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Garden Club of New Jersey

EIN 22-6042569 · E Brunswick, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO COORDINATE THE INTERESTS OF NJ GARDEN CLUBS, TO AID IN THE PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, TO STUDY AND TEACH HORTICULTURE AND FLOWER ARRANGING.

Income
$124,315
Spending
$64,064
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
0
Volunteers
4,100

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

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 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 (3)
  1. $24,992 spent. Conferences, schools and workshops are held throughout the year at various locations in the state. Speakers and instructors are retained. Training and updates are given on topics related to horticulture and the environment.
  2. $18,500 spent. The Garden Club of New Jersey provides scholarships to students who study in the fields of horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, botany, plant pathology, agronomy, environmental science, city planning, land management, and related subjects. The scholarships are open to residents of New Jersey and are for one year. The colleges and universities do not have to be in NJ. There are approximately 10 scholarships given per year, ranging from $1,500 to $3,500. The program is publicized on the GCNJ website, the GCNJ newsletter, Newsleaf, and through the network of state garden clubs. Aspecial committee reviews applications and awards the scholarships.
  3. $3,170 spent. Travel consists of expenses incurred by the president and president-elect to attend National Garden Club conferences, regional conferences, and events sponsored by NJ garden clubs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on September 15, 2020 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on July 15, 2023.

    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 April 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 July 2023.

    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.