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Galvestons Own Farmers Market Inc

EIN 46-4039301 · Galveston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CONNECT GALVESTON COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH THEIR LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY AND IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE BY FOSTERING A GREATER SENSE OF COMMUNITY THROUGH ACCESS TO BETTER HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND AN ACTIVE CONNECTION TO SOURCES OF GOOD FOOD, ALONG WITH THE JOY OF EATING.

Income
$751,733
Spending
$660,157
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
12
Volunteers
442
Highest pay
$72,978, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 77% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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, 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. $133,071 spent. WEEKLY MARKETS: WE BRING LOCALLY GROWN ORGANIC PRODUCE, PREPARED FOODS AND EDIBLE FARM PRODUCTS TO RESIDENTS OF GALVESTON AT OUR YEAR-ROUND THURSDAY AND SUNDAY MARKETS.
  2. $172,319 spent. YOUNG GARDENERS PROGRAM (YGP): YGP IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOFM AND GALVESTON ISD THAT EMBEDS OUR VOLUNTEERS, CURRICULUM AND LEADERSHIP INTO GISD. CHILDREN AGES 1ST - 7TH GRADE ARE TAUGHT HOW TO GROW VEGETABLES, PREPARE FRESH MEALS AND LEARN FROM THE OUTDOORS IN HIGHPRODUCTION GARDENS BUILT, ORGANIZED AND MANAGED BY GOFM. VICTORY GARDENS PROGRAM: A COMMUNITY GARDENS PROGRAM WHEREIN GOFM INSTALLS AND MANAGES LARGE FOOD-GROWING GARDENS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY ALLIES, NEIGHBORHOODS, AND ORGANIZATIONS FOCUSED ON UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS IN GALVESTON.
  3. $99,758 spent. VICTORY GARDENS PROGRAM (VGP): OUR VICTORY GARDENS PROGRAM (VGP) BUILDS AND MANAGES VEGETABLE PRODUCTION BEDS AT PARTNERED SITES IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS PROGRAM TOOK SHAPE IN 2020 AS A WAY TO FURTHER MEET FOOD INSECURITY NEEDS FOR OUR COMMUNITY DURING THE PANDEMIC. IN TANDEM WITH OUR YGP GARDENS, THESE GARDENS LOCATED IN CENTRAL PUBLIC SITES ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MORE VEGETABLE ACCESS TO HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS GALVESTON COUNTY AS WELL AS PROVIDE BEAUTIFUL HAVENS WHICH EMPOWER CONNECTION WITH THE OUTDOORS & FOOD FOR ALL WHO PASS BY. GOFM STAFF ENSURES CONSISTENT MAINTENANCE & ABUNDANT HARVESTS AT OUR VGP GARDENS. IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND VOLUNTEERS, WE LOOK FORWARD TO GROWING THE VGP FAMILY OF GARDENS FOR YEARS TO COME!
  4. $19,206 spent. FOOD ACCESS PROGRAM: GOFM ACCEPTS SNAP & DISTRIBUTES THREE ADDITIONAL TYPES OF SUBSIDIZED SUPPORT FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO BUY MORE FRESH FOODS AT OUR WEEKLY MARKETS
  5. $33,075 spent. REAL FOOD PROJECT: WE TEACH FREE COOKING CLASSES AND HOST OPEN COMMUNITY DINNERS. THESE ARE OFFERED TO BOTH THE PUBLIC AND EXCLUSIVELY AT SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING FAMILIES USING WIC BENEFITS, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, OR THE RESIDENTS OF OUR NEIGHBORING GALVESTON HOUSING AUTHORITY RESIDENCE. IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC WE ALSO OPERATE FRESHBOX, A HOME DELIVERY PROGRAM OF FOODS FROM LOCAL VENDORS TO FOOD-INSECURE FAMILIES IN GALVESTON

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.