Farm Aid Inc
Farm Aid Inc is a public charity based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, formed in 1985. Its mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. It supports that work through grants to nonprofit organizations, farmer-support services, advocacy and public engagement, including an annual festival.
Farm Aid Inc at a glance
In short: Farm Aid Inc gave $1.4M across 126 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), top state North Carolina. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,380,977
- +9.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 126
- +29.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $10,960
- -16.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $10,278,401
- -12.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (32 of 109, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (15% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Farm Aid Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 501 Cambridge Street 3Rd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: (617) 354-2922
Website: https://farmaid.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Farm Aid Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (Rafi) ($75K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $330K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,403), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
438 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 426 grants of 438 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Farm Aid states that its grants support organizations across the United States. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were North Carolina (15%), Indiana (7%), Massachusetts (7%), California (6%) and Georgia (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 126 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Farm Aid Inc open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 32 of 109 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $820K (2020) to $1.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 126 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Federation of Southern Cooperatives East Point, GA | FA24 EOY Grant: HFT | $35,000 |
| Appalachian Center for Economic Networks Asheville, NC | 2024 Disaster Grant: Hurricane Helene Relief | $30,000 |
| Farmers' Legal Action Group (Flag) St. Paul, MN | FA24 EOY Grant: HFT | $30,000 |
| Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (Rafi) Pittsboro, NC | Fa 2024 Disaster Assistance Grant | $30,000 |
| Appalachian Sustainable Development Duffield, VA | FA24 EOY Grant: GGFM | $20,000 |
| Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Pittsboro, NC | FA24 EOY Grant: Tacs | $20,000 |
| Center for Third World Organizing Oakland, CA | Disaster Grant to Persimmon Collective: Hurricane Helene | $20,000 |
| Georgia Organics Atlanta, GA | FA24 EOY Grant: HFT | $20,000 |
| National Family Farm Coalition Gloucester, MA | FA24 EOY Grant: Tacs | $20,000 |
| Ncabl Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) Durham, NC | FA24 EOY Grant: HFT | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Farm Aid Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10,278,401 | $4,039,327 | $5,210,917 | $1,380,977 | 126 | $391,175 |
| 2023 | $11,753,712 | $4,013,981 | $4,581,453 | $1,266,148 | 97 | $313,787 |
| 2022 | $12,312,057 | $4,720,689 | $3,568,656 | $1,151,464 | 88 | $-11,918 |
| 2021 | $10,975,275 | $10,136,843 | $2,813,738 | $968,180 | 89 | $39,535 |
| 2020 | $3,537,834 | $2,448,081 | $2,506,842 | $820,350 | 38 | $25,240 |
| 2019 | $3,496,370 | $2,901,028 | $2,625,668 | $956,043 | 93 | $24,933 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Farm Aid’s grant program supports qualifying nonprofit organizations serving family farmers in three areas: Growing the Good Food Movement, Helping Farmers Thrive, and Taking Action to Change the System. The organization describes these areas as supporting local and regional food systems and connections between farmers and consumers; resources and crisis assistance for farmers; and fair farm policies and grassroots campaigns.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Carolina Farm Stewardship Association says its mission is to help the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food through advocacy, education and connections. Georgia Organics says it invests in organic farmers for the health of communities and land. The Intertribal Agriculture Council says it works to conserve, develop and use the agricultural resources of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. The Center for Third World Organizing describes its mission as building and sustaining a racial justice movement led by communities of color.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Farm Aid reported 126 grants totaling $1,380,977. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $35,000, with a median of $10,000. Selected awards included $35,000 to the Federation of Southern Cooperatives; $30,000 each to Appalachian Center for Economic Networks, Farmers’ Legal Action Group, and Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (RAFI); and $20,000 each to Appalachian Sustainable Development, Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, Center for Third World Organizing, Georgia Organics, National Family Farm Coalition, and NCABL Land Loss Prevention Project. RAFI also received separate reported awards of $20,000 for a strategic grant and $20,000 for a Hurricane Helene phase 2 disaster grant.
Farm Aid says its grant proceeds come from its annual festival and community donors. It requires grantees to submit a final report describing accomplishments, challenges and learnings. The available information does not specify an application process, materials, restrictions for applicants, or a deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Willie Nelson as chairman and director; Lana Nelson as secretary and director; David Matthews, John Mellencamp, Mark Rothbaum, Neil Young, Annie Nelson and Margo Price as directors; Carolyn Mugar as executive director and vice president; and Glenda Yoder as assistant treasurer.
Farm Aid Inc is led by Willie Nelson, Chairman & Director on every filing since 2019; 6 of 14 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Willie Nelson
Chairman & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Mugar
Exe. Director & Vice President
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$49K (2019) → $76K (2024)
Caroline McCormick
Operations Director
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$107K (2022) → $124K (2024)
Jennifer Fahy
Communications Director
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$114K (2022) → $127K (2024)
Shorlette Ammons
Program Director
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$105K (2023) → $112K (2024)
Stephen Snyder
Development & Brand Director
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $102K (2024)
David Matthews
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Mellencamp
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lana Nelson
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Rothbaum
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Neil Young
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annie Nelson
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margo Price
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glenda Yoder
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$92K (2019) → $131K (2024)
Former officers (6)
- Former: Evelyn Shriver - Treasurer (2023) — Director
- Former: Evelyn Shriver (2019–2022) — Treasurer & Director
- Former: Joel Katz (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Richard Fields (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: David Anderson (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Paul English (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 $131K, to Glenda Yoder (Assistant Treasurer). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Farm Aid Inc
How much does Farm Aid Inc give each year?
Farm Aid Inc gave $1.4M across 126 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 97 grants.
What is Farm Aid Inc's typical grant size?
Farm Aid Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,960, across 126 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Farm Aid Inc that year got $14K on average.
Where does Farm Aid Inc give grants?
Farm Aid Inc's top state is North Carolina, with 15% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Indiana (7%) and Massachusetts (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsboro, NC (6 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants), Indianapolis, IN (3 grants) and Duffield, VA (2 grants).
Does Farm Aid Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 126 grants with a stated purpose on Farm Aid Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "FA24 EOY Grant: HFT" (43 grants), "FA24 EOY Grant: Tacs" (27 grants) and "FA24 EOY Grant: GGFM" (14 grants).
Who are Farm Aid Inc's largest grantees?
Farm Aid Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA (Rafi) ($75,000 across 4 grants), Appalachian Center for Economic Networks ($40,000 across 2 grants) and The Federation of Southern Cooperatives ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($5,403), which are not listed by name. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Farm Aid Inc?
Farm Aid Inc reported $10.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.0M.
What does Farm Aid Inc fund?
Farm Aid’s grant program supports qualifying nonprofit organizations serving family farmers in three areas: Growing the Good Food Movement, Helping Farmers Thrive, and Taking Action to Change the System. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Farm Aid Inc?
Farm Aid Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check farmaid.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Farm Aid Inc's EIN?
Farm Aid Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3383233. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS December 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 23, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Farm Aid Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Farm Aid Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/farm-aid-inc-morg_9efb451dbd174d1884dc7933d6eba4ec
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363383233_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Farm Aid Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/farm-aid-inc-morg_9efb451dbd174d1884dc7933d6eba4ec},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Farm Aid Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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