Fresh Approach
The mission of Fresh Approach is to create long-term change in local food systems by connecting California communities with healthy food from California farmers and expanding knowledge about food and nutrition.
Fresh Approach at a glance
In short: Fresh Approach gave $80K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $20K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $80,189
- -82.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- -55.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,047
- -59.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $11,629
- Total assets
- $2,142,652
- +28.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Fresh Approach funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Spade and Plow ($52K). Together the top 4 received $80K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 22 (59%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2024) to $604K (2022). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $80K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Spade and Plow San Martin, CA | Santa Clara County Direct Food Assistance | $51,840 |
| Pie Ranch Pescadero, CA | Food Distribution Program | $12,000 |
| Center for Land Based Learning Woodland, CA | Food Distribution Program | $11,257 |
| Butte County Local Food Network Chico, CA | CDFA Stimulus Assistance | $5,092 |
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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 | $2,142,652 | $3,389,179 | $3,019,528 | $80,189 | 4 | $10,296 |
| 2023 | $1,673,724 | $2,827,689 | $3,125,955 | $445,291 | 9 | $9,982 |
| 2022 | $1,880,574 | $3,006,594 | $2,820,648 | $603,680 | 9 | $2,545 |
| 2021 | $1,540,287 | $2,423,475 | $2,140,052 | — | — | $200 |
| 2020 | $1,215,732 | $3,604,632 | $3,341,315 | — | — | $392 |
About Fresh Approach
Based on IRS filings
Fresh Approach is a public charity focused on Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, based in Concord, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $80K. Net investment income was $10K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Fresh Approach is led by Laura De Tar, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Laura De Tar
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$90K (2020) → $115K (2024)
McKinley Baker
Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair & Board Member, 2023
Vice Chair & Board Member → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renee Shepherd
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allen Moy
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie Conrad
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Petros Maskal
Vice Chair
Board Member → Secretary & Board Member, 2023
Secretary & Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ed Chan
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne Yu
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Silva
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Veronica Mazariegos-Anastassiou (2021–2023) — Chair
- Former: Christina Stork (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Janet Venturino (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Lucy Norris (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Patrick Fabian (2020–2022) — 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 $115K, to Laura De Tar (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Fresh Approach
How much does Fresh Approach give each year?
Fresh Approach gave $80K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $445K across 9 grants.
What is Fresh Approach's typical grant size?
Fresh Approach's median grant in 2024 was $11,629, and its average grant was $20,047, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Fresh Approach give grants?
Fresh Approach gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does Fresh Approach give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Fresh Approach's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Fresh Approach?
Fresh Approach reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.4M.
What is Fresh Approach?
Fresh Approach is a public charity focused on Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, based in Concord, CA. It holds $2.1M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Fresh Approach's EIN?
Fresh Approach's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2438206. 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
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 24, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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