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Green Restaurant Association

EIN 52-2247891 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Facilitate the restaurant industry to achieve ecological sustainability regarding energy, water, waste, packaging, chemicals, building, and food. This is performed via education, green audits, certification, and environmental consulting to restaurants, manufacturers, distributors, and consumers.

Income
$784,138
Spending
$5.5 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
14
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$287,083, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 602% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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)
  1. $5.3 million spent. RESTAURANTS: Over 1,000 restaurants that are signed up to become more environmentally sustainable. Certified Green Restaurants(R) now in over 50 states and territories. Over 30,000 environmental steps on record, vetted by the GRA.
  2. $139,867 spent. VENDORS: Scores of vendors, representing hundreds of products and thousands of restaurants. Green Products, Green Distributors, Green Services Programs. Vetted against the Green Restaurant Association Environmental Standards.
  3. $27,978 spent. EDUCATION: Sent Hundreds of Thousands of Green Restaurant News and social media to restaurants and consumers all around the country. Gave speeches and lectures. Wrote educational articles. Educated restaurant employees through presentations and education accreditation program. Provided free Green Products Guides to tens of thousands of restaurants.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 October 2001.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: National Restaurant Association (Washington, DC), EIN 36-1525480. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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