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America in Bloom

EIN 01-0622507 · Columbus, OH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AMERICA IN BLOOM PROMOTES NATIONWIDE BEAUTIFICATION THROUGH EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT BY ENCOURAGING THE USE OF FLOWERS, PLANTS, TREES AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIFESTYLE ENHANCEMENTS.

Income
$323,316
Spending
$285,721
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$87,768, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 73% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $84,789 spent. EACH FALL, WE GATHER IN A DIFFERENT COMMUNITY FOR THE AMERICA IN BLOOM NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM & AWARDS CELEBRATION. OVER THREE DAYS, ATTENDEES EXPERIENCE EXCITING KEYNOTES, DYNAMIC PANELS, PRESENTATIONS, AND FORUMS, PLUS FUN ACTIVITIES AND LEARNING TOURS. AND LOTS OF AWARDS ARE ANNOUNCED! IT'S AN INCREDIBLE CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.
  2. $26,172 spent. AMERICA IN BLOOM AND THE CN RAILWAY HAVE PARTNERED TO CREATE THE "ECOCONNEXIONS FROM THE GROUND UP" GRANTS PROGRAM. WITH A TRUE TRANSCONTINENTAL NETWORK THAT EXTENDS TO THREE NORTH AMERICAN COASTS, CN PASSES THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES. WE ENCOURAGE COMMUNITIES ALONG THE CN CORRIDOR TO TAKE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION BY IMPROVING THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH HEALTHY URBAN FORESTS, NATURAL LANDSCAPING, GROUNDCOVER IMPROVEMENT, AND FLOWER DISPLAYS.
  3. $72,899 spent. AMERICA IN BLOOM THREE-TIERED PARTICIPATION PROGRAM (LEVELS 1, 2, AND 3) IS A CONTINUING COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN COORDINATION WITH MUNICIPAL EFFORTS IN AN ONGOING COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY VITALITY, BEAUTY, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND THE CELEBRATION OF HERITAGE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

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