Kiss the Ground
Kiss the Ground is a Los Angeles, California–based nonprofit whose filing type is a public charity. It promotes regeneration and healthy soil through storytelling, education, partnerships, and direct support for farmers and ranchers.
Kiss the Ground at a glance
In short: Kiss the Ground gave $306K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), top state Texas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $305,750
- +653.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- Average grant
- $16,986
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $2,784,815
- -19.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Texas (21% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Kiss the Ground
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 515381 Pmb 63508, Los Angeles, CA 90051-6681
Phone: (323) 864-5224
Website: https://kisstheground.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Kiss the Ground
Kiss the Ground Direct-to-Farmer Grants
Kiss the Ground
Amount
$500,000 total initiative (individual award amounts not specified)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Kiss the Ground Regenerating Communities Grants
Kiss the Ground
Amount
Varies by project (past awards ranged from $10,000 to $44,000)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Kiss the Ground funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Landers Family Farm ($40K). Together the top 10 received $230K.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 22 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states. By grant dollars, the largest recipient-state shares were Texas (21%), California (12%), Colorado (11%), Georgia (9%), and Wisconsin (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Kiss the Ground gives
- Giving grew 467% from 2022 to 2025. 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2021) to $306K (2025). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $306K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Landers Family Farm Cooper, TX | Farm Equipment and Supplies | $40,000 |
| Kokes Cattle Company LLC Crook, CO | Well Drilling | $35,000 |
| Vetted Farms Maxwell, TX | Farm Equipment and Supplies | $25,000 |
| Wild Type Ranch LLC Mount Horeb, WI | Farm Equipment and Supplies | $25,000 |
| Pt Ranch Ione, CA | Farm Equipment and Supplies | $20,000 |
| Nalwoodi Denzhone Strength and Beauty Community Globe, AZ | Farm Equipment and Supplies | $20,000 |
| ML Ranch LLC Red Lodge, MT | Farm Equipment and Supplies | $20,000 |
| Mud Ridge Ranch LLC Red Oak, IA | Farm Equipment and Supplies | $15,000 |
| Squeeze Citrus LLC Thomasville, GA | Farm Equipment and Supplies | $15,000 |
| Provenance Organic Farm LLC Whitehouse Station, NJ | Farm Equipment and Supplies | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Kiss the Ground?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,784,815 | $1,956,625 | $2,708,294 | $305,750 | 18 | $34,347 |
| 2024 | $3,476,470 | $3,619,111 | $2,911,205 | $40,559 | Total only | $30,168 |
| 2023 | $2,776,260 | $3,484,871 | $2,819,410 | $63,035 | Total only | $21,399 |
| 2022 | $2,111,946 | $3,241,798 | $3,478,677 | $53,900 | 3 | $12,391 |
| 2021 | $2,357,311 | $3,747,545 | $2,357,125 | $6,646 | 1 | $12,178 |
| 2020 | $1,003,166 | $2,144,294 | $1,777,745 | $232,033 | 2 | $979 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Kiss the Ground states that its mission is to awaken people to the possibilities of regeneration through awareness and education about soil health and regenerative agriculture. Its work includes producing educational and documentary content, offering courses and resources, building partnerships, and supporting farmers’ transition to regenerative practices. The organization reported that federal policy advocacy, including work related to the Farm Bill, was paused in 2025.
Its website describes equipment, infrastructure, and supplies grants for projects that directly advance regenerative practices on farmland, with awards of $10,000–$50,000. It also describes training support that covers $1,000 of in-person training tuition. The organization reported awarding 53 scholarships in 2025; these are distinct from grants to outside organizations.
Among the 2025 grantees, Nalwoodi Denzhone Strength and Beauty Community says its mission is to provide holistic education, training, and business development for the San Carlos Apache people and surrounding communities. Soul Fire Farm Institute says it furthers education and research on sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty. The Center for Agricultural Resilience says it educates individuals and organizations on the benefits of resilient ecosystems. White Buffalo Land Trust says it promotes regenerative agriculture and works to address climate, biodiversity, public health, and food security challenges.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Kiss the Ground reported 18 grants totaling $305,750. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $40,000, with a median of $15,000. The largest grants included $40,000 to Landers Family Farm for farm equipment and supplies; $35,000 to Kokes Cattle Company for well drilling; and $25,000 each to Vetted Farms and Wild Type Ranch for farm equipment and supplies.
