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Bullington Gardens Inc

EIN 47-5564883 · Hendersonvlle, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CONNECT CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED HORTICULTURE EDUCATION; TO DEMONSTRATE THE BEAUTY AND VALUE OF NATIVE AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS THROUGH THEMED PUBLIC GARDENS; AND TO ENHANCE THE LIFE SKILLS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CHALLENGES THROUGH HORTICULTURE THERAPY.

Income
$314,727
Spending
$240,828
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
17 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
6
Volunteers
121
Highest pay
$36,236, 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (3)
  1. $42,591 spent. HORTICULTURE THERAPY PROGRAMS OFFERING PLANT-BASED ACTIVITIES TO STUDENTS AND ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AS A MEANS OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT, REHABILITATION AND WELLNESS. STUDENTS TEND GARDENS, LEARN PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES, AND ENJOY THE GROUNDS. SERVED 536 STUDENTS AND 646 TEENS.
  2. $33,706 spent. CONDUCT WORKSHOPS THAT CONNECT CHILDREN AND ADULTS TO THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED HORTICULTURE EDUCATION. EDUCATED OVER 525 ADULTS IN EDUCATIONAL CLASSES OR ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOPS. TAUGHT 492 STUDENTS IN CLASSES OR FIELD TRIPS.
  3. $129,724 spent. PROVIDE A BOTANICAL EXPERIENCE FOR THE USE, EDUCATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THE GENERAL POPULATION. HELD 26 WORKSHOPS OR COMMUNITY EVENTS IN 2024. HOSTED 8,970 VISITORS TO FAIRY TRAIL, 100 FOR PERENNIAL PLANT ASSOCIATION AND 2,208 OTHER VISITORS IN GENERAL.

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 2025.

    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 March 2016.

    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.