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Backyard Growers Inc

EIN 47-1553021 · Gloucester, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BACKYARD GROWERS CULTIVATES HEALTHY, CONNECTED, RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND FIGHTS FOR FOOD SOVEREIGNTY BY EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD. WE INCREASE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO VEGETABLE GARDENS AND THE RESOURCES PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES NEED TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD.

Income
$670,514
Spending
$700,186
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
8
Volunteers
475
Highest pay
$90,731, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $434,923 spent. SCHOOL PROGRAMMING IN GLOUCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS. GARDEN-BASED PROGRAMMING AT EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN GLOUCESTER, IN THE SPRING AND THE FALL, ALONG WITH TASTE TEST PROGRAMMING IN ALL GPS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE ACADEMIC YEAR. COMMUNITY GARDEN MANAGEMENT. WE MANAGE 6 COMMUNITY GARDEN SITES THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF GLOUCESTER. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT GARDEN EDUCATION AND RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION THROUGHOUT GLOUCESTER AND THE NORTH SHORE, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR TEEN PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 June 2025.

    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 June 2015.

    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.