Boys Grow Corp
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Boys Grow is a Kansas City based non-profit that uses farming and agriculture to teach entrepreneurism to urban youth.
- Income
- $758,329
- Spending
- $705,889
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 6.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 75
- Volunteers
- 600
- Highest pay
- $104,366, executive director
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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% 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
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 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
0 of 7Reports no 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
- $515,949 spent. BoysGrow is a not-for-profit agency providing mentoring, entrepreneurship skills, and positive male role-models for inner-city boys ages 14-16. BoysGrow literally broke ground in the Spring of 2010 and is a year round farming and business program supporting the youth by providing valuable personal and business tools while cultivating and selling our products. The program is volunteer supported and staff guided, but youth driven. The Program strives, with staff guidance and direction, for the boys to take pride in their crops and products to ensure the success of the program. This will, in return, create self-pride, identity, and belonging, not only for the youth to the concept of the BoysGrow name but to himself and his fellow workers and the positive and successful environment they have created. The young men who work for BoysGrow do everything associated with running a farm and small business, from planting seeds and growing produce, to meeting with local restaurants to sell their products. Each BoysGrow class is required to create a product that will be sold in local grocery stores. The products will include farm grown ingredients and the youth create, market, distribute and sell their chosen product. The young men are compensated for their work on the farm. With their first job comes the expectation to come to work on time, in uniform and be held accountable for their work ethic. During 2024, Boys Grow continued to successfully provide an abundance of opportunities and experiences for 95 youth through our immediate program and an additional 55 youth with our school partnerships. The youth received classroom instruction and hands on activities around all aspects of running an organic farming operation, from composting techniques to soil maintenance. The youth also received hands on lessons in product development, direct public sales, culinary skills, and personal mentorship from staff and volunteers. Furthermore, the youth are taught healthy living, nutrition and healthy lifestyles. In 2024 our 5,000 square foot greenhouse was completed.
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 September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2013.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.