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Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve Inc

EIN 57-1069038 · Spartanburg, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF HATCHER GARDEN AND WOODLAND PRESERVE IS TO PROVIDE A PLACE WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN COME FOR INSPIRATION, ENJOYMENT AND EDUCATION THROUGH THE STUDY OF NATURE.

Income
$424,492
Spending
$436,342
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
5
Volunteers
31

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 93% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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.

  • 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. $248,912 spent. DAILY AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF SPARTANBURG'S UNIQUE, COMMUNITY BOTANICAL GARDEN WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 365 DAYS OF THE YEAR FROM DAWN TO DUSK. SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE ANNUAL FIELD TRIPS TO THE GARDEN LEARNING ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, FLOWERS, TREES AND ANIMALS LIVING IN THE GARDEN. IN ADDITION TO EDUCATIONAL TOURS FOR CHILDREN, WE OFFER GARDEN TOURS TO VISITING GARDEN CLUBS, CHURCH GROUPS AND OTHER TYPES OF GROUPS SUCH AS RETIREES. WE ALSO OFFER GARDEN RENTAL SPACE FOR EVENTS AND WEDDINGS. MANY LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS USE THE GARDEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR FAMILY AND BRIDAL PHOTO PORTRAITS. COMMUNITY HOSPICE ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS SEEKING A PLACE OF INSPIRATION, HEALING AND RENEWAL OFTEN FIND SOLACE WITHIN THE BEAUTY OF THE GARDEN WITH ITS SERIES OF PONDS, STREAMS AND A WATERFALL SURROUNDED BY CONIFERS. ANNUALLY, NEARLY 60,000 PEOPLE, MANY TOURISTS FROM OTHER STATES AND COUNTRIES, VISIT HATCHER GARDEN AND WOODLAND PRESERVE.
  2. NONE OTHER THAN ABOVE PROGRAM
  3. NONE OTHER THAN ABOVE PROGRAM

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 January 1999.

    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.