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Fort Myers-Lee County Garden Council Inc

EIN 59-6174630 · Fort Myers, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GENERAL NATURE AND OBJECTIVE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO FOSTER, PROMOTE AND INCREASE KNOWLEDGE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION AND CONSERVATION IN AND AROUND FORT MYERS AND LEE COUNTY FLORIDA.

Income
$101,430
Spending
$95,039
Reserves
21.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 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 (2)
  1. $48,899 spent. THE COUNCIL ALLOWED THE BERNE DAVIS GARDENS TO BE OPEN YEAR-ROUND, AND WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE EDISON-FORD SPECIAL EVENTS. THE COUNCIL RECOGNIZED MEMBER'S SERVICE WITH COUNCIL AWARDS AND THE BERNE DAVIS HONORARY SERVICE AWARD. THE COUNCIL PARTNERED WITH LEE COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE AND EDISON FORD ESTATES TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR THEIR GARDENING CLASSES. THE COUNCIL CONTINUED TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT WEKIVA CAMP, SEEK CAMP, AND THE EDISON AND FORD SUMMER CAMP. THE COUNCIL STAGED THE STROLLING FLOWER SHOW AT THE SIDNEY AND BERNE DAVIS ART CENTER AND A NGC STANDARD FLOWER SHOW. THE COUNCIL CONTINUED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BERNE DAVIS GARDENS. THE COUNCIL SPONSORED MEETINGS OF OUR FFGC-REGISTERED JUNIOR GARDEN CLUB. THE COUNCIL HOSTED A MOTHERS' DAY TEA FUNDRAISER AND TWO CONCERTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BY SW FIDDLERS IN THE GAZEBO. THE COUNCIL WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF CAPE CORAL AS THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR.
  2. $2,000 spent. AWARDED A $2,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO A DESERVING STUDENT AT FGCU.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending May 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 May 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 1967.

    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.