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Growing Hope Inc

EIN 74-3091845 · Ypsilanti, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOSTERS AN EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM WHERE ALL PEOPLE ARE EMPOWERED TO GROW, SELL, BUY, PREPARE, AND EAT NOURISHING FOOD.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$894,590
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
28
Volunteers
160
Highest pay
$78,924, executive di

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $203,738 spent. FARM AND GARDEN PROGRAMS: THIS PROGRAM EMPOWERS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO GROW, PREPARE, AND EAT NOURISHING FOOD WITH HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH WORKSHOPS, TRAINING, AND FIELD TRIPS ON THE ORGANIZATION'S URBAN FARM DEMONSTRATION GARDENS. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS YPSILANTI HOME, COMMUNITY, AND SCHOOL GARDENS BY PROVIDING RAISED BEDS, COMPOST, SEEDLINGS/SEEDS, TOOLS, AND MENTORSHIP. IN 2024: - 6,208 POUNDS OF PRODUCE FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS GARDEN WERE GIVEN BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. -12,000 SEEDLINGS WERE GIVEN TO THE NEARBY AREA TO GARDNERS FOR HOME AND COMMUNITY GARDENS. -60 NEW GARDEN BEDS WERE BUILT FOR THE HOME VEGETABLE GARDEN PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. - 4,587 SEED PACKETS WERE DISTRIBUTED. -83 TOOLS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE NEW TOOL-LENDING LIBRARY. FARM AND GARDEN PROGRAMS: THIS PROGRAM EMPOWERS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO GROW, PREPARE, AND EAT NOURISHING FOOD WITH HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH WORKSHOPS, TRAINING, AND FIELD TRIPS ON THE ORGANIZATION'S URBAN FARM DEMONSTRATION GARDENS. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS YPSILANTI HOME, COMMUNITY, AND SCHOOL GARDENS BY PROVIDING RAISED BEDS, COMPOST, SEEDLINGS/SEEDS, TOOLS, AND MENTORSHIP. IN 2024: - 6,208 POUNDS OF PRODUCE FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS GARDEN WERE GIVEN BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. -12,000 SEEDLINGS WERE GIVEN TO THE NEARBY AREA TO GARDNERS FOR HOME AND COMMUNITY GARDENS. -60 NEW GARDEN BEDS WERE BUILT FOR THE HOME VEGETABLE GARDEN PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. - 4,587 SEED PACKETS WERE DISTRIBUTED. -83 TOOLS WERE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE NEW TOOL-LENDING LIBRARY.
  2. $255,324 spent. FARMERS MARKET PROGRAMS: WITH AN EMPHASIS ON INCREASING ACCESS TO LOCAL FRESH FOODS FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, THE ORGANIZATION MANAGES THE DEPOT TOWN YPSILANTI FARMERS MARKET, WHICH PROVIDES A VIBRANT COMMUNITY SPACE FOR LOCAL FARMERS AND FOOD MAKERS TO SELL DIRECTLY TO CUSTOMERS. ADDITIONALLY, IT MANAGES THE YPSI AREA ONLINE MARKET, A SAFE AND CONVENIENT OPTION. SIX FORMS OF FOOD ASSISTANCE BENEFITS ARE ACCEPTED AT ALL MARKETS. IN 2024: - 215,000 OF LOCAL FOODS AND GOODS WERE SOLD THROUGH THE YPSILANTI AREA ONLINE MARKET AND THE YPSILANTI FARMERS MARKET. -17% OF THE MARKET SALES USED FOOD ASSISTANCE. -120 LOCAL FARMERS AND FOOD PRODUCERS SOLD THEIR PRODUCTS THROUGH THE PROGRAM. -ON AVERAGE 700 INDIVIDUALS VISISTED THE MARKET, WHILE 200 VISITED THE INDOOR WINTER MARKET EACH WEEK. -100 ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS REGISTERED FOR THE POWER OF PRODUCE CLUB. FARMERS MARKET PROGRAMS: WITH AN EMPHASIS ON INCREASING ACCESS TO LOCAL FRESH FOODS FOR UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, THE ORGANIZATION MANAGES THE DEPOT TOWN YPSILANTI FARMERS MARKET, WHICH PROVIDES A VIBRANT COMMUNITY SPACE FOR LOCAL FARMERS AND FOOD MAKERS TO SELL DIRECTLY TO CUSTOMERS. ADDITIONALLY, IT MANAGES THE YPSI AREA ONLINE MARKET, A SAFE AND CONVENIENT OPTION. SIX FORMS OF FOOD ASSISTANCE BENEFITS ARE ACCEPTED AT ALL MARKETS. IN 2024: - 215,000 OF LOCAL FOODS AND GOODS WERE SOLD THROUGH THE YPSILANTI AREA ONLINE MARKET AND THE YPSILANTI FARMERS MARKET. -17% OF THE MARKET SALES USED FOOD ASSISTANCE. -120 LOCAL FARMERS AND FOOD PRODUCERS SOLD THEIR PRODUCTS THROUGH THE PROGRAM. -ON AVERAGE 700 INDIVIDUALS VISISTED THE MARKET, WHILE 200 VISITED THE INDOOR WINTER MARKET EACH WEEK. -100 ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS REGISTERED FOR THE POWER OF PRODUCE CLUB.
