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Robert W Monk Gardens Inc

EIN 90-0181069 · Wausau, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING OF THE AESTHETIC, ECONOMIC, AND ECOLOGICAL ROLE OF PLANTS, BOTH IN GARDENS AND IN MORE NATURAL SETTINGS. SUPPORT THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM OF THE UW STEVENS POINT AT MARATHON COUNTY AND PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
-9.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
22
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$85,035, executive di

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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 66% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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, 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)
  1. $837,058 spent. A 29+ ACRE SITE WITHIN THE CITY OF WAUSAU IS BEING DEVELOPED AND MAINTAINED AS A PUBLIC GARDEN. CURRENTLY THE SITE IS ACCESSIBLE WITHOUT CHARGE AND THERE IS NO FORMAL MONITORING OF USAGE, ANECDOTAL REPORTS SUGGEST INCREASING NUMBERS OF VISITORS OVER TIME. EVENTS HELD AT THE SITE ARE EXPERIENCING INCREASING LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION, EFFORTS TO DEVELOP THE SITE ARE PROGRESSING AND INCLUDE A WILDFLOWER WOODS, MEDITATION GARDEN, ACCESSIBLE TREEHOUSE, MEMORIAL GARDEN, AND KITCHEN GARDEN. PLANNING FOR ADDITIONAL DEVLOPMENT IS ALSO UNDERWAY.
  2. $29,330 spent. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED DURING 2024 INCLUDED: GARDEN WORKSHOPS, ONSITE FIELD TRIPS AND CLASSES FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN, TOURS TO THE PUBLIC, SUMMER CAMP AND SCHOOL BREAK PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY-AGED CHILDREN, OUTDOOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION EVENTS FOR ALL AGES, AND OUTDOOR THEATER PERFORMANCE FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE ALSO CONDUCTED A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL NONPROFITS, UWSP-WAUSAU, AND UW- EXTENSION. WE OFFER LANDSCAPE CONSULTING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AT COMMUNITY MEMBERS' HOMES. WE ALSO PROVIDE A NATURE-BASED PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR 3-5 YEAR OLDS.

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 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 2024.

    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 July 2004.

    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.