Urban Woodlands Community Gardens Inc DBA the Lotus Garden
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Providing a community garden for quiet enjoyment, gardening, and education
- Income
- $19,977
- Spending
- $18,110
- Reserves
- 35.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $7,847 spent. CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A .18 ACRE ROOFTOP GARDEN FOR COMMUNITY ENJOYMENT. The garden is planted with a wide variety of trees, ornamentals, perennials and shrubs, and contains fish ponds with aquatic plants, a labelled herb garden and small seating areas. In 2025, 185 new community members joined the garden and 297 renewed their membership. Of those, 89 donated $50 or more which comprised 60% of our membership revenue. Membership is nominally a $20 donation, $10 for seniors. The garden is open to all on Sundays when two gardeners are in attendance.
- $2,754 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION In 2025 we welcomed 11 school and adult groups comprising about 125 individuals in total. We also participated in New York Open House and had 300 visitors that day. We hosted three annual garden events including a Halloween party for all neighborhood children and their care givers attended by about 100 people; a Kids Arts and Crafts Day open to all and attended by 40 people; and our Summer Solstice Garden Reception attended by about 90 community members. We maintain a website.
- $3,193 spent. CREATION OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ACTIVELY GARDEN AND TO VOLUNTEER We provided 36 active Gardener Members opportunities to garden by providing plants, supplies and tools. We utilized 20 community member volunteers interested in gardening who assisted with watering, composting, bulb planting, and cleanup. We provided Community Service Credits totaling 250 hours for 25 High School volunteers who helped with welcoming visitors during Sunday open hours, sweeping paths and steps, replacing plot edging, weeding, carrying heavy items, laying mulch on paths, cutting up pruning debris, and other garden tasks.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on January 15, 2015.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.