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Woodlands Garden of Decatur Inc

EIN 27-4521209 · Decatur, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 29% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

WOODLANDS GARDEN OF DECATUR INC IS A SEVEN ACRE SANCTUARY OF MAJESTIC GEORGIA PIEDMONT FOREST NEAR DOWNTOWN DECATUR. THIS ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO EXPLORE A NATIVE PLANT HABITAT AND HISTORIC FAMILY GARDENS. THE GARDENS ARE PROTECTED GREENSPACE IN THE CITY.

Income
$383,731
Spending
$320,273
Spent on programs
29%
Reserves
28.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
4

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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    29% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

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

  • 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 (3)
  1. $26,551 spent. MAINTAIN THE GARDENS, OPEN THE GARDENS TO THE PUBLIC DURING EVENTS SUCH AS SUNDAYS IN THE PARK AND MIDWEEK GARDENERS, AND CONTINUE IMPLEMENTING THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE GARDENS. THERE IS NO PROGRAM REVENUE AND NO ENTRY FEES ARE CHARGED. THE EXPENSES REPORTED AS PROGRAM EXPENSES ARE USED TO MAINTAIN THE GARDENS FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT.
  2. $65,313 spent. AWARDS AND GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS AND DONATIONS TO OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.
  3. AWARDS AND GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS AND DONATIONS TO OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

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 November 6, 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 May 2011.

    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 November 4, 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.