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Mill City Grows Inc

EIN 47-2096070 · Lowell, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MILL CITY GROWS, INC. FOSTERS FOOD JUSTICE BY IMPROVING PHYSICAL HEALTH, ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN LOWELL THROUGH INCREASED ACCESS TO LAND, LOCALLY-GROWN FOOD AND EDUCATION.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
23
Volunteers
599
Highest pay
$85,521, coexecutive

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 65% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
  1. $514,916 spent. URBAN FARM: OUR EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTION FARMS ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, HANDS-ON FOOD PRODUCTION AND VOLUNTEERISM. MCG STAFF OPERATE THE FARMS. IN 2022, WE ALSO BEGAN OFFERING PLOTS TO MARKET GARDENERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GROWING CULTURAL CROPS FOR THE COMMUNITY OR ESTABLISHING SMALL FOOD BUSINESSES. WE ALSO WELCOME HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS AND NUMEROUS LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS WHO DONATE TIME TO SUPPORTING URBAN AGRICULTURE. GARDENERS ACCESS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SUPPLIES; THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF PRODUCE IS GROWN AND DISTRIBUTED INTO THE COMMUNITY EACH YEAR. A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, THE FARM DEMONSTRATES HOW HEALTHY, LOCAL FOOD CAN BE AN ECONOMIC STIMULATOR. MOBILE MARKET: OUR FARM STAND ON WHEELS, OPERATING THROUGH THE SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL, PROVIDES CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE PRODUCE IN LOW ACCESS AREAS. CUSTOMERS CAN ACCESS PRODUCE FOR FREE USING VARIOUS INCENTIVE PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE MASSACHUSETTS HEALTHY INCENTIVE PROGRAM. WE ALSO OPERATE INDOOR MARKETS IN THE WINTER. STARTING IN 2020, WE BEGAN A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE PROGRAM, OFFERING A WEEKLY ALLOTMENT OF SEASONAL PRODUCE FOR HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT LOWELL. URBAN FARM: OUR EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTION FARMS ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, HANDS-ON FOOD PRODUCTION AND VOLUNTEERISM. MCG STAFF OPERATE THE FARMS. IN 2022, WE ALSO BEGAN OFFERING PLOTS TO MARKET GARDENERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GROWING CULTURAL CROPS FOR THE COMMUNITY OR ESTABLISHING SMALL FOOD BUSINESSES. WE ALSO WELCOME HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS AND NUMEROUS LOCAL YOUTH GROUPS WHO DONATE TIME TO SUPPORTING URBAN AGRICULTURE. GARDENERS ACCESS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SUPPLIES; THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF PRODUCE IS GROWN AND DISTRIBUTED INTO THE COMMUNITY EACH YEAR. A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE, THE FARM DEMONSTRATES HOW HEALTHY, LOCAL FOOD CAN BE AN ECONOMIC STIMULATOR. MOBILE MARKET: OUR FARM STAND ON WHEELS, OPERATING THROUGH THE SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL, PROVIDES CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE PRODUCE IN LOW ACCESS AREAS. CUSTOMERS CAN ACCESS PRODUCE FOR FREE USING VARIOUS INCENTIVE PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE MASSACHUSETTS HEALTHY INCENTIVE PROGRAM. WE ALSO OPERATE INDOOR MARKETS IN THE WINTER. STARTING IN 2020, WE BEGAN A COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE PROGRAM, OFFERING A WEEKLY ALLOTMENT OF SEASONAL PRODUCE FOR HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT LOWELL.
  2. $357,043 spent. FOOD EDUCATION: OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE: IN-SCHOOL, AFTER SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL GARDENING AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, GRADES K-12; MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL GARDENS AT LOWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS; PROVISION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN GARDENING EDUCATION TO EDUCATORS; FARM TO TABLE COOKING CLASSES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES OFFERED IN PERSON AND ONLINE; AND PROVIDING RECIPES AND NUTRITION INFORMATION IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN OUR PROGRAMS.
  3. $287,213 spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: MILL CITY GROWS' COMMUNITY PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR COMMUNITY GARDENS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION. OUR TEAM OVERSEES THE GARDENS, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, GENERAL OVERSIGHT OF THE GARDEN AND SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEER GARDEN AMBASSADORS, WHO BUILD STRONG COMMUNITY NETWORKS IN THE GARDENS. OUR COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR GARDENER TRAINING PROGRAM: A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS WHICH PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH THE HANDS-ON KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO GROW AND EAT FOOD ORGANICALLY AND SAFELY IN THE CITY; AND THE GARDEN AMBASSADORS WORKSHOP: A WINTER LEADERSHIP COURSE DESIGNED TO TEACH THE TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED TO OVERSEE ONGOING GARDEN MAINTENANCE AND PROVIDE RESIDENT LEADERSHIP IN THE GARDEN COMMUNITY.

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 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 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.