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Passes our checks

Master Gardener Association of San Diego County

EIN 33-0536187 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE RESEARCH BASED INFORMATION ON GARDENING, NONCOMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE AND PEST MANAGEMENT TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY.

Income
$99,043
Spending
$92,633
Reserves
15.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
  1. $25,836 spent. MASTER GARDENDER SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL GARDENS AND COMMUNITY GARDENS.
  2. $38,604 spent. TELEPHONE ADVICE AND EXHIBIT PRESENTATIONS PROVIDED ON AN ONGOING BASIS TO THE PUBLIC ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON HOME GARDENING AND PEST CONTROL MANAGEMENT.
  3. $8,200 spent. DEVELOPMENT OF AND STAFFING OF A DEMONSTRATION GARDEN AT A MAJOR COUNTY ANNUAL EVENT TO RAISE AWARENESS OF EARTH FRIENDLY AND WATER WISE GARDENING TECHNIQUES.
  4. $19,993 spent. EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR TO EXPOSE THE PUBLIC TO A VARIETY OF CURRENT GARDENING TOPICS.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 April 1994.

    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.