STRATEGY STUDIO / PUBLIC DATA EXPLORER

THE UTOPIAN SEED PROJECT INC

Cite this

Plain text THE UTOPIAN SEED PROJECT INC. Strategy Studio, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2020–2025. https://strategystudio.org/org/833696014. Retrieved 2026-10-20.

APA Strategy Studio. (n.d.). THE UTOPIAN SEED PROJECT INC [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2020–2025]. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://strategystudio.org/org/833696014

MLA “THE UTOPIAN SEED PROJECT INC.” Strategy Studio, tax years 2020–2025, https://strategystudio.org/org/833696014. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-20; covers tax years 2020–2025. Data: Strategy Studio, CC BY 4.0.

2025 · Form 990 · revenue $880K · expenses $528K · assets $661K

EIN
83-3696014
Address
243 HAYWOOD ST, ASHEVILLE, NC 28801-2618
Website
https://theutopianseedproject.org
NTEE code
K05
Subsection
501(c)(3)
Ruling year
2020
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

Our mission is to cultivate, research, and celebrate resiliency in food and farming via crop diversity. Through innovative practices, education, and collaboration, we aim to build a thriving culture of seed sovereignty and agrobiodiversity.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

1 person paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Chris Smith Executive Director2020-2025 $84,325$395,263 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

15 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Yanna Fishman Chair2020-2025 8 $0 reported 1
Jamie Swofford Treasurer2021-2025 6 $0 reported 1
Jacob Rutz Secretary2020-2025 3 $0 reported 1
Jay Bost Board Member2022-2025 5 $0 reported 1
Luis Martinez Board Member2024-2025 3 $0 reported 1
Shelby Mandonado Board Member2024-2025 3 $0 reported 1
Asheligh Shanti (former) Board Member2022-2023 0 $0 reported 1
Tamarya Simms (former) Board Member2022-2023 0 $0 reported 1
Brandon Ruiz (former) Board Member2020-2023 0 $0 reported 1
Terri Terrell (former) Board Member2022 3 $0 reported 1
Ashleigh Shanti (former) Board Member2020-2021 1 $0 reported 1
Terri Terell (former) Board member2021 1 $0 reported 1
Carol Koury (former) Chairperson2020 3 $0 reported 1
Jamie Swafford (former) Treasurer2020 3 $0 reported 1
Eric Cohen (former) Board Member2020 1 $0 reported 1

People by year

2025 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $84K · 4 employees · 10 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Chris Smith Executive Director40 $81,869$0$2,456 $84,3251
Yanna Fishman Chair8 $0$0$0 $01
Jamie Swofford Treasurer6 $0$0$0 $01
Jacob Rutz Secretary3 $0$0$0 $01
Jay Bost Board Member5 $0$0$0 $01
Luis Martinez Board Member3 $0$0$0 $01
Shelby Mandonado Board Member3 $0$0$0 $01
2024 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $72K · 6 employees · 5 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Chris Smith Executive Director40 $72,068$0$0 $72,0681
Yanna Fishman Chair8 $0$0$0 $01
Jamie Swofford Treasurer6 $0$0$0 $01
Jacob Rutz Secretary3 $0$0$0 $01
Jay Bost Board Member5 $0$0$0 $01
Luis Martinez Board Member3 $0$0$0 $01
Shelby Mandonado Board Member3 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 8 people listed · 1 paid, $70K · 5 employees · 20 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Chris Smith Executive Director40 $64,039$0$5,600 $69,6391
Yanna Fishman Chair5 $0$0$0 $01
Jamie Swofford Treasurer2 $0$0$0 $01
Jacob Rutz Secretary2 $0$0$0 $01
Asheligh Shanti Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Tamarya Simms Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
Jay Bost Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Brandon Ruiz Board Member0 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 9 people listed · 1 paid, $63K · 2 employees · 25 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Chris Smith Executive Director40 $63,200$0$0 $63,2001
Yanna Fishman Chair5 $0$0$0 $01
Jamie Swofford Treasurer3 $0$0$0 $01
Jacob Rutz Secretary2 $0$0$0 $01
Asheligh Shanti Board Member1 $0$0$0 $01
Tamarya Simms Board Member1 $0$0$0 $01
Jay Bost Board Member2 $0$0$0 $01
Brandon Ruiz Board Member1 $0$0$0 $01
Terri Terrell Board Member3 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $58K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Chris Smith Executive Director40 $58,365-$0 $58,3651
Yanna Fishman Acting Chair3 $0-$0 $01
Jamie Swofford Treasurer3 $0-$0 $01
Jacob Rutz Acting Secretary1 $0-$0 $01
Ashleigh Shanti Board Member1 $0-$0 $01
Brandon Ruiz Board Member3 $0-$0 $01
Terri Terell Board member1 $0-$0 $01
2020 · 8 people listed · 1 paid, $48K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Chris Smith Executive Director40 $47,666-$0 $47,6661
Carol Koury Chairperson3 $0-$0 $01
Yanna Fishman Secretary3 $0-$0 $01
Jamie Swafford Treasurer3 $0-$0 $01
Brandon Ruiz Board Member1 $0-$0 $01
Eric Cohen Board Member1 $0-$0 $01
Jacob Rutz Board Member1 $0-$0 $01
Ashleigh Shanti Board Member1 $0-$0 $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

