What Black Farmer Fund does
Black Farmer Fund (BFF) was started in 2017 by farmer-activists Karen Washington and Olivia Watkins. They saw that Black farmers needed access to capital that did not repeat discriminatory lending practices. Based in New York City, it serves Black-owned or majority Black-owned food businesses in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
BFF combines philanthropy and investment. Donors can give to its Fund 2.0, which provides capital to Black farmers and food entrepreneurs, or to general operations. Separately, investors can buy community notes that finance low-interest loans. BFF also offers technical support and runs a Rapid Response Fund. A community of Black farmers and food-system entrepreneurs helps govern the fund, which also has an investment committee. Its pilot fund set out to raise $500,000 and raised $1.1 million. BFF now reports more than $14 million raised and 14 businesses supported through a mix of gifts and low-interest loans.
BFF reported about $12.4 million in revenue for 2024 and has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. It accepts donations of publicly traded stock as well as online gifts.
Key facts
- More than $14M raised and 14 businesses supported with gifts and low-interest loans (BFF site)
- Its pilot fund aimed to raise $500,000 and raised $1.1M (BFF FAQ)
- Serves Black-owned food businesses in 9 Northeast states: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, NJ, NY and PA (BFF site)
- Reported $12.4M revenue and $5.6M expenses for 2024 (IRS 990 via ProPublica)
Before you give
- Donations can be directed to BFF Fund 2.0 (capital for Black farmers and food entrepreneurs), general operations, or the Black Farmer Ecosystem. Stock gifts are accepted via Pershing LLC using EIN 84-2310349 (BFF donate page).
- BFF's community notes are investments, not tax-deductible donations. They are open to accredited investors and to some unaccredited investors with lived experience in the communities BFF serves (BFF FAQ).
Common questions
Is Black Farmer Fund a legitimate charity?
Tax status: US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. It files with the IRS under EIN 84-2310349, and its annual returns are public on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer. Independent ratings — Charity Navigator: 4 of 4 stars. As with any charity, check its latest filings before a large gift.
Are donations to Black Farmer Fund tax-deductible?
US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.
Where does Black Farmer Fund work?
Black Farmer Fund works in Northeast United States (9 states). It is based in New York, NY.
How do I donate to Black Farmer Fund?
Use the Donate button on this page — it goes straight to Black Farmer Fund's own donation page on blackfarmerfund.org. randomcharity.com doesn't process payments, doesn't see your card details and takes no cut.
Sources
- projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/842310349
- charitynavigator.org/ein/842310349
- blackfarmerfund.org/
- blackfarmerfund.org/faq
- blackfarmerfund.org/donate
Profile researched and last reviewed September 2026. Ratings and figures change — the linked evaluator pages always show the current version.