Rice Street Gardens
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
.The mission of the Rice Street Gardens is operate and maintain a community garden for residents of the area. The garden provides 260 individual plots for gardeners who plant a variety of vegetables and flowers. Water, and sanitary, compost, tools, trash removal and temporary Biffy are provided for use by the gardeners. Picnic tables are also provided.
- Income
- $131,932
- Spending
- $27,702
- Spent on programs
- 60%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10
Source: Form 990 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 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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)
- First Program Accomplishment. The Rice Street Gardens board Informed the community that Rice Street Gardens will operate in Gardeners were asked if they would return in 2025 and to register if they were returning. In addition orientation sessions were held to review garden guidelines and ask questions Expenses were not recorded because volunteers and board members staffed the meeting
- $13,323 spent. Accomplishment Two The second accomplishment was the opening the garden on schedule and operating through the Summer. The garden plots were identified for each gardener, tools were available to start preparing for plant. Water, trash removal, portable sanitation (Biffy) and compost were provided for the gardeners. No revenue is generated by the garden because gardeners grow food for their own use.
- $3,206 spent. The third accomplishment is the closing of the garden and preparing for the Winter. Among the tasks are shutting of the water, draining the water lines and storing the hoses. Additional tasks are having the gardeners clean their plots, and general clean-up. Tools are stored for the winter. During this time gardeners and board members have a meal featuring dishes from the gardeners.
Source: Form 990 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 November 6, 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 January 2023.
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 November 4, 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.