No independent contractors reported.

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2025 · Form 990 period ending 2025-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$879,795$527,669 $660,719$654,252 $816,625$51,451 $81,869410
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$400,975$311,316 $303,489$302,126 $362,873$33,685 $72,06865
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$235,852$232,693 $0$0 $221,526$17,903 $64,039520
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$281,578$174,885 $209,416$209,310 $252,584$16,323 $63,200225
2021 · Form 990EZ period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$128,732$128,102 $52,192$52,192 $119,927$0 ---
2020 · Form 990EZ period ending 2020-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$91,869$71,134 $52,111$51,562 $70,056$0 ---

Funders of this organization

8 grantors reported grants to this organization, $229,998 in all, tax years 2020 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA INC DAF sponsor Exact 2020-2022, 2024 4$163,250 2024$27,250
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DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor Exact 2022 1$21,000 2022$21,000
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IDA AND ROBERT GORDON FAMILY FOUNDATION INC Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “THE UTOPIAN SEED PROJECT INC” 2024 1$15,000 2024$15,000
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AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION DAF sponsor Exact 2022-2023 2$15,000 2023$10,000
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RAYMOND JAMES CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT FUND DAF sponsor Exact 2024 1$9,999 2024$9,999
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CLIF BAR FAMILY FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “THE UTOPIAN SEED PROJECT INC” 2021 1$3,500 2021$3,500
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THE NELL NEWMAN FOUNDATION INC Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “THE UTOPIAN SEED PROJECT INC” 2021 1$2,000 2021$2,000
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AMAZONSMILE FOUNDATION Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “THE UTOPIAN SEED PROJECT INC” 2021-2023 3$249 2023$58
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Similar organizations

