Farm Aid Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to supporting American family farmers and ranchers. Established in 1985, Farm Aid works year-round to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. The organization operates through grant funding, public education, activism, and an annual music festival that brings together farmers, artists, and concerned citizens to support the cause.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.3M
-12.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
+9.1% YoY
Grant Count
126
+29.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-16.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. The organization accomplishes this mission by:
- Promoting Food from Family Farms — Through annual concert events, television, radio, mail, and web campaigns to build a movement for good food from family farms
- Growing the Good Food Movement — Creating more markets for family farmers by fostering connections between farmers and eaters, and working to get family farm food into urban neighborhoods, grocery stores, restaurants, schools, and other public institutions
- Helping Farmers in Crisis — Operating a hotline and extensive network of rural support organizations to provide immediate assistance to farmers facing challenges such as pandemic impacts, market consolidation, extreme weather, rising costs, and market changes
- Advocating for Policy Change — Taking action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promoting fair policies that benefit farmers and ranchers
Grantmaking
Farm Aid distributes grants to support family farmers and agricultural initiatives. Recent grant activity includes:
Ready to take the next step with Farm Aid Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Farm Aid's grant-making and support activities focus primarily on North Carolina, Indiana, and Massachusetts. In 2022, the organization received over 800 requests for help, with the majority coming from the South and Midwest regions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $11.8 million
- Total Revenue: $4.01 million
- Total Expenses: $4.58 million
- Total Liabilities: $728,000
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $10,278,401
- Total Giving: $1,453,137
Farm Aid has raised more than $90 million since its founding in 1985 to support programs that help farmers thrive.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,278,401 | $11,753,712 | $12,312,057 |
| Revenue | $4,039,327 | $4,013,981 | $4,720,689 |
| Expenses | $5,210,917 | $4,581,453 | $3,568,656 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $391,175 | $313,787 | $-11,918 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
238 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Appalachian Center for Economic Networks ($30,000), Farmers' Legal Action Group (flag) ($30,000), Appalachian Sustainable Development ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACCELERATING AGRICULTURE MIDWAY, KY | 2024 DISASTER GRANT: HURRICANE HELENE HAYLIFT FOR NC FARMERS | $10,000 |
| AGRICULTURAL JUSTICE PROJECT TURNERS FALLS, MA | FA24 EOY GRANT: HFT | $10,000 |
| AGRICULTURE AND LAND-BASED TRAINING ASSOCIATION (ALBA) SALINAS, CA | FA24 EOY GRANT: HFT | $10,000 |
| ALABAMA SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE NETWORK BIRMINGHAM, AL | FA24 EOY GRANT: HFT | $10,000 |
| APPALACHIAN CENTER FOR ECONOMIC NETWORKS RACINE, OH | FA24 EOY GRANT: GGFM | $10,000 |
| APPALACHIAN RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL JOHNSON CITY, TN | 2024 FA DISASTER GRANT: HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF | $10,000 |
| APPALACHIAN CENTER FOR ECONOMIC NETWORKS ASHEVILLE, NC | 2024 DISASTER GRANT: HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF | $30,000 |
| APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DUFFIELD, VA | FA24 EOY GRANT: GGFM | $20,000 |
| APPALACHIAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DUFFIELD, VA | DISASTER GRANT- HURRICANE HELENE | $10,000 |
| BLACK FARMER FUND NEW YORK, NY | FA24 EOY GRANT: HFT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Co-Executive Director: Jennifer Fahy (also Assistant Treasurer)
- Co-Executive Director: Shorlette Ammons
- Board Members: Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Margo Price, and Nathaniel Rateliff (joined in 2026)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIE NELSON | CHAIRMAN/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LANA NELSON | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DAVID MATTHEWS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN MELLENCAMP | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK ROTHBAUM | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NEIL YOUNG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANNIE NELSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARGO PRICE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CAROLYN MUGAR | EXE. DIRECTOR & VICE PRESIDENT | 20 | $75,505 |
| GLENDA YODER | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 35 | $130,831 |
| JENNIFER FAHY | COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR | 35 | $126,627 |
| CAROLINE MCCORMICK | OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | 35 | $123,984 |
| SHORLETTE AMMONS | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 35 | $111,985 |
| STEPHEN SNYDER | DEVELOPMENT & BRAND DIRECTOR | 35 | $102,292 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Farm Aid distributed more than $1.3 million in 2025 grants, marking 40 years of commitment to family farmers
Farm Aid gives $1.3 million in annual grants, marking 40 years of commitmentNathaniel Rateliff joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2026
The organization continues to receive hundreds of requests for assistance annually through its hotline and network of farm advocates
Farm Aid has increased resources in its Farmer Resource Network and improved accessibility to support farmers facing various challenges
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Farm Aid Inc fund?
Farm Aid's mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. The organization accomplishes this mission by: • **Promoting Food from Family Farms** — Through annual concert events, television, radio, mail, and web campaigns to build a movement for good food from family farms • **Growing the Good Food Movement** — Creating more markets for family farmers by fostering connections between farmers and eaters, and working to get family farm food into urban neighbor…
How do I apply for a grant from Farm Aid Inc?
Farm Aid distributes grants to support family farmers and agricultural initiatives. Recent grant activity includes: • **2025 Grants**: Distributed more than $1.3 million in grants • **2024 Grants**: Distributed nearly $1.5 million in grants • **Typical Award Range**: $500–$90,000 • **Focus Areas**: Beekeeping, organic farming and agriculture, agricultural education, food safety, and renewable energy The organization maintains a Farmer Resource Network database of over 1,500 resources, connectin…
Where does Farm Aid Inc make grants?
Farm Aid's grant-making and support activities focus primarily on North Carolina, Indiana, and Massachusetts. In 2022, the organization received over 800 requests for help, with the majority coming from the South and Midwest regions.
What size grants does Farm Aid Inc award?
In 2024, Farm Aid Inc awarded 126 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Farm Aid Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Conservation Food and Health Foundation
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$14.6M
Grants
49
Total Given
$2.2M
Charles J Tasker Memorial Scholarship Fund
HANOVER, MA
Assets
$98K
Grants
1
Total Given
$8K
The Bulens Family Foundation
WELLESLEY, MA
Assets
$3.0M
Grants
68
Total Given
$956K
Marshall M & Barbara J Sloane Pvt Found
CHESTNUT HILL, MA
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
11
Total Given
$75K
John J Mcardle Iii & Joan C Mcardle
ANDOVER, MA
Assets
$1.8M
Grants
13
Total Given
$205K
Massachusetts Association of Realtors
FOXBOROUGH, MA
Assets
$18.1M
Grants
2
Total Given
$71K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Farm Aid Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Farm Aid Inc to a real strategy.