Better Business Bureau

Charity Contact Information BBB Wise Giving Alliance Comments Programs

Tax Status Governance Fund Raising Financial

Name:	American Farmland Trust
Address:	1200 18th Street NW, Suite 800
	Washington, DC 20036
Phone:	202-331-7300 800-886-5170
Web Address:	www.farmland.org

AFT meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

AFT operates three key programs. Through its agriculture and environment program, the organization helps the nation’s farmers and ranchers address environmental issues while exploring economic opportunities to produce “ecosystem services.” Its “growing local” program works with farmers and communities to improve the outlook for local agriculture and to meet the demand for local food. AFT’s farmland protection program is focused on saving farm and ranch land across America. Experts at AFT’s Farmland Information Center translate research into advice for policymakers and advocates. Furthermore, the organization’s Center for Agriculture in the Environment helps farmers use integrated pest management practices that reduce chemical use. AFT reports that through its partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, it has helped more than 9,000 farmers on over 657,000 acres reduce their use of pesticides by 30 to 50 percent while remaining profitable. Some ($734,882 or 11%) of AFT's programs are conducted in conjunction with fund raising appeals.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, AFT's program expenses were:

State and local programs	4,946,763
Public education	734,882
Communications and media outreach	591,269
Other programs	155,126
Research	80,710
Federal policy	67,341
Total Program Expenses:	$6,576,091

Chief Executive : Jon Scholl, President

Compensation*:

$258,496

Chair of the Board: Miranda M. Kaiser
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Rancher

Board Size: 21

Paid Staff Size: 50

* October 1, 2009 - September 30, 2010 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:

Direct mail, telemarketing, special events, print advertisements, grant proposals, Internet appeals, planned giving, cause-related marketing, and membership appeals.

Fund raising costs were 25% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $6,636,096, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)

AFT incurred joint costs of $1,190,670 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs, $734,882 was allocated to program expenses and $455,788 was allocated to fund raising expenses.

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.

The following information is based on AFT's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

Source of Funds
Individual contributions	2,862,788
Government grants	1,151,394
Foundation grants	1,143,799
Bequests	949,629
Investment return designated for operations	872,623
Other grants and contracts	374,986
Rental income	162,731
Corporate grants	153,500
Other income, gains, and losses	-438,040
Total Income	$7,233,410

Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 77%  Fund Raising: 19%  Administrative: 4%

Total income				$7,233,410
	Program expenses			$6,576,091
	Fund raising expenses			1,668,616
	Administrative expenses			361,170
Total expenses				$8,605,877
Expenses in Excess of Income				(1,372,467)
Beginning net assets				19,077,360
Other Changes in Net Assets				(323,774)
Ending net assets				17,381,119
Total liabilities				1,137,443
Total assets				$18,518,562

Note: In the above financial summary, "other changes in net assets" represents investment return in deficit of spending rate ($-271,373) and change in value of split-interest agreement ($-52,401).