Garner Golf Course Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE GARNER GOLF COURSE FOUNDATION IS TO RUN THE GOLF COURSE OWNED BY THE CITY OF GARNER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF GARNER. THE CITY OF GARNERS DECISION TO PURCHASE THE GOLF COURSE IN 2014 WAS TO ASSURE THAT THE GOLF COURSE REMAINED AN AVAILABLE AMENITY TO THE AREA IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO THE AREA FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CITY AND AREA BUSINESSES, IN ADDITION TO PROMOTING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORTING SCHOOL DISTRICT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE GOLF AND CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS. TO THAT END THE FOUNDATIONS ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRE IT TO WORK TOWARD FULFILLING THAT MISSION. EACH YEAR ANY FUNDS GENERATED IN EXCESS OF THOSE NEEDED TO OPERATE THE GOLF COURSE ARE PUT INTO A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO BE USED TO EITHER IMPROVE THE FACILITIES OR PURCHASE EQUIPMENT. THE FOUNDATION ALSO INTENDS TO SEEK CONTRIBUTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDATION AND OTHER PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY TO IMPROVE THE GOLF COURSE AND ITS FACILIT
- Income
- $327,969
- Spending
- $348,518
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 1.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 98%
- Employees
- 13
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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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, 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 (2)
- $197,707 spent. THE FOUNDATION MANAGES AND MAINTAINS A 9 HOLE GOLF COURSE LOCATED IN GARNER IOWA, WHICH IS OWNED BY THE CITY OF GARNER. PATRONS ARE ALLOWED TO PAY FOR INDIVIDUAL ROUNDS, OR SEASONAL PASSES TO PLAY AT THE COURSE. MORE THAN 170 SEASONAL PASSES WERE UTILIZED IN 2016. THE COURSE WORKS CLOSELY WITH OTHER GOLF RELATED ORGANIZATIONS TO HAVE PROGRAMMED EVENTS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO WORKS WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HOST PRACTICES AND GOLF MEETS DURING THE SPRING. IN THE FALL, THE COURSE HAS HOSTED SEVERAL CROSS COUNTRY EVENTS FOR THE LOCAL SCHOOLS AS WELL. THE SURPLUS FROM EACH YEAR WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY OF GARNER, OF WHICH THE FUNDS MAY BE USED TO MAKE UPDATES OR CHANGES TO THEIR COURSE.
- $142,526 spent. THE FOUNDATION MANAGES AND MAINTAINS A FULL SERVICE FOOD AND DRINK ESTABLISHMENT PROVIDED FOR THE BENEFIT OF ITS PATRONS. THE FACILITY IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO HOST EVENTS. SEVERAL FUNDRAISING AND CHARITABLE EVENTS HAVE BEEN HOSTED AT THE FACILITY.
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
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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
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 2025.
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 2016.
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.
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