204233446). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Lancaster Farmland Trust a good charity?
Based on its strong program focus, consistent growth in assets and revenue, and 0% reported officer compensation, Lancaster Farmland Trust appears to be a very good charity, effectively directing resources towards its mission.
How has the organization's financial health changed over time?
Lancaster Farmland Trust has shown significant financial growth, with revenue increasing from $3.66 million in 2014 to over $10 million in 2023, and assets growing from $5.51 million to $11.15 million over the same period, indicating robust expansion.
What is the organization's approach to executive compensation?
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation in its IRS 990 filings, suggesting a highly lean approach to executive salaries or that these costs are absorbed elsewhere, which is a notable characteristic for an organization of its scale.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Lancaster Farmland Trust showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Lancaster Farmland Trust's revenue has grown by 104%, moving from $5.0M to $10.3M. Total assets increased by 225.4% over the same period, from $3.4M to $11.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 118.8%, from $5.0M to $11.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Lancaster Farmland Trust reported a deficit of $718K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $542K in liabilities against $11.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 4.9%), resulting in net assets of $10.6M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $10.3M | $11.0M | $11.2M | $542K | — | — |
| 2022 | $10.5M | $10.1M | $11.4M | $941K | — | — |
| 2021 | $9.7M | $8.2M | $11.7M | $343K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $6.7M | $5.2M | $9.7M | $358K | — | — |
| 2019 | $5.2M | $4.6M | $7.5M | $132K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $3.5M | $3.6M | $6.4M | $329K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $4.9M | $4.5M | $6.7M | $166K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $3.8M | $3.7M | $5.6M | $36K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $5.3M | $4.8M | $5.2M | $56K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $3.7M | $3.0M | $5.5M | $50K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $6.6M | $5.6M | $4.9M | $69K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $6.5M | $6.4M | $3.8M | $299K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $5.0M | $5.0M | $3.4M | $282K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $10.3M, expenses of $11.0M, and assets of $11.2M (revenue -1.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $10.5M, expenses of $10.1M, and assets of $11.4M (revenue +8.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $9.7M, expenses of $8.2M, and assets of $11.7M (revenue +44.9% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $6.7M, expenses of $5.2M, and assets of $9.7M (revenue +28.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $5.2M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $7.5M (revenue +48.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $3.5M, expenses of $3.6M, and assets of $6.4M (revenue -27.7% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $4.9M, expenses of $4.5M, and assets of $6.7M (revenue +26.6% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $3.8M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $5.6M (revenue -27.1% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $5.2M (revenue +44.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $3.7M, expenses of $3.0M, and assets of $5.5M (revenue -44.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $6.6M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $4.9M (revenue +1.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $6.5M, expenses of $6.4M, and assets of $3.8M (revenue +29.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $3.4M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Lancaster Farmland Trust:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Lancaster Farmland Trust 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.