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
REAP FOOD GROUP INCWIK05 $1,035,613$1,167,515 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$89,465 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
MASSACHUSETTS INDEPENDENT CERTIFICATION INCMAK05 $1,627,127$1,590,160 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$110,497 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
KIMMEL ORCHARD & VINEYARD EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INCNEK05 $1,168,579$1,450,993 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
INC NUTRITION RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATIONCAK05 $602,351$490,759 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$146,190 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
FUTURE HARVEST INCMDK05 $1,202,479$1,339,433 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$114,505 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
EXCELLENCE THROUGH STEWARDSHIPDCK05 $633,620$594,629 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$252,348 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
SAM DAY FOUNDATIONORK05 $1,461,840$1,201,877 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$79,722 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
NORTHWEST BERRY FOUNDATIONORK05 $653,206$587,443 Executive Dir.$77,061 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
GLOBAL ACTION RESEARCH CENTERCAK05 $956,286$828,829 President / CEO$119,333 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
COTTON FOUNDATIONTNK05 $1,252,489$1,355,117 EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT$528,276 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
OAKLAND INSTITUTECAK05 $676,416$647,241 Executive Director$160,000 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
DETROIT FOOD POLICY COUNCILMIK05 $502,338$379,931 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$80,850 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTING NETWORKNYK05 $1,304,394$1,503,629 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF$148,464 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
ZOOLOGY FOUNDATION AT CROOKED WILLOW FARMSTXK05 $632,445$1,274,511 SANCTUARY MANAGER$84,648 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 2x
SSAFE INCNCK05 $200,000$217,639 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x, same state
GYPSY MOTH SLOW THE SPREAD FOUNDATION INCNCK05 $3,476,677$3,476,679 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x, same state
PROJECT APIS MUTK05 $2,303,375$2,313,715 EXECUTIVE DI$168,115 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT INCDEK05 $2,877,200$2,579,504 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$172,526 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x
FARM-TO-POWER INCIAK05 $3,750,000$3,045,221 TREASURER$73,871 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x
GLOBAL FOOD PROTECTION INSTITUTEMIK05 $3,359,095$3,226,018 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$289,484 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x
FOOD DISTRIBUTION RESEARCH SOCIETY INCFLK05 $191,251$110,939 Treasurer$0 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x
ESSENTIAL IMPACT INCCAK05 $437,155$1,030,725 MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, VICE PRESIDENT,$150,994 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x
OKLAHOMA GENETICS INCOKK05 $2,204,800$1,527,329 CHAIRMAN$0 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x
WESTON A PRICE FOUNDATIONVAK05 $2,489,960$2,704,681 BOARD MEMBER$60,000 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x
HAWAII FOOD TECHNOLOGY CENTERHIK05 $187,518$147,316 Board Member$16,050 Same NTEE code K05, revenue within 5x

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
GATES FOUNDATION Private foundation$74,943,24283 32011–2024 INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE; COMMITTEE ON SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT; CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
COLUMBUS FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$50,067,35028 22012–2023 FOOD & WATER WATCH; SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT INC
GREATER KANSAS CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$49,362,63521 32011–2024 FOOD & WATER WATCH; SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT INC; FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTING NETWORK
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$45,450,50038 52011–2024 FOOD & WATER WATCH; SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT INC; OAKLAND INSTITUTE; FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTING NETWORK and 1 more
W K KELLOGG FOUNDATION Private foundation$26,078,71778 32009–2024 FAIR FOOD NETWORK; GLOBAL FOOD PROTECTION INSTITUTE; DETROIT FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
BLOOMBERG FAMILY FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$25,790,0005 12020–2024 CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor$16,652,55018 72016–2024 CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST; FOOD & WATER WATCH; WESTON A PRICE FOUNDATION; SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT INC and 3 more
JOHN D & CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION Private foundation$15,273,60010 32010–2023 INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE; FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTING NETWORK; CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
SANTA BARBARA FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$9,601,30011 22014–2023 FOOD & WATER WATCH; SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT INC
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$7,850,15864 162016–2024 CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST; FAIR FOOD NETWORK; FOOD & WATER WATCH; WESTON A PRICE FOUNDATION and 12 more
THE SCHMIDT FAMILY FOUNDATION Private foundation$7,315,00018 52019–2024 FOOD & WATER WATCH; FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT REPORTING NETWORK; OAKLAND INSTITUTE; SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AGRICULTURE PROJECT INC and 1 more
WELLSPRING PHILANTROPIC FUND INC Private foundation$4,852,09212 12016–2023 INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING funds this one DAF sponsor$4,125,56758 122014–2024 CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST; GROW FOOD; FOOD & WATER WATCH; CCOF FOUNDATION and 8 more
NEW TAMARIND FOUNDATION Private foundation$3,950,2871 12023–2023 FOOD & WATER WATCH
The Partridge Foundation Private foundation$3,879,9684 12010–2016 FAIR FOOD NETWORK

