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Gardenshare Inc

EIN 16-1607595 · Canton, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE A LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM THAT ENSURES FOOD SECURITY FOR ALL ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY RESIDENTS BY CONNECTING CONSUMERS AND PRODUCERS, SUPPORTING EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD RESOURCES, REMOVING BARRIERS TO ACCESS, INCLUDING STAKEHOLDERS IN DECISION MAKING, PROVIDING FOOD JUSTICE EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY, AND ENGAGING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

Income
$273,425
Spending
$249,841
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
3
Volunteers
160
Highest pay
$61,466, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

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

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $203,126 spent. LOCAL FOOD GUIDE - GARDENSHARE'S ANNUAL LOCAL FOOD GUIDE AND FARMERS MARKET PROMOTION PROGRAMS HELP ENSURE THAT THE COUNTY HAS A VIBRANT, LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM WHERE OUR FOOD CHOICES ARE HEALTHY FOR US, FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, AND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. SNAP AT THE FARMERS MARKETS - GARDENSHARE MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO USE SNAP (FOOD STAMPS) AT AREA FARMERS MARKETS, HELPING SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS AND HELPING TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY HAS ACCESS TO ENOUGH NUTRITIOUS AND AFFORDABLE FOOD TO SUSTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. BONUS BUCKS - GARDENSHARE PROVIDES SUBSIDIES TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES BUY CSA SHARES OR MAKE PURCHASES AT FARMERS MARKETS. THIS WAY OF SECURING HEALTHY, FRESH, LOCAL FOOD COULD OTHERWISE BE OUT OF REACH FOR MANY WORKING AND LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. THE SUBSIDY IS PAID DIRECTLY TO THE FARMER, THUS HELPING THE FARMER MAKE A LIVING TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY ALSO. LOCAL FOOD GUIDE - GARDENSHARE'S ANNUAL LOCAL FOOD GUIDE AND FARMERS MARKET PROMOTION PROGRAMS HELP ENSURE THAT THE COUNTY HAS A VIBRANT, LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM WHERE OUR FOOD CHOICES ARE HEALTHY FOR US, FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, AND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. SNAP AT THE FARMERS MARKETS - GARDENSHARE MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO USE SNAP (FOOD STAMPS) AT AREA FARMERS MARKETS, HELPING SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS AND HELPING TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY HAS ACCESS TO ENOUGH NUTRITIOUS AND AFFORDABLE FOOD TO SUSTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. BONUS BUCKS - GARDENSHARE PROVIDES SUBSIDIES TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES BUY CSA SHARES OR MAKE PURCHASES AT FARMERS MARKETS. THIS WAY OF SECURING HEALTHY, FRESH, LOCAL FOOD COULD OTHERWISE BE OUT OF REACH FOR MANY WORKING AND LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS. THE SUBSIDY IS PAID DIRECTLY TO THE FARMER, THUS HELPING THE FARMER MAKE A LIVING TO SUPPORT HIS FAMILY ALSO.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 2001.

    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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