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Garden Raised Bounty

EIN 91-1594312 · Olympia, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GARDEN-RAISED BOUNTY (GRUB) IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO GROW HEALTHY FOOD, PEOPLE, AND COMMUNITY. WITH ROOTS IN THE LAND, WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO LEAD, LEARN, AND THRIVE. WE ENVISION AN EQUITABLE WORLD WHERE WE ARE ALL NOURISHED BY HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, RESILIENT COMMUNITY, AND GOOD FOOD. GRUB PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICES TO AND FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THURSTON COUNTY AND PROVIDES CONSULTATIVE, COLLABORATIVE SERVICES TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON STATE, AND ON OCCASION, NATIONALLY, AS WELL AS TO TRIBAL NATIONS LOCATED IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION. GRUB MAINTAINS VARIOUS PROGRAMS INCLUDING YOUTH PROGRAMS, A FARM, COMMUNITY FOOD SOLUTIONS, POLLINATION (ALSO KNOWN AS PROGRAM REPLICATION), AND TEND, GATHER & GROW (A PROGRAM FOCUSES ON WILD FOODS AND MEDICINE).

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
58
Volunteers
173
Highest pay
$90,628, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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. $469,174 spent. YOUTH PROGRAMSGRUB PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY YOUTH (YOUTH WHO ARE EXPERIENCING BARRIERS TO SUCCESS) A SAFE AND ENGAGING LEARNING AND WORK ENVIRONMENT ROOTED IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE. PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS, LAND-BASED LEARNING (PLANT IDENTIFICATION, GROWING FOOD AND FLOWERS, COOKING, FOOD SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTION) CULTIVATING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS, BUILDING COMMUNITY, AND GAINING A NETWORK OF POSITIVE ADULT AND PEER MENTORS.IN 2024-2025, WE ENGAGED A TOTAL OF 37 YOUTH ACROSS OUR SUMMER, FALL, AND SPRING COHORTS. YOUTH GREW OVER 4,769 LBS OF FOOD FOR THEMSELVES, THE COMMUNITY, AND LOCAL HUNGER RELIEF PROGRAMS AND HAD MORE AGENCY IN HOW THE FOOD WAS GROWN AND DISTRIBUTED. YOUTH EXPERIENCED IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-CONFIDENCE, OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTURE, INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, AMONG OTHER POSITIVE OUTCOMES.FROM THE VOICE OF A YOUTH PROGRAM PARTICIPANT:"I LOVE THE STAFF AND TEAM MEMBERS I WORK WITH AND FEEL HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD AND APPRECIATED BY THEM. I TRULY LOVE FARMING AND WORKING AT GRUB, AND THAT'S WHAT STANDS OUT THE MOST TO ME THIS WHOLE YEAR: THE LOVE AND JOY."2024 YOUTH PARTICIPANT.
  2. $1,111 spent. WILD FOODS & MEDICINES PROGRAMSOUR WILD FOODS AND MEDICINES PROGRAM OFFERS EDUCATION, COMMUNITY CLASSES, TEACHER TRAINING, AND TRIBAL INTERNSHIPS TO HELP PEOPLE CONNECT WITH THE LAND. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GRUB AND LOCAL TRIBES, TEND, GATHER, AND GROW (TGG) IS A K-12 STEAM PROGRAM THAT EDUCATES STUDENTS ABOUT WILD PLANTS, LOCAL LANDSCAPES, AND THE RICH CULTURAL TRADITIONS SURROUNDING THEM. DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTHWEST INDIAN TREATMENT CENTER, PLANT TEACHINGS FOR BUILDING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS INCLUDES A BOOK, PLANT CARDS, AN ACTIVITY GUIDE, AND MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES. THE TOOLKIT HELPS TO TEACH HOW PLANTS CAN LEAD US IN BEING HEALTHY AND RESILIENT.WE OFFERED 25 TEACHER TRAININGS BASED ON OUR PLANT TEACHINGS FOR OVER 435 PEOPLE, TRAINED 17 PEOPLE ON SALTWATER BEACH WORKSHOP, OFFERED 7 FULL DAY TRAININGS FOR 115 TEACHERS, DELIVERED 65 SETS OF THE TEND CURRICULUM TO INTERESTED GROUPS, OFFERED 17 OFF-SITE TRAININGS, AND MORE! OUR WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS REPORTED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE AND CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY OF PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND PLACES. IN 2024-2025, WE CONTINUED WORK ON OUR NATURE TRAIL WHERE WE PRACTICED CONSERVATION, CREATED VERNAL POOLS AND