National Farmers Union Foundation
The National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) is a Washington, DC–based public charity that supports education and engagement programs related to family agriculture, agricultural leadership, and rural communities. Established in 1998, it has supported learning opportunities for farmers, students, and other participants, including leadership programs, conferences, and cooperative education.
Key facts about National Farmers Union Foundation
In short: National Farmers Union Foundation gave $425K across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $25K), top state Alabama. 12% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 31-1582315
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $424,821
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- Average grant
- $24,989
- Median grant
- $17,961
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (2 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Total assets
- $1,523,723
- Primary geography
- Alabama (15% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- A project document described a proposal process for one Local Food Safety Collaborative contract in the 2025–2026 project year, with proposals reviewed on a rolling basis. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Next open deadline
- November 8, 2026 (Women's Conference Scholarship)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5M
+250.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$425K
+72.1% YoY
Grant Count
17
+30.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$25K
+31.6% YoY
Is National Farmers Union Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 17 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $18K 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
NFUF states that its mission is to empower people to educate youth, neighbors, media, and policymakers about the social, economic, and cooperative contributions of family agriculture. Its stated programs include the Local Food Safety Collaborative, the Collegiate Conference on Cooperatives, the Women’s Conference, and the Beginning Farmers Institute.
The 2024 grants listed in the filing were for assistance with food-safety training. Recipients included organizations with varied missions. For example, Iowa Farmers Union says its mission is to strengthen independent family farms through education, legislation, and cooperation; Carolina Farm Stewardship Association says it works to help the Carolinas grow and eat local, organic food; and Tilth Alliance says it seeks to build an ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially equitable food system.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, NFUF reported 17 grants totaling $424,821. Grants ranged from $5,485 to $64,809, with a median of $17,961. The listed grants were for assistance with food-safety training.
Among the largest awards were $64,809 to Cornell University, $50,830 to The United Christian Community Association, $46,332 to Iowa Farmers Union, $33,592 to Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, and $32,802 to Lean & Clean LLC. Other listed awards included $31,683 to Kentucky Horticulture Council, $28,574 to Montana Farmers Union, and $25,000 to Hawaii Farmers Union.
How to Apply
A project document described a proposal process for one Local Food Safety Collaborative contract in the 2025–2026 project year, with proposals reviewed on a rolling basis. That project year ended August 31, 2026, so this is not a current application cycle.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from National Farmers Union Foundation
Ready to take the next step with National Farmers Union Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares were Alabama and New York at 15% each, Iowa at 11%, and North Carolina and Georgia at 8% each.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $82K (2020) to $1.0M (2019). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $425K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cornell University ($65K). Together the top 10 received $348K.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 64 grants of 72 (89%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | Assistance with Food Safety Training | $64,809 |
| The United Christian Community Assoc Safford, AL | Assistance with Food Safety Training | $50,830 |
| Iowa Farmers Union Ames, IA | Assistance with Food Safety Training | $46,332 |
| Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Pittsboro, NC | Assistance with Food Safety Training | $33,592 |
| Lean & Clean LLC Athens, GA | Assistance with Food Safety Training | $32,802 |
| Kentucky Horticulture Council Lexington, KY | Assistance with Food Safety Training | $31,683 |
| Montana Farmers Union Great Falls, MT | Assistance with Food Safety Training | $28,574 |
| Hawaii Farmers Union Honokaa, HI | Assistance with Food Safety Training | $25,000 |
| Tilth Alliance Seattle, WA | Assistance with Food Safety Training | $17,961 |
| Keep Growing Detroit Detroit, MI | Assistance with Food Safety Training | $16,181 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,523,723 | $1,349,186 | $1,308,584 | $424,821 |
| 2023 | $434,874 | $1,118,694 | $1,226,884 | $246,875 |
| 2022 | $552,036 | $1,287,805 | $1,317,920 | $465,454 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,523,723 | $434,874 | $552,036 |
| Revenue | $1,349,186 | $1,118,694 | $1,287,805 |
| Expenses | $1,308,584 | $1,226,884 | $1,317,920 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,634 | $3,112 | $3,513 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 9, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 25, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert Larew as president, Jeffrey Kippley as vice president, Doug Sombke as treasurer, and Darin Von Ruden as secretary. It lists Aaron Lehman, Donn Teske, Gary Wertish, John Hansen, Roger Noonan, and Mark Watne as board members.
National Farmers Union Foundation is led by Robert Larew, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 16 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert Larew
President
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Lehman
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darin Von Ruden
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Sombke
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ethan Whitmore
Vice President of Finance, Bus. Devt & Dep.gen. Counsel
Vice President of Operations → Vice President of Finance, Bus. Devt & Dep.gen. Counsel, 2024
On filings since 2019
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Wertish
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Hansen
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Watne
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roger Noonan
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Blubaugh
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Velde
General Counsel
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Walter Schweitzer
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donn Teske
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chad Franke
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brittany Jablonsky
Chief of Staff
New on the 2024 filing
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Kippley
Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Jeffery Kippley (2022–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Dale McCall (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Patricia Edelburg (2022) — Vice President
- Former: Rick Adamski (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Patty Edelburg (2019–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Martha Dale See Sched O. (2021) — Director & Finance
- Former: Martha Dale (2019–2020) — Director & Finance
- Former: Roger Johnson (2019–2020) — President
- Former: Rob Larew (2020) — President
- Former: Alan Merrill (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Dave Velde (2019) — General Counsel
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 20 F Street Nw 300, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 554-1600
Website: https://nfu.org
Frequently asked questions about National Farmers Union Foundation
How much does National Farmers Union Foundation give each year?
National Farmers Union Foundation gave $425K across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $247K across 13 grants.
What is National Farmers Union Foundation's typical grant size?
National Farmers Union Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,961, and its average grant was $24,989, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from National Farmers Union Foundation that year got $19K on average.
Where does National Farmers Union Foundation give grants?
National Farmers Union Foundation's top state is Alabama, with 15% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (15%) and Iowa (11%).
Does National Farmers Union Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on National Farmers Union Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Assistance with Food Safety Training" (17 grants).
Who are National Farmers Union Foundation's largest grantees?
National Farmers Union Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cornell University ($64,809), The United Christian Community Assoc ($50,830) and Iowa Farmers Union ($46,332), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is National Farmers Union Foundation?
National Farmers Union Foundation reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.3M.
What does National Farmers Union Foundation fund?
NFUF states that its mission is to empower people to educate youth, neighbors, media, and policymakers about the social, economic, and cooperative contributions of family agriculture. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from National Farmers Union Foundation?
A project document described a proposal process for one Local Food Safety Collaborative contract in the 2025–2026 project year, with proposals reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is National Farmers Union Foundation's EIN?
National Farmers Union Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1582315. 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.
Here's the math on researching National Farmers Union Foundation by hand.
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