Unity Gardens Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To connect our community to healthy food,nature and each other We do this through supporting open gardens, free classes and programs
- Income
- $879,354
- Spending
- $659,710
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 12.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 73%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 2,879
- Highest pay
- $58,000, presidentceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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 December 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)
- $168,596 spent. 2024 Free-Pick Orchards & Gardens: Unity Gardens connect our community to Fresh Food, Nature and one another through 40 free pick gardens and orchard sites. The 7 acre main site is the hub of operations. Through this site we support over 40 satellite gardens where our community can pick fresh fruits and vegetables without any barriers to access. The main site has garden guides who will help harvesters navigate the garden and discover the fruits and vegetables, sharing recipes, information on our programs, classes and More. Through our satellite gardens and community partners we also add to the available produce with a sharing shelf for 8637 garden visitors to enjoy. An estimated 200,000 pounds of fresh produce distributed to neighbors.
- $256,536 spent. 2024 Educational Programming: Unity Gardens hosts free gardening and orchard care classes both on-site in our education center and on-line. In addition we offer classes at our community partner sites. A 4-season off-the-grid Geodome to host field trips and connect youth to the joy of gardening and principles of renewable energy all year long. An Edgy Veggie bus takes our programs and classes on the road, reaching more deeply into our community to parks and community events. We have engaged over 1484 children with Edgy Veggie in 2024 at 19 events. 1211 Adults attended free gardening as well 870 kids at 147 classes.
- $94,858 spent. 2024 Farm to Market: Unity Gardens has a dedicated, separated area at the main garden to grow food for sale, creating revenue for organizational sustainability and mission support. In addition to fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables, Unity Gardens creates value added products such as soap, bees wax candles and balms, veggie pun cards honey based food with honey and dried herbs and pepper We have 2 market areas; One at the South Bend Farmers Market and another at our main garden Welcome Center.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 February 2010.
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.
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.