PONDS, ADDED SIGNAGE, AND MORE! WE ALSO LAUNCHED A BRAND NEW INTERACTIVE WEBSITE CALLED THE CEDAR BOX EXPERIENCE THAT ALLOWS USERS TO EXPLORE INDIGENOUS FOODS, LAND STEWARDSHIP, AND SEASONAL COAST SALISH TEACHINGS.FROM THE VOICE OF A WILD FOODS AND MEDICINES PARTICIPANT:"I HAVE LIVED IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST MY ENTIRE LIFE WITHOUT KNOWING THE NAMES, PROPERTIES, AND MOST CERTAINLY MEDICINES OF OUR TREE FRIENDS. I AM A REGISTERED NURSE AND REALIZE HOW LIMITED MY EDUCATION IS IN HAVING BEEN TAUGHT FROM ONLY ONE WAY OF KNOWING. I AM INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS SPACE AND OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN. AS I THINK ABOUT ALDER, COTTONWOOD, WILLOW, I AM THINKING OF THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP CHILDREN KNOW HISTORY RELATED TO THIS LAND, PLACE, AND PEOPLE" 2024 WILD FOODS AND MEDICINES PARTICIPANT
  3. $460,181 spent. COMMUNITY FOOD SOLUTIONS PROGRAMSOUR COMMUNITY FOOD SOLUTIONS PROGRAM IS COMPOSED OF TWO MAIN PROJECTS: OUR GRUB GARDEN PROJECT AND OUR VETERAN PROGRAMMING.THE GRUB GARDEN PROJECT INCREASES FOOD SECURITY AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION THROUGH BUILDING FREE BACKYARD GARDENS FOR AND WITH FAMILIES WITH LOW INCOMES AND PROVIDING GARDENERS WITH ONGOING SUPPORT AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL. IN 2024-2025, WE BUILT 37 NEW HOME GARDENS, 3 COMMUNITY GARDENS, AND SUPPORTED 121 PEOPLE THROUGH 8 COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS. 100% OF THE GRUB GARDENERS WHO RESPONDED TO POST-SEASON SURVEYS REPORTED THEY PARTIALLY OR FULLY MET GARDENING GOALS!FROM THE VOICE OF A GRUB GARDEN RECIPIENT - "I WAS SO GRATEFUL THAT GRUB BUILT ME A GARDEN BED THIS YEAR! THE TEAM THAT CAME OUT TO BUILD THE BED WERE SO FRIENDLY AND HARD-WORKING. IT WAS FUN AND MADE ME FEEL CONFIDENT TO HELP THEM WITH THE BUILD. I GOT SEVERAL STARTS AND SEEDS FROM GRUB TOO. MY GARDEN IS REALLY THRIVING. THIS IS THE BIGGEST AND MOST AMBITIOUS GARDEN THAT I'VE ATTEMPTED AND WITH THE HELP AND RESOURCES FROM GRUB, IT'S DOING GREAT! SO FAR, I'VE MADE PESTO AND LOTS OF SALADS. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BORSCHT AND DOING SOME FERMENTING AND CANNING SOON."2024 GRUB GARDEN RECIPIENT.GRUB'S VETERAN PROGRAMMING OFFERS HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND DEVELOP SKILLS IN SUSTAINABLE SMALL-SCALE URBAN AGRICULTURE, BEEKEEPING CERTIFICATIONS, AND FOOD PRODUCTION. IN 2024-2025, WE SUPPORTED 54 VETERANS IN THEIR BEEKEEPING ENDEAVORS IN OUR HEALING THROUGH HIVES PROJECT, AND 15 VETERAN FARMERS AND ENTREPRENEURS IN OUR SHEPHERDS PROJECT. WE ALSO PROVIDED SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION THROUGH WORK TEACHING WORKSHOPS ON BASE, PROVIDING PEER-SUPPORT TRAINING, AND HOSTING NETWORKING AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. WITH HELP, WE ALSO DESIGNED AND BUILT GARDEN BEDS AND APIARIES AT THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION."I ATTENDED A GRUB BEEKEEPING LEARNING CIRCLE EARLIER THIS YEAR WITH NO EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT I WOULD EXPERIENCE. I MET SO MANY LOVELY LADIES WHO UNDERSTOOD THE VALUE OF NATURE AND GIVING BACK TO IT. GRUB IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE WITH SUCH A PEACEFUL AMBIANCE AND GARDEN. I CREDIT THIS EXPERIENCE WITH FINALLY HAVING THE COURAGE TO CRACK MY OWN HIVE OPEN AND DIVE IN! THE EXCITEMENT FOR BEEKEEPING FROM THE LADIES OF GRUB WAS INFECTIOUS! I GOT A CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH OTHER WOMEN INTERESTED IN AGRICULTURE BUT I ALSO SHARED A COMMON BACKGROUND WITH THEM DUE TO OUR MILITARY SERVICE. BEING A FEMALE VETERAN CAN BE ISOLATING AND THIS OPPORTUNITY HELPED TO IGNITE MY PASSION FOR AGRICULTURE ALL OVER AGAIN. I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS TO ANY FEMALE VETERANS WITH AN INTEREST IN GARDENING, BEEKEEPING, OR JUST CONNECTING WITH THE PEACE OF GRUB AND OTHER VETERANS."APPRENTICE BEEKEEPER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 July 1993.

    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.

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