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Grow Jackson

EIN 85-3704505 · Jackson, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EMPOWER THE COMMUNITY THROUGH GARDENS, FRESH FOOD ACCESS, AND EDUCTION. INSTEAD OF JUST GROWING FOOD AND GIVING IT AWAY, WE ALSO ARE TEACHING YOUNG PEOPLE HOW TO GROW FOOD, TEACHING THEM WHY FRESH FOOD IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM AND THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND PROVIDING THEM WITH THE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE OF BEING SELF-RELIANT AND EMPOWERING THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

Income
$332,851
Spending
$323,729
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
-0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
15
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$67,388, 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 44% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 66 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    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 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. $132,220 spent. THE URBAN AGRICULTURE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM HIRES LOCAL YOUTH AGES 16-21 FOR PAID SUMMER JOBS IN THE GARDENS. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE PRE-APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING, FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION, AND CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT WHILE GAINING JOB SKILLS AND HELPING GROW HEALTHY FOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.
  2. $47,060 spent. THE SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE JACKSON AREA TO TEACH HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS HOW TO GROW FRESH FOOD. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE, AND NUTRITION EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS K-8.
  3. $38,322 spent. MANAGE AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY GARDENS IN THE CITY OF JACKSON. THESE GARDENS PROVIDE FRESH FOOD FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY. THESE SPACES ALSO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND SENIOR PROGRAMS AND SERVE AS ENGAGEMENT SPACES FOR MANY PARTNERING NON-PROFITS.
  4. $24,595 spent. THE COMMUNITY NUTRITION PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE COMMUNITY DINNERS, GROCERY GIVEAWAYS, AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES USING SNAP (FOOD ASSISTANCE).

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 November 6, 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 May 2021.

    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 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.