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Garden of Hope Inc

EIN 35-2347834 · Norfolk, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GARDEN OF HOPE, INC. (GOH OR THE ORGANIZATION), A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION INCORPORATED IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2008, AIMS TO BUILD HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS BY PROVIDING SERVICES AND PROGRAMS FOR THE DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES, AND UNDER-SERVED YOUTH IN HAMPTON ROADS. GOH WAS FOUNDED WITH THE VISION OF NURTURING A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE. GOH IS DEDICATED TO CREATING LASTING CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THOSE IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION, POVERTY, AND A LACK OF EDUCATION.

Income
$728,525
Spending
$625,264
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 54%
Employees
8
Highest pay
$72,597, executive di

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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 (2)
  1. $334,296 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING, EDUCATION, AND STABILITY OF UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THROUGH VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE ORGANIZATION DELIVERS MENTORING AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION EFFORTS, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, ADULT LITERACY AND WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAMS, RE-ENTRY ASSISTANCE FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES, AND CASE MANAGEMENT. THESE SERVICES ARE INTENDED TO PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, SELF- SUFFICIENCY, AND LONG-TERM COMMUNITY STABILITY. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH A COMBINATION OF VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND GRANT FUNDING. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING, EDUCATION, AND STABILITY OF UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THROUGH VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN INITIATIVES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE ORGANIZATION DELIVERS MENTORING AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION EFFORTS, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, ADULT LITERACY AND WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAMS, RE-ENTRY ASSISTANCE FOR FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS, SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES, AND CASE MANAGEMENT. THESE SERVICES ARE INTENDED TO PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, SELF- SUFFICIENCY, AND LONG-TERM COMMUNITY STABILITY. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH A COMBINATION OF VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND GRANT FUNDING.
  2. $144,600 spent. GARDEN OF HOPE, INC. RECEIVES THE USE OF TWO RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FROM THE CITY OF NORFOLK AT NO COST UNDER MULTI-YEAR LEASE AGREEMENTS. THE PROPERTIES ARE USED TO HOUSE AND SUPPORT NON-VIOLENT EX-OFFENDERS AS PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S REHABILITATIVE MISSION.THE ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET RENTAL VALUE OF THESE FACILITIES WAS DETERMINED BASED ON COMPARABLE MARKET DATA AND ADJUSTED FOR NONPROFIT AND GOVERNMENT-USE DISCOUNTS. TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS OF 144,600 WERE RECOGNIZED FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 AND ARE REFLECTED AS BOTH SUPPORT REVENUE AND EXPENSE (SCHEDULE D > PART XII, LINE 2A)IN THE ACCOMPANYING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

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 October 13, 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 June 2009.

    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 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.