Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance

EIN 36-4200490 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY ALLIANCE INSPIRES, EDUCATES AND PROVOKES EXPLORATION THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS AND EXPERIENCES IN ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST AND FINEST PLANT CONSERVATORIES. THE CONSERVATORY CHANGES LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF NATURE. THE ALLIANCE PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, VISITOR SERVICES AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SERVICES TO THE GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY AND LOCAL COMMUNITY.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
77
Volunteers
464
Highest pay
$183,599, president

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

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (3)
  1. $874,168 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAMS: PROVIDE NATURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AND DOCENT TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH.
  2. $872,381 spent. VISITOR SERVICES: ALLIANCE CREATES SEASONAL EVENTS AND EDUCATIONAL FESTIVALS INCLUDING: HARVEST DAY, SWEET SATURDAYS, CREATURES OF THE NIGHT, MORNING GLORIES, FIDDLEHEADS AND WILD WEDNESDAYS FOR VISITORS AND FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. ALLIANCE PRESENTS EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ON GARDENING INCLUDING WORM BIN CULTURE, RECYCLING, COMPOSTING AND OTHER SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES.
  3. $116,400 spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: ALLIANCE WORKS WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING AND PLANT MATERIALS FOR COMMUNITY HORTICULTURE AND GARDEN PROJECTS AND PROVIDES PLANT MATERIAL FOR COMMUNITY GARDENS. THE ALLIANCE GROWS AND CONTRIBUTES FRESH PRODUCE TO LOCAL FARMER'S MARKETS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO FRESH AND HIGH QUALITY FOOD. THE ALLIANCE SUPPORTS COMMUNITY ACCESS TO CONSERVATORY MEETING ROOMS AND FACILITIES FOR MEETINGS, ARTS AND CULTURE PERFORMANCES AND PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AND PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.

Source: Form 990 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.