Other notable grants included $20,000 to Nalwoodi Denzhone Strength and Beauty Community for farm equipment and supplies, $12,000 to Soul Fire Farm Institute for farmer training, and $11,000 to the Center for Agricultural Resilience for farmer training. The organization also reported providing $500,000 directly to farmers and ranchers in 2025. That program figure is separate from the $305,750 in grants reported in the filing.
The grant page says applications are closed and directs farmers to fill out its Farmer Form to stay updated on future opportunities. It describes grant projects and training support but does not specify application materials or eligibility restrictions beyond the stated program descriptions.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Evan Harrison as chief executive officer and Karen Rodriguez as chief operations officer. David Lewis became board chair in April 2025, succeeding Adrienne Callandrello, who served through April. Robert Raich became board treasurer in April 2025. Becky Cassel became board secretary in August 2025, succeeding Stephen Pfahler, who served through July. The filing also lists Patrick Brown and Ryan Chavez as directors, and Nathan Rice as communications and marketing director.
Kiss the Ground is led by Evan Harrison, Chief Executive Officer since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 3 of 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Evan Harrison
Chief Executive Officer
President & CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$71K (2022) → $285K (2025)
Adrienne Callandrello
Board Chair
Director → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Lewis
Board Chair
Board Treasurer → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Rice
Communications & Marketing Director
Marketing & Communications Director → Communications & Marketing Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$115K (2024) → $116K (2025)
Patrick Brown
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Chavez
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Rodriguez
Chief Operations Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$121K (2023) → $134K (2025)
Robert Raich
Board Treasurer
Director → Board Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Pfahler
Board Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Becky Cassel
Board Secretary
Director → Board Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Matt Wiggins (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Ryland Engelhart (2020–2024) — Co-Founder & Special Projects
- Former: Finian Makepeace (2021–2024) — Co-Founder & Special Projects
- Former: Mollie Engelhart (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Lanette Phillips (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Larry O'Connor (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Chris Lindstrom (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jessica Handy (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Katy Saeger (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Mimi Riley (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Nathalie Kelley (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kara Boyd (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Emily Puetz (2023) — Board Chair
- Former: Pedro Diniz (2023) — Director
- Former: Richard Wegman (2020–2022) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Pedro Diaz (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Rj Jain (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Kaitlyn Oliva (2021) — Vice President of Content & Education
- Former: Gareth Asten (2020) — Director
- Former: Lauren Tucker (2020) — Ex-Officio & Executive Director
- Former: Michael Gargano (2020) — Director
- Former: Mollie Angelheart (2020) — Director
- Former: Omar Brownson (2020) — Director
- Former: Tim Nett (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $285K, to Evan Harrison (Chief Executive Officer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Kiss the Ground
How much does Kiss the Ground give each year?
Kiss the Ground gave $306K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it reported $41K in grants paid.
What is Kiss the Ground's typical grant size?
Kiss the Ground's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $16,986, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Kiss the Ground give grants?
Kiss the Ground's top state is Texas, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (12%) and Colorado (11%).
Does Kiss the Ground give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Kiss the Ground's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Farm Equipment and Supplies" (12 grants) and "Farmer Training" (5 grants).
Who are Kiss the Ground's largest grantees?
Kiss the Ground's largest 2025 grantees include Landers Family Farm ($40,000), Kokes Cattle Company LLC ($35,000) and Vetted Farms ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Kiss the Ground?
Kiss the Ground reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.0M.
What does Kiss the Ground fund?
Kiss the Ground states that its mission is to awaken people to the possibilities of regeneration through awareness and education about soil health and regenerative agriculture. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kiss the Ground?
Kiss the Ground has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check kisstheground.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Kiss the Ground's EIN?
Kiss the Ground's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4507696. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- 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 November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 5, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kiss the Ground's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Kiss the Ground funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kiss-the-ground-morg_4bca0910a82f43bdb8b4481389ee034c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_464507696_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Kiss the Ground funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kiss-the-ground-morg_4bca0910a82f43bdb8b4481389ee034c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Kiss the Ground'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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