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Humboldt Botanical Gardens Foundation

EIN 68-0243631 · Eureka, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ESTABLISH AND PROMOTE AN ENJOYABLE AND EDUCATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE IN OR NEAR HUMBOLDT COUNTY AND NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA. TO PROMOTE THE USE OF BOTANICAL GARDENS BY DEVELOPING BOTANICAL DISPLAYS OF SPECIAL INTEREST, AND FOR CONDUCTING BOTANICAL OR HORTICULTURAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$574,603
Spending
$508,733
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
12
Volunteers
110

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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $276,158 spent. The HBGF maintains a 44.5 acre site that contains over 7 acres of developed formal gardens, a 345 foot elevation overlook with sweeping bay views, multiple hiking trails, and the only 100-foot diameter earth sculpture in the United States. The formal gardens include an ornamental terrace garden,a heather garden,a rose garden, the largest native plant garden in Northern California, a riparian area, and a temperate woodland garden. The site is open to the public year round and hosts a variety of educational programs and special events for people of all ages. Programming includes free admission and docent-led tours to all of schools in Del Norte and Humboldt County.The HBGF encourages research and maintains a plant specimen accession database.
  2. $5,568 spent. THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN PUTTING ON A MUSIC SERIES FOR THE PLEASURE OF ALL THOSE WHO VISIT THE GARDEN.
  3. $3,637 spent. The funds were spent on updating the irrigation system in the Moss Family Temperate Woodland Garden.

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 November 1997.

    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.