Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO NOURISH COMMUNITIES AND CULTIVATE A DEEP CONNECTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH NUTRITION EDUCATION, SUSTAINABLE URBAN AGRICULTURE, COLLECTIVE ADVOCACY, AND INTERGENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -4.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 44
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $138,500, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 36% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 (5)
- $743,014 spent. CHILDREN'S GARDEN AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM: THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAM DELIVERS A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE MODEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH SCIENCE CURRICULUM IN OUR INDOOR/OUTDOOR LABORATORY. CHILDREN ROTATE THROUGH THREE STRUCTURED SESSIONS OF HANDS-ON SCIENCE, GARDENING, AND CULINARY AND NUTRITION LESSONS. ALL 4TH GRADE STUDENTS IN NATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE SERVED ON SITE AND ALL STUDENTS IN GRADES TK-6TH WERE SERVED AT THEIR SCHOOLS THROUGH GARDEN BASED SCIENCE AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS. OLIVEWOODS NEW AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SERVES STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AT THE 10 NATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOLS THROUGH A 7-WEEK EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAM UTILIZING HYDROPONICS UNITS AND COOKING CARTS TO TEACH AGRICULTURE AND CULINARY SKILLS. THE OLIVEWOOD TEAM MANAGES THE 10 HYDROPONICS UNITS AND THE 10 NATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL GARDENS. SERVED 3679 STUDENTS THROUGH YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING AND HARVESTED 1150 POUNDS OF PRODUCE FROM SCHOOL GARDENS.
- $532,537 spent. PROPERTY PRESERVATION & AGRICULTURE: OLIVEWOOD IS THE STEWARD OF THE HISTORIC 8-ACRE PROPERTY DONATED BY THE WALTON FAMILY IN 2006. THE PROPERTY HOSTS A RESTORED PRINCESS ANNE VICTORIAN HOUSE BUILT BY OLIVER NOYES IN 1896. WE REGULARLY OPEN THE PROPERTY TO THE PUBLIC FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO ENJOY THE HISTORY AND BEAUTY OF THE HOUSE AND GARDENS. THE PROPERTY HELPS TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY AND GROWTH OF NATIONAL CITY. OUR LUSH GARDENS PROVIDED FOOD FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WITH OVER 8100 POUNDS OF PRODUCE GOING TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR WEEKLY DONATION-BASED PRODUCE STAND AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS.
- $414,371 spent. ADULT, YOUTH, AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: ADULTS SERVED THROUGH COOKING FOR SALUD, KITCHENISTAS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, ADULT COOKING CLASSES AND EVENTS, AND NATIONAL CITY HEALTHY CULTURAS COALITION. YOUTH AND ADULTS SERVED THROUGH COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS INCLUDING DAY OF PLAY, TALLS AND SMALLS, HALLOWEEN HEALTHY HAUNTED GARDEN, HOLIDAY BAZAAR, YOUTH AND FAMILY FIELD TRIPS: SERVED 6,000+.
- $153,796 spent. OVERALL PROGRAMS BY THE NUMBERS- DURING THE 2024-2025 YEAR, OLIVEWOOD SERVED NEARLY 10,000 YOUTH AND ADULTS FROM THROUGHOUT THE SAN DIEGO/TIJUANA BORDER REGION AND BEYOND.TOP PROGRAMS1) CHILDREN'S GARDEN AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM:THE CHILDREN'S PROGRAM DELIVERS A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE MODEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH SCIENCE CURRICULUM IN OUR INDOOR/OUTDOOR LABORATORY. CHILDREN ROTATE THROUGH THREE STRUCTURED SESSIONS OF HANDS-ON SCIENCE, GARDENING, AND CULINARY AND NUTRITION LESSONS.OUTCOMES:- 91% OF PARENTS REPORT THAT THEIR FAMILIES ARE EATING MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES- 82% OF PARENTS REPORT THAT THEIR CHILDREN TALKS ABOUT HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT- 82% OF TEACHERS REPORT THEIR STUDENTS DEMONSTRATE HEALTHIER EATING HABITSADDITIONAL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS - CHEFCITOS COOKING CLASSES- TALLS AND SMALLS- GARDEN EXPLORERS- FIELD TRIPS2) COOKING FOR SALUD! COOKING FOR SALUD!, OUR PARENT NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM, IS TEACHING PARENTS HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY CHANGES AT HOME THAT WILL IMPROVE THEIR FAMILIES SHORT AND LONG-TERM HEALTH OUTCOMES. COOKING FOR SALUDTM IS A BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM THAT GIVES FAMILIES TOOLS TO CHANGE THEIR COOKING AND EATING HABITS, AS WELL AS TRANSFORM THE WAY THEY VIEW FOOD AND HEALTH.I WANT TO APPLY WHAT I LEARNED WITH MY FRIENDS AT THE SENIORS CLUB. I HAVE ALREADY TOLD THEM I WILL TEACH THEM NEW RECIPES AND HEALTHIER WAYS TO COOK IN OUR NEXT MEETING. I LIKE TO SHARE AND HELP OTHERS AND THIS HAS HELPED ME AND I WANT THIS TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE TOO. 14TH GENERATION KITCHENISTA (COOKING FOR SALUD! GRADUATE)OUTCOMES:- 100% OF SURVEYED KITCHENISTAS REPORT INCREASED CONSUMPTION OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, & WHOLE GRAINS- 100% OF SURVEYED KITCHENISTAS REPORT THAT THEIR FAMILY PRIORITIZES HEALTH- 100% OF SURVEYED KITCHENISTAS REPORT THEY ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING HEALTHY CHANGESIN THE COMMUNITY3) KITCHENISTAS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMGRADUATES OF OUR