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Gathering Ground Inc

EIN 81-4217805 · Washington Is, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ENVISION THRIVING COMMUNITIES CONNECTED TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND THEIR FOOD THROUGH WORK AND PLAY. WE CULTIVATE COMMUNITY AND LEARNING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GENEROUS EARTH THROUGH AGRICULTURE.

Income
$222,314
Spending
$65,992
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
47.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
2
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$16,000, board member

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 47.8 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 70% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 242% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $24,000 spent. CHESTNUT BREEDING FOR NORTHERN CLIMATES. IN OUR CHESTNUT ORCHARD AND NURSERY WE HAVE PLANTED OVER 700 CHESTNUT TREES, BREEDING SPECIFICALLY FOR TREES THAT WILL PRODUCE NUT WITH A LOW NUMBER OF DEGREE DAYS, SUITED TO OUR CLIMATE. WE ARE LOOKING TO DEVELOP A VALUABLE FOOD CROP FOR OUR REGION THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE ANNUAL TILLAGE. WORKING WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN OHIO, MICHIGAN, AND WISCONSIN, WE CHOSE GENETICS THAT WILL RIPEN EARLY.
  2. $20,000 spent. COMMUNITY GARDENING. TO PROVIDE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT GARDENING, ORCHARDING AND PRESERVATION, WE ARE DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY GARDEN WHERE ALL AGES CAN COME TOGETHER AND GROW VEGETABLES, PLANT FRUIT AND NUT TREES, AND ENJOY THE HARVEST. OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN IS ALSO ADDING TO THE FOOD SECURITY OF OUR COMMUNITY BY DONATING PRODUCE TO OUR COMMUNITY PANTRY, FAMILIES WITH SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN, AND THE ELDERLY.
  3. $2,678 spent. GROUND SCHOOL, YOUNG ADULT EDUCATION ON CLIMATE-SMART AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. IN ITS 7TH YEAR, GROUND SCHOOL IS NOW A 10-WEEK PROGRAM THAT COMBINES HAND ON LEARNING IN THE FIELD, PRACTICING CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURAL TECHNIQUES AND SEMINAR STUDIES AROUND CURRENT TOPICS IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD EQUITY. WE HAVE REACHED STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
  4. $10,000 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH. SEE SCHEDULE O.

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 March 2017.

    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.