Wylde Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Founded in 1997, Wylde Center, formerly the Oakhurst Community Garden Project, is a non-profit environmental education organization. It features 7 acres of community greenspace. Wylde Centers main office is located in Decatur, Georgia serving residents in both Decatur and Atlanta. Wylde Center manages two gardens in Decatur and three gardens in Atlanta. Its education programs take place in metro Atlanta. Wylde Center recognizes the importance of engaging with the natural world for youth and adults alike and provides opportunities for doing so through our on-site and outreach programming, membership, imaginative garden features and variety of native habitats. Wylde Center actively engages youth, families, and individuals in their environment, health, and community through organized programs, classes, and events that develop creative skills in sustainable urban living, organic gardening, health and nutrition.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- -11.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 44
- Volunteers
- 2,138
- Highest pay
- $90,000, executive dir.
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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $748,484 spent. For the year ended June 30, 2025, Wylde Center fulfilled its mission through the following programs:CONSERVATION: Urban greenspace conservation and native habitat restoration provide communities with access to nature in the neighborhoods where they live.Wylde Center preserves eight acres of greenspace at five sites (Oakhurst Garden, Sugar Creek Garden, Hawk Hollow, Edgewood Community Learning Garden, and Mulberry Fields Garden), located in four different Decatur and Atlanta neighborhoods across 7 acres. Wylde Center's management of these greenspaces is coupled with impactful, hands-on environmental education for adults and youth, conservation efforts, demonstrations in the gardens, and community food production. Urban greenspace conservation is critical to increasing biodiversity that is threatened by urban over-development. EDUCATION: Environmental science, gardening, and healthy-living education programs to foster a deeper understanding of science, technology, arts, engineering, and math (STEAM) and improve student academic achievement. Wylde Center has one of the largest environmental education programs in our region. Wylde Centers environmental science, gardening, and healthy-living education programs foster a deeper understanding of science, technology, arts, engineering, and math (STEAM) and improve student academic achievement. Wylde Centers programs reach school-aged children throughout the Metro-Atlanta area. Through the Wylde Centers standards-based curriculum, students increase knowledge in all subject areas, with a particular focus on science and natural systems (STEM). On average, the Organization hosts 2,500 school-age children each year for field trips at its four sites, and through its in-school programs, the Wylde Center records 20,000 student interactions with more than 20 schools across the region. Programs at theOrganizations partner schools take place both in the classroom and on the school grounds, many of which have natural areas and vegetable gardens used for hands-on learning. Field trips to the Organizations greenspaces encourage students to explore academic classroom content with a hands-on, experiential approach that inspires curiosity and reinforces learning. Wylde Centers education programs:-Increase time spent outdoors for school-aged children interacting with the natural world through hands-on activities, exploration, and play during field trips, school programs, and camps-Increase exposure to fresh fruits and vegetables through taste tests and cooking classes-Benefit people and the environment through hands-on learning experiences about sustainable living practices PLANT DISTRIBUTION: The plant nursery operation and seasonal plant sales increase access to edible and native plants for community gardens, home gardens, and urban farms.Wylde Centers plant nursery produces over 80,000 seedlings each year for sale to the community. Last year, 5,000 seedlings were donated to school gardens, community gardens, urban farms, and other community partners with food-access programs. Wylde Centers plant nursery increases the amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are grown and consumed in our local community. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Community garden plots, volunteering, and outreach through events and classes that promote gardening, healthy living, sustainability, and a connection to the natural world.Wylde Center is a leader in metro-Atlanta for its robust gardening and education programs. Wylde Center offers lifelong learning opportunities to build environmental awareness, promote sustainability, support community gardening, and connect members of the public with the natural world. Through community garden plots, engaging public events, hands-on workshops, and meaningful opportunities to volunteer, community members gain knowledge and skills. The Organization offers nature and gardening programs for families, nature enthusiasts, and the curious novice. These programs bring value to the four greenspaces Wylde Center manages, while also providing programs that reinforce gardening, having fun in nature,sustainable living, and environmental science.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.