  3. $198,011 spent. YOUTH AND SCHOOLS PROGRAMS: GARDEN-BASED NUTRITION EDUCATION IS PROVIDED FOR PRE-K THROUGH 8TH-GRADE YOUTH AT THE ORGANIZATION'S URBAN FARM IN CLASSROOMS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER CAMPS, AND THROUGH ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE YPSILANTI'S FARM TO SCHOOL INITIATIVE. IN ITS YEAR- ROUND TEEN EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, TEENS GROW THEIR LEADERSHIP AND JOB SKILLS WHILE WORKING ON THE ORGANIZATION'S URBAN FARM, AT ITS MARKETS, AND IN ITS INCUBATOR KITCHEN, CREATING THE NEXT CHANGEMAKERS IN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. IN 2024: - 12 TEENS PARTICIPATED IN THE PAID LEADERSHIP PROGRAM -638 YOUTHS TOOK PART IN THE STEM-BASED FIELD TRIPS TO THE GROWING HOPE FARM AND THE YPSILANTI FARMERS MARKET. - 12 OF THE LOCAL YPSILANTI COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN THE FARM TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. -5 ENGAGEMENTS WERE ORGANIZED BY THE TEEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. -ENGAGED IN 81 YOUTH AND SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS. -YOUTH PROGRAM PARTICIPATED IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE'S 2024 YOUTH DRIVEN SPACES COHORT. YOUTH AND SCHOOLS PROGRAMS: GARDEN-BASED NUTRITION EDUCATION IS PROVIDED FOR PRE-K THROUGH 8TH-GRADE YOUTH AT THE ORGANIZATION'S URBAN FARM IN CLASSROOMS, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUMMER CAMPS, AND THROUGH ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE YPSILANTI'S FARM TO SCHOOL INITIATIVE. IN ITS YEAR- ROUND TEEN EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, TEENS GROW THEIR LEADERSHIP AND JOB SKILLS WHILE WORKING ON THE ORGANIZATION'S URBAN FARM, AT ITS MARKETS, AND IN ITS INCUBATOR KITCHEN, CREATING THE NEXT CHANGEMAKERS IN THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. IN 2024: - 12 TEENS PARTICIPATED IN THE PAID LEADERSHIP PROGRAM -638 YOUTHS TOOK PART IN THE STEM-BASED FIELD TRIPS TO THE GROWING HOPE FARM AND THE YPSILANTI FARMERS MARKET. - 12 OF THE LOCAL YPSILANTI COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN THE FARM TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. -5 ENGAGEMENTS WERE ORGANIZED BY THE TEEN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS. -ENGAGED IN 81 YOUTH AND SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONS. -YOUTH PROGRAM PARTICIPATED IN THE NEUTRAL ZONE'S 2024 YOUTH DRIVEN SPACES COHORT.
  4. $79,524 spent. FOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP. WITH THE GOAL OF GROWING THE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY, THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS START-UP FOOD MAKERS WITH ACCESS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S INCUBATOR KITCHEN. WITH 24/7 ACCESS TO A COMMERICAL-GRADE FACILITY, RENTERS ARE ASSISTED WITH FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS, LICENSING, AND CREATING CONNECTIONS WITH GROWERS AND RETAIL MARKETS. IN 2024: - 25 LOCAL BUSINESSES UTILIZED THE GROWING HOPE INCUBATOR KITCHEN SERVICES -60% OF THE PROGRAM IS MADE UP OF BLACK,INDIGENOUS, OR PERSON OF COLOR OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESSES. -56% OF THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ARE WOMAN OWNED AND OPERATED. - 4 BUSINESSES WERE ABLE TO OPEN UP THEIR OWN BRICK AND MORTAR STORES DUE TO GROWING HOPES PROGRAM.
  5. FOOD ENTREPRENEURSHIP. WITH THE GOAL OF GROWING THE LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY, THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS START-UP FOOD MAKERS WITH ACCESS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S INCUBATOR KITCHEN. WITH 24/7 ACCESS TO A COMMERICAL-GRADE FACILITY, RENTERS ARE ASSISTED WITH FOOD SAFETY REGULATIONS, LICENSING, AND CREATING CONNECTIONS WITH GROWERS AND RETAIL MARKETS. IN 2024: - 25 LOCAL BUSINESSES UTILIZED THE GROWING HOPE INCUBATOR KITCHEN SERVICES -60% OF THE PROGRAM IS MADE UP OF BLACK,INDIGENOUS, OR PERSON OF COLOR OWNED AND OPERATED BUSINESSES. -56% OF THE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ARE WOMAN OWNED AND OPERATED. - 4 BUSINESSES WERE ABLE TO OPEN UP THEIR OWN BRICK AND MORTAR STORES DUE TO GROWING HOPES 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 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 January 2004.

    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.