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American Rhododendron Society

EIN 93-6032883 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PROMOTION OF GENUS RHODODENDRON.

Income
$900,203
Spending
$845,336
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
75.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$6,383, director crystal springs

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 75.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

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

  • 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. $842,114 spent. ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION OF GENUS RHODODENDRON. PROMOTING CRYSTAL SPRINGS RHODODENDRON GARDEN AND SMITH GARDEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING. SUPPORT NATIONAL RHODODENDRON RESEARCH AND RHODODENDRON SPECIES, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN ADVANCING AND PROMOTING THE GENUS RHODODENRON. MAINTAIN GATEHOUSE AT CRYSTAL SPRINGS GARDEN FOR PUBLIC USE. CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE GARDENS AND CONSTRUCT NEW PATHWAYS TO ALLOW PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES TO ACCESS PUBLIC RHODODENDRON GARDENS.
  2. SPECIAL ADMISSION EVENTS FOR WEDDINGS, RECEPTIONS, AND GATHERINGS FOR WHICH A PORTION OF CRYSTAL SPRINGS GARDEN IS SEGREGATED FOR THE OCCASION.
  3. SPONSOR MOTHER'S DAY AND OTHER SHOW EVENTS AT CRYSTAL SPRINGS GARDEN IN PORTLAND, OREGON TO PROMOTE INTEREST IN THE GARDEN AND RHODODENDRON PLANTS.

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 September 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 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.