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Growing Places

EIN 02-0333489 · Lee, NH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GROWING PLACES EARLY EDUCATION AND YOUTH RECREATION IS A NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION, INCORPORATED IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, TO PROVIDE QUALITY CHILD CARE, EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT AND YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAMS IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN RAISING RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL AND RESOURCEFUL CHILDREN. THE ORGANIZATION SERVICES RESIDENTS IN SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES OF LEE, DURHAM, BARRINGTON, AND MADBURY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. A LOVING, SAFE AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT IS PROVIDED WHERE CHILDREN CAN EXPLORE THROUGH PLAY WHILE IN THE COMPANY OF ATTENTIVE AND INTERACTIVE ADULTS. GROWING PLACES PROVIDES LEARNING SITUATIONS THAT ARE FLEXIBLE, DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE, CHILD DIRECTED AND MINDFUL DIFFERENCES AND INDIVIDUALITY. TEACHERS PLAN ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES THAT ENCOURAGE DISCOVERY AND LEARNING BY STIMULATING PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
81
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$80,854, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 August 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. $777,454 spent. INFANT/TODDLER AND PRESCHOOL: BOTH PROGRAMS ARE LOCATED IN LEE NH ATTRACTING FAMILIES FROM BARRINGTON, DOVER, DURHAM, EPPING, LEE, MADBURY, NEWMARKET, NOTTINGHAM, PORTSMOUTH AND ROCHESTER. WE SERVE THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AGES 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS IN A LOVING, SAFE AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT THAT PROVIDES FOR A WIDE VARIETY OF EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE CHILD. WE OFFER STIMULATING ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES THAT INCLUDE PRE-READING, LANGUAGE ARTS, MATH, SCIENCE, ART, MUSIC, MOVEMENT, CULTURAL DIVERSITY, FITNESS, HEALTH AND NUTRITION. WE ENCOURAGE OPEN-ENDED PLAY AND DAILY EXPLORATION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT PROVIDING RICH SENSORY EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER OPTIMAL PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $368,881 spent. WOODSIDE: THE WOODSIDE PROGRAM IS LOCATED AT THE WOODSIDE APARTMENT COMPLEX AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (UNH) IN DURHAM SERVING THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AGES 2 YEARS TO 5 YEARS. WOODSIDE ATTRACTS FAMILIES FROM BARRINGTON, DOVER, DURHAM, EPPING, LEE, MADBURY, NEWMARKET, NOTTINGHAM, PORTSMOUTH, ROCHESTER AND A DIVERSE GROUP OF FAMILIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHO COME TO LIVE AND STUDY AT UNH. WE OFFER STIMULATING ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES THAT INCLUDE PRE-READING, LANGUAGE ARTS, MATH, SCIENCE, ART, MUSIC, MOVEMENT, CULTURAL DIVERSITY, FITNESS, HEALTH AND NUTRITION. WE ENCOURAGE OPEN-ENDED PLAY AND DAILY EXPLORATION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT PROVIDING RICH SENSORY EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER OPTIMAL PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT.
  3. $90,372 spent. OUR SCHOOL AGE PROGRAMS INCLUDE "OUR TIME" BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL, CAMP COWABUNGA AND TIMBERNOOK: THESE PROGRAMS OPERATE AT MOHARIMET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN MADBURY, NH ATTRACTING FAMILIES FROM BARRINGTON, DOVER, DURHAM, EPPING, LEE, MADBURY, NEWMARKET, NOTTINGHAM, PORTSMOUTH AND ROCHESTER. TIMBERNOOK ALSO OPERATES SOME SESSIONS IN DURHAM, NH. WE PROVIDE FLEXIBLE, QUALITY CARE THAT OFFERS A VARIETY OF ENRICHMENT AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN 5 YEARS AND UP. CAMP COWABUNGA IS A CLASSIC SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM AND TIMBERNOOK IS AN INNOVATIVE NATURE-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO FOSTER CREATIVITY, IMAGINATION AND INDEPENDENT PLAY IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS FOR CHILDREN AGES 5 YEARS TO 13 YEARS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1978.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.