Black Farmer Fund Inc
This mission of Black Farmer Fund is to build community wealth & health by investing in black agricultural businesses of the northeast.
Black Farmer Fund Inc at a glance
In short: Black Farmer Fund Inc gave $2.3M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $377K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,259,500
- +1154.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $376,583
- +945.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $325,000
- Total assets
- $26,511,647
- +41.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (92% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Black Farmer Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Edenesque ($650K). Together the top 6 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
34 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 34 (59%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Black Farmer Fund Inc gives
- Giving grew 356% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $172K (2022) to $2.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Edenesque Buffalo, NY | BFF 2.0 Grants | $650,000 |
| Paradise Express Ferry New York, NY | BFF2.0 Grants | $625,000 |
| Sweetwater Holdings Winchester, NY | BFF2.0 Grants | $400,000 |
| Nourrir Drinks Bronx, NY | BFF2.0 Grants | $250,000 |
| Global Village Foods Hartford, VT | BFF 2.0 Grants | $187,500 |
| Brooklyn Packers Brooklyn, NY | BFF2.0 Grants | $147,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $26,511,647 | $12,437,329 | $5,573,984 | $2,259,500 | 6 | $743,456 |
| 2023 | $18,705,526 | $5,830,704 | $2,346,938 | $180,091 | 5 | $164,745 |
| 2022 | $6,823,672 | $5,574,978 | $1,764,609 | $171,859 | 13 | $12,684 |
| 2021 | $2,845,730 | $2,824,891 | $1,196,372 | $495,500 | 10 | $1,674 |
| 2020 | $1,195,670 | $1,373,245 | $179,823 | — | — | — |
About Black Farmer Fund Inc
Based on IRS filings
Black Farmer Fund Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in New York, NY. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $26.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $2.3M. Net investment income was $743K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Black Farmer Fund Inc is led by Olivia Watkins, Co-Executive Director & Treasurer since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Olivia Watkins
Co-Executive Director & Treasurer
Co-Founder & President → President & Treasurer, 2022
President & Treasurer → Co-Executive Director & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$27K (2020) → $142K (2024)
Melanie Allen
Co-Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$150K (2023) → $120K (2024)
Karen Washington
Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Wade
Investment Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$168K (2024)
Janet Gumbs
Finance Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$100K (2024)
Makaelia Davis
Board Director
Board Member → Board Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Onika Abraham
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rhyston Mays
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victoria Van Amson
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ribka Getachew
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Dennis Derryck (2020) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $168K, to Charles Wade (Investment Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Black Farmer Fund Inc
How much does Black Farmer Fund Inc give each year?
Black Farmer Fund Inc gave $2.3M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $180K across 5 grants.
What is Black Farmer Fund Inc's typical grant size?
Black Farmer Fund Inc's median grant in 2024 was $325,000, and its average grant was $376,583, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Black Farmer Fund Inc give grants?
Black Farmer Fund Inc gives mostly in New York: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Vermont (8%).
Does Black Farmer Fund Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Black Farmer Fund Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "BFF2.0 Grants" (4 grants).
Who are Black Farmer Fund Inc's largest grantees?
Black Farmer Fund Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Edenesque ($650,000), Paradise Express Ferry ($625,000) and Sweetwater Holdings ($400,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Black Farmer Fund Inc?
Black Farmer Fund Inc reported $26.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.4M.
What is Black Farmer Fund Inc?
Black Farmer Fund Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in New York, NY. It holds $26.5M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Black Farmer Fund Inc's EIN?
Black Farmer Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-2310349. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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