Marion County Master Gardeners Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the MCMGA is to educate and serve the community by supporting and enhancing the sustainable gardening work of the Oregon State University (OSU) Marion County Extension Service. The MCMGA shall, in close cooperation with the OSU Horticulture Agent for Marion County: a. Provide continuing education opportunities. b. Assist with Extension Service responsibilities to provide home horticulture information to the public. c. Develop and maintain appropriate MCMGA involvement in community partnership and public service projects. d. Raise funds and seek contributions in kind for the support of the above activities. e. Provide MCMGA meetings for the benefit of members and the general public.
- Income
- $84,064
- Spending
- $58,510
- Reserves
- 27.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 97%
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 27.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.
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)
- $6,326 spent. Marion Demonstration Garden is a learning garden that is open to the public daily and is free of charge. Marion County Master Gardeners contributed over 3,500 volunteer hours this year maintaining over 30 ever-changing garden themes that demonstrate sustainable research-based gardening techniques. The community may attend free gardening classes, hands on workshops, or garden tours. Master Gardener Volunteers are available to answer questions from the public most Monday mornings. Fruit, vegetables, and plants grown at the garden are donated to partner non-profits during the year.
- $1,796 spent. Junior Master Gardeners is a special interest educational program for youth grades K-12. JMG programs engage children in novel "hands-on" group and individual learning experiences that provide a love of gardening, development an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate leadership, personal responsibility, community involvement and critical thinking skills. MCMGA provides both funding and volunteer support for various projects at school sites and at the Marion Demonstration Garden. Over 600 students were served.
- $3,899 spent. MCMGA is committed to providing a wide variety of research-based opportunities to the home gardener and community. Master Gardeners volunteered over 3,000 hours to free educational programming through a variety of venues: weekly radio spots; lectures (in-person and on zoom); hands-on workshops; information our website; community speakers on request, and community clinics. This year MCMGA developed interactive teaching tools to use at our community clinics and booth at the Oregon State Fair. Farmers markets, and at our own plant sale. MCMGA provides year-round free gardening advice Monday through Friday through our help desk. The public is invited to drop-by, call, or email any gardening questions or problem.
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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
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 June 1998.
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.