Passes our checks

Lake Forest Garden Club

EIN 36-6071433 · Lake Forest, IL

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

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE GARDENING, PROMOTE HORTICULATURAL KNOWLEDGE AND STIMULATE THE COMMUNITY'S INTEREST IN CONSERVATION AND CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION.

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

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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
21 of 21 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
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.
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 June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$25,246 spent. THE CLUB HAS MANY PURPOSES, ONE OF WHICH IS TO PROMOTE KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND LOVE OF GARDENING AMONG ITS MEMBERS AND OTHERS. ANOTHER PURPOSE OF THE CLUB IS TO DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE SCIENTIFIC AND OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT HORTICULTURE, AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST, EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ENJOYMENT IN THE FIELDS OF GARDENING, HORTICULTURE, CIVIC AND RURAL PLANNING, PLANTING AND BEAUTIFICATION. THE CLUB ALSO SPECIALIZES IN THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, AND THE PROTECTION OF NATIVE PLANTS AND BIRDS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CLUB SEEKS TO ENGAGE IN EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC, ARTISTIC AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS ALONG THE FOREGOING LINES, AND IN SUPPORTING NATURE STUDY PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, AS WELL AS TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN ANY OR THE ENTIRE FOREGOING FIELDS

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1964.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.