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River Oaks Garden Club

EIN 74-1145998 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The purpose of River Oaks Garden Club is to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening and to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and action in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.

Income
$899,674
Spending
$914,844
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
27.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
3
Volunteers
467

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

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    56 of 56 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 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 (4)
  1. $325,128 spent. See Schedule OThe River Oaks Garden Club seeks to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening through meetings, conferences and publications and to foster conservation, civic improvement and education. The Club supports other educational and cultural organizations that advance the club's mission. The organizations supported during the 2024-2025 fiscal year are listed on Schedule I. A Garden Book for Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast, first published in 1929, was entirely updated, expanded and redesigned with an emphasis on environmentally friendly gardening and native plants. The current edition, released in March 2013, reaffirms the commitment of River Oaks Garden Club to preserving our environment, promoting sustainability, and planting with a purpose. Included are lists of the newest varieties of plants native to the Houston area, and updated ideas on organic gardening practices, drainage, pruning and watering.
  2. $208,213 spent. The Garden Club funds the maintenance of the Bayou Bend Gardens, a part of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. In addition to this funding, 35 club members voluntarily work in the gardens on a weekly basis, both maintaining the gardens and propagating plants for the gardens. The Club also funds, and the volunteers create, fresh floral arrangements each week for the Bayou Bend House for the daily public tours.
  3. $173,396 spent. The Forum of Civics building and gardens, the club headquarters, are open to the public. The building may be rented for events and was rented 44 times during the year. The Garden Club also hosts an annual Seniors' Open House Day and invites residents of local senior living facilities to visit the Club for a guided building and gardens tour, a floral demonstration, and refreshments.
  4. $352 spent. The Club sponsors the Azalea Trail, a tour of Bayou Bend as well as several members' gardens, every other year. The Forum of Civics building is also on the tour and is the site of many educational displays and question and answer sessions with gardening experts. Over 5,000 people typically attend this three-day event and all members of the club volunteer a minimum of ten hours to help stage the event. The tour was not held during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Source: Form 990 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 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 May 2025.

    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 May 1962.

    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.