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Little Red Hen Nursery Inc

EIN 94-3380673 · Chico, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HELPING CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, SUCH AS AUTISM, CEREBRAL PALSY, DOWN SYNDROME, AND OTHER COGNITIVE DISABILITIES, INCREASE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES THROUGH SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT, COMMUNITY SKILLS, TRAINING, AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT BUTTE COUNTY.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
245
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$142,182, president/ executive direc

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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 14 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 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 (3)
  1. $838,993 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES THE LIFESPAN PROGRAM TO PROMOTE LIFELONG ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES, INCLUDING AUTISM. THE LIFESPAN CENTER INCLUDES CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS SUCH AS LIL' SPROUTS AND GROWING TOGETHER TEENS. THE LIFESPAN RESOURCE PROGRAM CONNECTS FAMILIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, INCLUDING EDUCATION, RECREATION, HEALTH, AND MOVE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
  2. $312,715 spent. THE PLANT NURSERY PROGRAM IS A PLACE WHERE TENDING TO PLANTS HELPS THOSE WITH AUTISM, CEREBRAL PALSY, EPILEPSY, DOWN SYNDROME, AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL AND NEUROLOGICAL DISABILITIES GAIN SOCIAL AND WORK SKILLS. THE NURSERY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND SELLS PLANTS AND OTHER GARDENING ITEMS.
  3. $1.8 million spent. KIDS AND KITCHEN, HOME, FLORAL & MORE AND VINTAGE PROGRAMS ARE COMPLETE STORES OFFERING PREMIER COOKWARE, SUPPLIES, AND FLORAL DESIGNS TO THE PUBLIC. IT PROVIDES THOSE WITH DISABILITIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING SETTING UP DISPLAYS, PRICING ITEMS, GREETING CUSTOMERS, SELLING ITEMS, TAKING INVENTORY, PREPARING ACCOUNTING AND COMPUTER WORK, AND MORE. IT ALLOWS THOSE WITH DISABILITIES TO GAIN SOCIAL AND WORK SKILLS AS PAID EMPLOYEES.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.