Growing Gardens
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
GROWING GARDENS USES THE EXPERIENCE OF GROWING FOOD IN SCHOOLS, BACKYARDS AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES TO CULTIVATE HEALTHY, EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 5.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 63%
- Employees
- 49
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $109,888, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 34% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 2024, 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 (4)
- $866,241 spent. YOUTH GROW: THIS PROGRAM EMPOWERS PRE-K-12 STUDENTS TO EXPLORE NATURE, CULTURE, AND FOOD THROUGH HANDS-ON STEM-ALIGNED CLASSES, AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS FOCUSED ON FOOD JUSTICE AND HEALTHY COOKING, AND A HIGH SCHOOL INTERNSHIP IN GARDENING, FOOD SYSTEMS, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. SINCE 2006, WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH OVER 20 SCHOOLS TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT GARDEN EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.
- $728,842 spent. HOME GARDENS: SINCE GROWING GARDENS INCEPTION IN 1996, THIS PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED NEARLY 2,000 FAMILIES TO START HOME GARDENS, SUPPORTING FRESH FOOD ACCESS FOR OVER 1,000 ADULTS AND CHILDREN ANNUALLY. WE PARTNER WITH INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, HOSPITALS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS TO BUILD BACKYARD ORGANIC GARDENS AND PROVIDE THREE YEARS OF FREE GARDENING MENTORSHIP, INCLUDING WORKSHOPS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, AND SUPPORT IN BUILDING COMMUNITY-BASED LEADERSHIP.
- $248,396 spent. LETTUCE GROW: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL CLASSES AND GARDENING EXPERIENCES TO ADULTS AND JUVENILES WHO ARE INCARCERATED ACROSS THE STATE OF OREGON. THROUGH HANDS-ON PRODUCTION IN PRISON GARDENS AND CLASSES THAT PROVIDE HORTICULTURAL CREDENTIALS, AND POST-RELEASE JOB CONNECTIONS, WE PROVIDE INCARCERATED ADULTS AND YOUTH WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN AGRICULTURAL, HORTICULTURAL, AND FOOD SERVICE FIELDS. CURRENTLY WE ARE PROVIDING CLASSES AND SERVICES TO INMATES IN 13 ADULT FACILITIES AND 1 JUVENILE FACILITY IN OREGON. ON AN AVERAGE YEAR WE HELP TO GROW OVER 300,000 POUNDS OF FOOD ON 23 ACRES.
- $98,572 spent. SPECIAL PROJECTS
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.
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 1997.
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.