COOKING FOR SALUDTM PROGRAM JOIN THE KITCHENISTA ALUMNI FOR MONTHLY MEETINGS TO DISCUSS HEALTH AND NUTRITION TOPICS, SHARE HEALTHY RECIPES, AND PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY EVENTS. ADDITIONALLY, KITCHENISTAS TAKE PART IN A NUMBER OF PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL HEALTH CLASSES, ART CLASSES, LEADERSHIP, AND PUBLIC SPEAKING TRAININGS. KITCHENISTAS HOLD PEER-TO-PEER NUTRITION PRESENTATIONS AT ALL TEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN NATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS AS REQUESTED. OLIVEWOODS NEW KITCHENISTA CATERING TRAINING PROGRAM TRAINS KITCHENISTAS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR EMPLOYMENT IN CATERING AND FOOD-RELATED BUSINESSES, INCLUDING PARTICIPATION IN OLIVEWOODS CATERING PROGRAM.4) HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS: THIS MULTI-FACETED PROGRAM ENGAGES HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY IN LEADERSHIP, URBAN AGRICULTURE, CULINARY ARTS, HEALTH EDUCATION, PLACEMAKING, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH A FOCUS ON JOB AND COLLEGE TRANSFERABLE SKILLS. YOUTH GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE, WORK-READINESS, AND HEALTHY LIVING SKILLS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH LEADERSHIP AND TEAM BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES, PRACTICAL JOB SKILLS SUCH AS ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMMUNICATION, AND A COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT GROWTH AND NETWORKING. PROGRAM INTERNSHIPS INCLUDE: 20-SESSION SUSTAINABLE URBAN AGRICULTURE ENTREPRENEURSHIP ACADEMY, 10-SESSION GARDEN 2 KITCHEN, 10-SESSION YOUTH COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, AND 10-SESSION CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM. 5) VOLUNTEER AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE ESSENTIAL PROGRAM, OPERATIONAL, AND EVENT SUPPORT TO OLIVEWOOD AND INCLUDE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, RETIRED TEACHERS, CHEFS, MASTER GARDENERS, PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, NUTRITION PROFESSIONALS, COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND CORPORATE VOLUNTEER TEAMS. WE PARTNERED WITH COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, AND HIGH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE INTERNS WITH FORMAL JOB TRAINING IN THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, URBAN AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, MARKETING, AND SPECIAL EVENTS.6) FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS: OLIVEWOOD SUPPORT NUTRITION SECURITY IN NATIONAL CITY AND SOUTH SAN DIEGO THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS. OLIVEWOODS WEEKLY DONATION-BASED PRODUCE STAND WHICH OFFERS FRESHLY HARVESTED AND SEASONAL OLIVEWOOD PRODUCE, OLIVEWOOD-GROWN SEEDLINGS, AND DRIED GOODS. OLIVEWOOD SUPPORTS LOCAL COMMUNITY GARDENERS AND FARMERS AS THE FISCAL SPONSOR FOR PARADISE CREEK FAMILY GARDEN - NATIONAL CITYS ONLY COMMUNITY GARDEN, AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT OF THE TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY COMMUNITY GARDEN WHICH PROVIDES 210 PLOTS FOR LOCAL GARDENERS AND 10 PLOTS FOR SMALL FARM BUSINESSES.7) ADDITIONAL ADULT PROGRAMS- SEASONAL GARDENING WORKSHOPS- FARM-TO-TABLE ADULT COOKING CLASSES- ADULT FIELD TRIPS- GARDEN AND DUSK DINNER- VIRTUAL COOKING CLASS SERIES AND GARDENING HOW-TO VIDEOS8) COMMUNITY AND FAMILY PROGRAMSOUR COMMUNITY AND FAMILY PROGRAMS INCLUDE OPEN HOUSES AND PROPERTY TOURS, AS WELL AS HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE DAY OF PLAY AND TALLS AND SMALLS, PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TOGETHER, COOK TOGETHER, AND GROW TOGETHER.- DAY OF PLAY- HALLOWEEN HEALTHY HAUNTED GARDEN- TALLS AND SMALL- MONTHLY OPEN HOUSE- HOLIDAY BAZAAR9) PROPERTY PRESERVATION:OLIVEWOOD IS THE STEWARD OF THE HISTORIC 8-ACRE PROPERTY DONATED BY THE WALTON FAMILY IN 2006. THE PROPERTY HOSTS A RESTORED PRINCESS ANNE VICTORIAN HOUSE BUILT BY OLIVER NOYES IN 1896. THE HOUSE HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY OCCUPIED. OLIVEWOOD REGULARLY OPENS THE PROPERTY TO THE PUBLIC FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO ENJOY THE HISTORY AND BEAUTY OF THE HOUSE AND GARDENS. WE OFFER MONTHLY OPEN HOUSE EVENTS INCLUDING TOURS OF THE HOUSE AND GARDENS. THE PROPERTY HELPS TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE AGRICULTURAL HISTORY OF NATIONAL CITY AND TELLS THE STORY OF THE GROWTH OF THE REGION, INCLUDING THE KIMBALL BROTHERS, THE OLIVEWOOD ORCHARDS FROM WHERE OUR NAME IS DERIVED, AND THE WATER SOURCE IN THE LOCAL MT. MIGUEL WATERSHED.OUR GENEROUS VOLUNTEERS ENSURE THAT CHILDREN CAN SAFELY ENJOY THE PROPERTY INCLUDING COOKING IN THE NOYES HOUSE KITCHEN, GARDENING IN LUKAS' GARDEN, AND LEARNING
- HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS INCLUDE FOUR INTERNSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN AGRICULTURE, GARDEN TO KITCHEN CONNECTIONS, CULINARY SKILLS, LEADERSHIP, PLACEMAKING, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING. SERVED 62 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH MULTI-WEEK INTERNSHIPS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2008.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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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