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Blue Watermelon Project Inc

EIN 92-0867893 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BLUE WATERMELON PROJECT IS A GROUP OF CHEFS, RESTAURATEURS, FARMERS, AND COMMUNITY FOOD ADVOCATES WHO WORK TOGETHER IN A COLLECTIVE AND COMMITTED EFFORT TO EXPAND, ENCOURAGE, AND EDUCATE STUDENTS TO DEVELOP HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOOD.

Income
$201,885
Spending
$361,546
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
7.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
3
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$49,923, 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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 79% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 81% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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

    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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $167,836 spent. CHEF IN THE GARDEN - A GARDEN-BASED PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO RETHINK UNFAMILIAR FOODS THROUGH GROWING AND COOKING ACTIVITIES. BLUE WATERMELON PROJECT WORKS WITH TEACHERS AND STAFF TO INTEGRATE TASTE EDUCATION AND HANDS-ON CULINARY AND GARDEN TECHNIQUES INTO CURRICULUM TO ENGAGE ALL SENSES AND ENCOURAGE LEARNING THROUGH DOING. BUILDING SKILL AT SCHOOL FOSTERS A DEEPER CONNECTION TO CLASSROOM LEARNING CONCEPTS SO THEY ARE MORE EMPOWERED TO CREATE AT HOME. THIS PROGRAM MAKES STUDENT RECIPES AND SOURCES ACCESSIBLE, SO PARENTS AND FAMILIES CAN EXPLORE AND EXPAND ON OUR EFFORTS.
  2. $72,097 spent. FEEDING THE FUTURE - A STUDENT COMPETITION CHALLENGING TEAMS TO CREATE A MEAL THAT MEETS FEDERAL NUTRITION AND FISCAL GUIDELINES OF THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM STRIVES TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE SCHOOL FOOD PROFESSION AND THE WONDERFUL HUMANS THAT FEED KIDS EVERY DAY. FEEDING THE FUTURE DOUBLES AS BOTH A CULINARY CLASSROOM FOR PARTICIPATING STUDENTS AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE AWARENESS FOR PARENTS, PRINCIPALS AND POLITICIANS.

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 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 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 May 2023.

    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.