Global Garden Refugee Training Farm
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Global Garden Refugee Training Farms is to improve access to fresh vegetables for refugee families and their neighbors, and to reconnect displaced farmers with opportunities to grow healthy food and earn supplemental income.
- Income
- $278,708
- Spending
- $309,768
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 3.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 42%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $70,000, executive director
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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $19,973 spent. The organization creates food security for around 70 displaced refugee farm families who have been resettled in Chicago by providing them with land, water, seeds, tools, and equipment, so they can grow and eat fresh vegetables. They grow many varieties from their countries of origin, which helps preserve healthy eating traditions. They learn about new vegetable crops that are adapted to cold climates and can be incorporated into traditional recipes. We offer healing to farmers who may have been traumatized during displacement. We instill pride in farmers by enabling them to be self-sufficient members of their new community in the United States.
- $200,361 spent. The organization provides training and logistical support to several incubator farmers who grow produce for sale, providing supplemental income for low-income families. We provide the farmers with supplies, marketing, transportation, training, and coaching. Selling their produce to local farmers' markets, restaurants, and other wholesale buyers provides opportunities for these displaced farmers to take pride in fully participating in and contributing to their new community.
- $28,616 spent. The Organization seeks to have a positive impact on the surrounding community. We provide freshly grown vegetables through sales at local restaurants, farmers' markets, and community-supported agriculture subscriptions. We improve the neighborhood ecosystem through the maintenance of beehives and urban green space. We have established a community compost program to encourage sustainable disposal and reuse of organic waste. We host events, such as musical performances and cooking classes, to encourage community engagement
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
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2016 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on October 15, 2016.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.