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Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park

EIN 31-1574450 · Gilroy, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO OPERATE AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION WHOSE MISSION IS TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, TO APPRECIATE HORTICULTURE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TREES IN OUR LIVES BY PROVIDING FUN AND MEMORIES IN A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN SETTING.

Income
$19.6 million
Spending
$22.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
741
Volunteers
126
Highest pay
$265,829, president & general manager

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (4)
  1. $19.2 million spent. THE OPERATION OF AN EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PARK. VISITATION OF 469,459 WITH OPERATING DAYS OF 172. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO SERVE AS A LEARNING CENTER WHERE FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH PRE-TEEN CHILDREN, CAN EXPERIENCE THE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS. THE PARK WAS BUILT WITH: SIX GARDENS (CONIFER, FLOWER, TROPICAL, CAMELLIA, HOLLY AND HISTORICAL), FOUR LEARNING SHEDS (GEOLOGY, WEATHER & ENVIRONMENT, PACIFIC REDWOOD AND CIRCUS TREES), TWO SEASONAL EXHIBITS (MONARCH BUTTERFLIES AND HONEY BEES), EDUCATIONAL TOUR PROGRAMS (SELF GUIDED, AUDIO AND DOCENT LED), EDUCATIONAL SIGNS AND AN EDUCATIONAL SHOW PRODUCT.
  2. $599,697 spent. THE SCHOOL PROMOTIONAL EDUCATIONAL TICKETS PROGRAM. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO ALLOW BAY AREA EDUCATOR'S, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, USE OF THE FACILITIES DURING THE REGULAR OPERATING SEASON. STUDENTS CAN COME AND LEARN AT THEIR OWN LEISURE.
  3. $334,097 spent. OVERNIGHT CAMPING PROGRAM. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO USE EXCESS LAND AND BALL FIELDS AS A LOCATION FOR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS (GIRL SCOUTS, BOY SCOUTS, YMCA) AND FAMILIES TO EXPERIENCE A SAFE OVERNIGHT CAMPING EXPERIENCE COMBINED WITH THE EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES LISTED UNDER GENERAL OPERATIONS. STUDENTS AND CHILDREN CONTINUE THEIR LEARNING AND EXPERIENCES WITH NATURE.
  4. $94,883 spent. NATURE SCIENCE DAYS AND EDUCATIONAL DISCOVERY TOURS. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO USE GILROY GARDENS AS A LIVING LABORATORY FOR STUDENTS K-5 TO ENHANCE LEARNING IN THE LIFE SCIENCES. SPECIFIC EDUCATIONAL DAYS HAVE BEEN CREATED TO TARGET GRADES 3-5 AND K-2 BASED ON CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STANDARDS TO ENHANCE LEARNING IN THE LIFE SCIENSES. THE NATURAL SCIENCE PROGRAM RAN FOR 8 SPECIFIC NON-OPERATING DAYS AND THE EDUCATIONAL DISCOVERY TOURS WERE AVAILABLE ON ALL OPERATING DAYS.

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

  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 2024.

    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 March 1998.

    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.