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2025 · Form 990 · $527,669 spent · pay $283,103 · grants $3,100 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $172,320$146,976$25,344$0 32.7%
All other expenses $101,193$93,144$6,330$1,719 19.2%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $81,869$61,869$20,000$0 15.5%
Fees: other services $78,284$76,721$1,563$0 14.8%
Payroll taxes $21,407$17,922$3,485$0 4.1%
Fees: accounting $18,212$0$18,212$0 3.5%
Depreciation and depletion $17,677$17,677$0$0 3.4%
Occupancy $14,850$14,000$850$0 2.8%
Pension plan contributions $7,507$5,177$2,330$0 1.4%
Travel $4,731$3,556$1,065$110 0.9%
Advertising and promotion $4,325$3,831$348$146 0.8%
Grants to US individuals $2,750$2,750-- 0.5%
Information technology $2,194$843$1,351$0 0.4%
Grants to US organizations and governments $350$350-- 0.1%
Total$527,669100%

View the filing

2024 · Form 990 · $311,316 spent · pay $190,257 · grants $500 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $101,990$91,925$10,065$0 32.8%
All other expenses $88,877$82,552$5,978$347 28.5%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $72,068$58,068$14,000$0 23.1%
Fees: accounting $13,658$0$13,658$0 4.4%
Payroll taxes $13,542$11,175$2,367$0 4.3%
Travel or entertainment for public officials $8,091$7,398$526$167 2.6%
Insurance $4,668$3,628$1,040$0 1.5%
Pension plan contributions $2,657$1,618$1,039$0 0.9%
Depreciation and depletion $2,313$2,313$0$0 0.7%
Information technology $1,767$739$1,028$0 0.6%
Advertising and promotion $732$416$316$0 0.2%
Grants to US individuals $500$500-- 0.2%
Occupancy $403$0$403$0 0.1%
Fees: other services $50$0$50$0 0.0%
Total$311,316100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $232,693 spent · pay $124,117 · grants $3,000 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
All other expenses $64,711$60,292$4,419$0 27.8%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $64,039$57,075$6,964$0 27.5%
Other salaries and wages $45,509$45,509$0$0 19.6%
Depreciation and depletion $17,887$17,887$0$0 7.7%
Fees: accounting $11,488$11,488$0$0 4.9%
Payroll taxes $8,969$8,432$537$0 3.9%
Other employee benefits $5,600$5,600$0$0 2.4%
Travel $5,198$4,774$424$0 2.2%
Insurance $3,818$2,839$979$0 1.6%
Grants to US organizations and governments $3,000$3,000-- 1.3%
Advertising and promotion $864$230$634$0 0.4%
Information technology $860$276$584$0 0.4%
Occupancy $750$0$750$0 0.3%
Total$232,693100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $174,885 spent · pay $77,698 · grants $0 · events $1,932
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
All other expenses $76,083$73,062$3,021$0 43.5%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $63,200$56,880$6,320$0 36.1%
Other salaries and wages $9,365$9,365$0$0 5.4%
Fees: accounting $6,315$0$6,315$0 3.6%
Payroll taxes $5,133$4,620$513$0 2.9%
Depreciation and depletion $4,858$4,858$0$0 2.8%
Insurance $4,494$4,043$451$0 2.6%
Conferences, conventions and meetings $1,932$1,802$130$0 1.1%
Travel $1,747$1,416$320$11 1.0%
Advertising and promotion $1,108$1,058$0$50 0.6%
Information technology $650$650$0$0 0.4%
Total$174,885100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990EZ · $128,102 spent · pay $62,525 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $62,525 48.8%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $59,624 46.5%
Fees to independent contractors $5,453 4.3%
Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance $500 0.4%
Total$128,102100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990EZ · $71,134 spent · pay $47,666 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $47,666 67.0%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $18,899 26.6%
Fees to independent contractors $4,569 6.4%
Total$71,134100%

View the filing