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Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee

EIN 88-2669216 · Mukwonago, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee is to educate members and the community about the art and science of gardening floral design landscape design and horticulture. We embrace best practices that promote sustainability protect the environment and conserve our natural resources. We volunteer ini our community to share our passion for the natural world.

Income
$217,858
Spending
$179,395
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 63%
Employees
0
Volunteers
100

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 67% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    0 of 10

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (4)
  1. $145,780 spent. Internal program expenses include speaker fees room rental meal expense workshop supplies workshop space rental transportation and educational day and overnight trips for members. Revenue is from members payment to the club for the meals workshop tuition and travel costs. The club funds all room rental fees speaker fees gratuities and planning expenses for the events.
  2. $14,000 spent. Scholarships were awarded to six students who attend University of Wisconsin campuses and Technical Colleges. Two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each were awarded to students who attend Milwaukee Area Technical College. Three $3,000 scholarships were awarded to students who attend the University of Wisconsin campuses and $3,000 was awarded to a student participating in the Capstone program at the University of Wisconsin School of Landscape Architecture.
  3. $7,119 spent. The club donated funds to Boerner Botanical Garden Teens Grow Green Habitat for Humanity Lakeshore State Park Alices Garden Milwaukee Victory Garden Initiative among other local organizations.
  4. $12,496 spent. General and administrative expenses insurance and business registration fees plus dues paid to the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation and the Milwaukee District Garden Clubs. Also included are expenses for the Annual Meeting and the Annual Club Fundraiser event.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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 August 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 November 2022.

    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.