Peckerwood Gardens Conservation Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Peckerwood Gardens Conservation Foundation dba John Fairey Garden was established to preserve existing collections, support continued plant explorations and trials, and develop, maintain and preserve the land and facilities of John Fairey Gardens.
- Income
- $614,837
- Spending
- $610,780
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 25.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 24
- Highest pay
- $96,480, executive director
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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 25.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (2)
- $405,189 spent. John Fairey Garden is a repository of rare plants from the US, Mexico, and Asia and a unique collection of folk art from Mexico. Balancing artistic expression and scientific discovery fosters educational and scientific programs and encourages greater knowledge and appreciation of horticulture.
- $15,778 spent. French Gardens Tour - See Schedule ODuring the tax year, John Fairey Garden planned a tour of French gardens in Paris and the Loire Valley scheduled for early summer 2025. The purpose of the tour is to give supporters of John Fairey Garden an opportunity to see other gardens, both private and public, traditional and non-traditional, in an effort to provide horticultural and aesthetic context to John Fairey Garden. Specifically, tour participants will have an opportunity to visit Le Prieure de Vauboin, a private garden owned and designed by Thierry Juge, known for Juge's whimsical approach to topiary and gardening in general. Tour participants will also have an opportunity to visit another private garden designed by Nick Tomlin, an American garden designer living in France. This particular garden is a dry garden that requires very little maintenance. John Fairey Garden is known for its dry gardens, and this tour will provide an educational opportunity for participants to see the range of possibilities for dry gardens.
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
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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 March 1999.
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 November 4, 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.