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Growing Places Garden Project Inc

EIN 10-0004885 · Leominster, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE AND CONNECT THE NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY TO CREATE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH EDUCATION, COLLABORATION AND ADVOCACY. GROWING PLACES SUPPORTS 27 NORTH CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITIES, CONCENTRATING IN 5 OF THE MOST UNDERSERVED AREAS - FITCHBURG, GARDNER, LEOMINSTER, CLINTON AND WINCHENDON - WHICH COMPRISE ALMOST HALF OF THE REGION'S POPULATION. THE FOCUS IS ON ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY TO CREATE A VALUES-BASED FOOD SYSTEM THAT IMRPOVES THE FOOD SECURITY, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH OF THE NCM AREA.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 53%
Employees
30
Volunteers
103
Highest pay
$93,615, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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

    10 of 11 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 September 30, 2025, 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 (4)
  1. $1.4 million spent. AGGREGATE AND DISTRIBUTE: PURCHASE FOOD FROM LOCAL FARMS THEN DISTRIBUTE TO UNDERSERVED RESIDENTS VIA SNAP/HIP ACCESSIBLE FARMER MARKETS OR MOBILE MARKETS, HOME-DELIVERY, AND THROUGH PARTNERS.
  2. $247,447 spent. GARDNER FOOD CENTER: A FACILITY THAT PROCESSES PRODUCE INTO GOODS SUCH AS CANNED GOODS, FROZEN PRODUCE, PUREES, DRIED FRUITS, JUICES, ETC. THE PRODUCE IS PURCHASED FROM LOCAL FARMERS AND AIMS TO MAKE HEALTHY FOOD MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
  3. $70,179 spent. ENGAGE/EDUCATE: ELEVATE RESIDENTS AS FOOD SYSTEM LEADERS. SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAMS FOR GRADES PRE-SCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL BY PROVIDING A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES: GROWING, COOKING, HARVESTING, PACKAGING, DISTRIBUTING LOCAL PRODUCE TO UNDERSERVED RESIDENTS, YOUTH LEADERSHIP (ROOT LEADERS), AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. ALSO OFFERED SNAP APPLICATION ASSISTANCE AND RAN COMMUNITY GARDENING PROJECTS
  4. $50,464 spent. PEPPERELL STORAGE CENTER: A COLD STORAGE FACILITY FOR LOCAL FARMERS TO STORE THEIR FRESH PRODUCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 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 April 2002.

    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.