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Dubuque Arboretum Association Inc

EIN 42-1160989 · Dubuque, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BECOME A CHERISHED DESTINATION FOR ALL, WHERE VIBRANT GARDENS CREATE TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES THAT CONNECT PEOPLE, INSPIRE LEARNING, AND DEEPEN APPRECIATION FOR NATURE.

Income
$659,933
Spending
$608,697
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
35.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
9
Volunteers
225
Highest pay
$76,883, executive director

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 35.3 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 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $405,489 spent. THE DUBUQUE ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS IS A 56 ACRE PUBLIC GARDEN.THIS GARDEN IS MAINTAINED BY OVER 200 VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSIST IN MANY WAYS SUCH AS THE GIFT SHOP, THE GROUNDS, MAINTENANCE, ETC. ALL THE PLANTINGS ON THE GROUNDS HAVE IDENTIFICATION TAGS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, THIS ALLOWS THE GARDENS TO BE CONSIDERED A LIVING MUSEUM AS WELL. THE GARDENS HAVE A MIXTURE OF PERENNIAL, ANNUAL, JAPANESE, AND ENGLISH GARDENS AND SO MUCH MORE. TREE COLLECTIONS IN THE ARBORETUM CONSIST OF CONIFERS, OAKS, MAPLES, MAGNOLIAS, ETC. THE GARDEN HOLDS MANY EVENTS INCLUDING CONCERTS EACH SEASON. MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO HOLD SPECIAL EVENTS ON BEAUTIFUL GROUNDS AS WELL, SUCH AS WEDDINGS. THE DUBUQUE ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS BRINGS IN OVER 83,000 GUESTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD EACH YEAR.

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 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 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 December 1981.

    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.