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Franklinton Gardens

EIN 45-4023198 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO GROW AND SHARE FOOD, CREATE BEAUTY, AND BUILD COMMUNITY.

Income
$709,928
Spending
$674,182
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
32
Volunteers
1,230
Highest pay
$26,650, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    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 December 31, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $198,921 spent. PROVIDE FARMING AND FOOD ACCESS THROUGH THE CULTIVATION OF YEAR-ROUND PRODUCE AND OFFERING PRODUCE AT A PRICE WHICH MAKES THE PRODUCE AVAILABLE TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
  2. $95,229 spent. HOST EVENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY AND IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL PARTNERS AND SCHOOLS WHICH ARE FARM-BASED AND PROVIDE A GARDEN EDUCTION.
  3. $169,273 spent. IMPROVE THE NATURAL AND BUILD LANDSCAPE ACROSS ALL SITES THROUGH VOLUNTEEERISM AND BEAUTIFICATION, TO EDUCATE AND COORDINATE HUNDEREDS OF VOLUNTEERS ON SCOLOGICALLY SOUND, SOCIALLY RESPONSOBLE URBAN FARMING PRACTICES.
  4. $27,822 spent. AN INTIATIVE FOR COLUMBUS-BASED URBAN FARMERS AD GARDERNES WHO STWEARD FRESH FOOD CULTURE IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS WITH A FOCUS ON COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE FOOD DESERTS OR APARTHEIDS, THE COMMUNITY GROWERS' NETWORK. THE PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO BUILD FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE BY INVESTING IN THE CAPACITIES OF URBAN GROWERS OF VARYING EXPERIENCE LEVELS. COMMUNITY GROWERS' NETWORK MEMBERS RECEIVE FINANCIAL, SOCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT THROUGH THE PROGRAM.
  5. AN INTIATIVE FOR COLUMBUS-BASED URBAN FARMERS AD GARDERNES WHO STWEARD FRESH FOOD CULTURE IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS WITH A FOCUS ON COMMUNITIES WHICH ARE FOOD DESERTS OR APARTHEIDS, THE COMMUNITY GROWERS' NETWORK. THE PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO BUILD FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCE BY INVESTING IN THE CAPACITIES OF URBAN GROWERS OF VARYING EXPERIENCE LEVELS. COMMUNITY GROWERS' NETWORK MEMBERS RECEIVE FINANCIAL, SOCIAL AND OTHER SUPPORT THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2014.

    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 2024.

    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 2014.

    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.