The Gardenworks Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The GardenWorks Project promotes organic suburban agriculture to improve the well-being of our community, the environment, and those facing food insecurity. We empower, educate, and support all food growers in their efforts to nourish their families and neighbors in need.
- Income
- $155,264
- Spending
- $148,757
- Reserves
- 1.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Highest pay
- $43,200, executive dir.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 24% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $17,464 spent. Home Gardening Program - Provide home gardening opportunities to food insecure individuals within western Chicagoland. Clients are provided with resources, services and participation in educational events. In 2025,134 4 x 8 garden beds were provided to individuals facing food insecurity. In 2025, 88 families/300 individuals were given a garden bed. All produce grown directly benefits the participating households.
- $81,161 spent. Community Gardening Support Program - Supports and educates community gardeners and local community growers strengthening the capacity of shared growing spaces to produce fresh, healthy food, which is distributed to non-profit partners (i.e. food pantries). Since 2017, the GardenWorks Project has helped establish 26 community garden sites. In addition, the organization launched a production site in partnership with the DuPage County Fairgrounds in February, 2022. In 2025, all sites and individual growers produced and donated more than 6,900 pounds of fresh produce, which has been distributed to ten local food pantries expanding access to nutritious food to individuals and families in need.
- $6,102 spent. Food Growers Network - Provide education and training opportunities for food growers to engage within the local food system. In-person events were provided throughout the year, as well as free resources to all members and clients interested in participating. The GardenWorks Project continued its partnership with Fresh Food Connect, a national mobile app operator, to connect home growers with donation opportunities within the region diverting potential food waste towards emergency food assistance agencies.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 December 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 June 2014.
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.