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California Garden Clubs Inc

EIN 94-6083114 · San Fernando, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 50% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

To create, promote and further interest in horticulture, gardening, floral and landscape design, plant and bird life, and appreciation of the natural beauties of the State of California. To encourage civic beautification and roadside development. To assist in projects for the conservation of our natural resources. To coordinate and centralize the work of the various California garden clubs and bring them into a closer relation of mutual helpfulness. To cooperate with other agencies in furthering interests in educational areas.

Income
$161,344
Spending
$123,422
Spent on programs
50%
Reserves
42.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
0
Volunteers
18,600
Highest pay
$4,200, treasurer

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 42.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    50% 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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    94 of 94 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • 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. $41,311 spent. The Organization maintains a master liability insurance option program for qualifying member clubs and associate plant societies. The insurance provides liability protection for the insured groups, and those who volunteer on their behalf, for certain qualifying activities such as flower shows and plant sales, meetings and workshops with attendances of 500 or less.
  2. $16,982 spent. The Organization provides scholarships and awards to create, promote and further interest in horticulture, gardening, floral and landscape design, plant and bird life, and appreciation of the natural beauties of the State of California. Six scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 to college students planning careers in fields related to the activities and objectives of the Organization. The Organization provides many annual recognition awards to garden clubs and their members consisting of certificates, pins and cash amounts of $10 to $150. In addition, the Organization provides service certificates to clubs and members to honor their years of service, and certificates of commendation to garden centers, nurseries and garden-related businesses to commend them for their outstanding contributions to, and support of, the mission and objectives of the Organization's clubs.
  3. $2,906 spent. The Organization encourages civic beautification and roadside development and assists in the conservation of natural resources through gardening projects in the State of California. The Organization provides garden tours, educational gardening ciriculums and information, and an electronic newsletter, E-News, to enhance horticultural appreciation and knowledge.The Organization's officers organize and attend national and regional meetings, conferences, symposiums and flower shows to enhance horticultural appreciation and knowledge in California. The Organization has approximately 18,600 members in approximately 231 garden clubs, 49 associate plant societies, and 1 affiliate.

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 November 6, 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 October 1969.

    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 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.