Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Growing Gardens

EIN 84-1454093 · Boulder, CO

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

GROWING GARDENS' MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE URBAN AGRICULTURE THAT EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE A DIRECT AND DEEP CONNECTION WITH PLANTS, THE LAND, AND EACH OTHER.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 37%
Employees
59
Volunteers
1,875
Highest pay
$157,479, executive di

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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, 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 (3)
  1. $910,174 spent. GROWING GARDENS HAS THE FOLLOWING MAJOR PROGRAMS: FOOD PROJECT PROGRAM CULTIVA YOUTH PROJECT COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM COMMUNITY CLASSES LOCAL FARM PROJECT GOAT DAIRY PROJECT -------------------- SEE DESCRIPTIONS ON SCHEDULE O --------------------
  2. $745,885 spent. PEACE GARDEN: THE PEACE GARDEN PROGRAM OF GROWING GARDENS PROVIDES NUTRITION EDUCATION AND HANDS-ON LEARNING TO PRESCHOOL- 8TH GRADE CHILDREN. FIELD TRIPS ARE HOSTED ON FARMS IN BOTH BOULDER AND LONGMONT AND EDUCATORS VISIT CLASSROOMS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS THROUGH ST VRAIN VALLEY AND BOULDER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SUMMER CAMPS AND DAY OFF SCHOOL CAMPS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN TO BE ENGAGED AND LEARNING ON THE FARM.
  3. GROWING GARDENS FOOD PROJECT PROGRAM: PROVIDES SEED AND PLANT SEEDLING DONATIONS SO COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIVING ON LOW INCOMES CAN GROW THEIR OWN FOOD. GROWING GARDENS ALSO PARTNERS WITH MANY LOCAL FOOD BANKS TO PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. CULTIVA YOUTH PROJECT: A DIVERSE MIX OF AT-RISK TEENAGERS WORK DAILY CULTIVATING A TWO ACRE ORGANIC GARDEN AND PARTICIPATE IN THE CULTIVA CSA (COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE) FARM MODEL. THIS PROGRAM BUILDS LEADERSHIP, TEAMWORK AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS. WE HAVE CULTIVA SUMMER PROGRAMS ON BOTH OUR BOULDER AND LONGMONT FARMS. ADDITIONALLY TEEN VOLUNTEER GROUPS VISIT FOR SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON. COMMUNITY GARDEN PROGRAM: GROWING GARDENS MANAGES MORE THAN 400 GARDEN PLOTS IN 7 DIFFERENT BOULDER COUNTY NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE OVER 800 GARDNERS STEWARD PLOTS EACH YEAR TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD. PLOTS ARE PROVIDED ON A SLIDING SCALE FEE STRUCTURE. COMMUNITY CLASSES: GROWING GARDENS PROVIDES A NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL CLASSES FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THE TOPICS INCLUDE: GARDENING, FRUIT TREE CARE, LANDSCAPE PLANNING, BEEKEEPING, COOKING, PICKLING, FERMENTING AND BREAD MAKING. WE ALSO OFFER CLASSES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL AGENCIES THAT SERVE SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THIS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY PROGRAM OFFERS WEEKLY GARDENING CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS CLASSES IN COOKING AND CRAFTS USING GARDEN PLANTS. LOCAL FARM PROJECT: THE LOCAL FARM PROJECT GOALS ARE TO CREATE A FOOD HUB AND EDUCATION CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. THE LOCAL FARM INCREASES FOOD ACCESS FOR ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PROVIDES SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO INCREASE LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION AS WELL AS EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND FARMERS. GOAT DAIRY PROJECT: THE GOAT DAIRY OPERATES A MICRO-DAIRY WITH HERDSHARE MEMBERS, RAW MILK DISTRIBUTION AND CLASSES AND EVENTS THAT FOCUS ON HUMANE ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND THE ROLE OF ANIMALS IN OUR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.