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Golden State Bonsai Federation

EIN 95-3447952 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GSBF WAS FORMED TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ART OF BONSAI.

Income
$389,750
Spending
$358,694
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
19.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
0

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

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.1 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 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 72 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • 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 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. $230,402 spent. BONSAI GARDEN PROGRAM: OPERATE AND FUND 3 BONSAI GARDEN: (1) BONSAI GARDEN AT LAKE MERRITT, OAKLAND, CA (2) HUNTINGTON GARDEN, SAN MARINO, CA (3) CLARK BONSAI COLLECTION, FRESNO, CA. ALL GARDENS OFFER VISITORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE THE BEST BONSAI SPECIMENS ON THE WEST COAST. ALL GARDENS MAINTAIN REGULAR HOURS TO THE PUBLIC AND ARE STAFFED BY VOLUNTEER DOCENTS AVAILABLE TO EDUCATE AND ANSWER INQUIRES. GSBF CONTRIBUTES MOST OF THE PROFITS FROM HUNTINGTON COLLECTION TO THE HUNTINGTON ENDOWMENT FUND TO HELP FUND THE GARDEN SUPPORT. THE LAKE MERRITT COLLECTION IS LOCATED ON PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF OAKLAND AND IS SUPPORTED BY MORE THAN 90 VOLUNTEERS. SIMILARLY, CLARK BONSAI COLLECTION IS LOCATED ON PROPERTY OWNED BY THE CITY OF FRESNO AND IS SUPPORTED BY MORE THAN 50 VOLUNTEERS. TO SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN THE THREE GSBF GARDENS, BAZAAR WEEKENDS ARE HELD ANNUALLY. FUNDS ARE GIVEN BACK TO CLUBS TO HELP WITH DEMONSTRATIONS, SPEAKERS, PROJECTS & EDUCATION.
  2. $51,734 spent. VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS: GSBF SUPPORTS THE 3 BONSAI GARDENS BY PROVIDING PROPERTY AND LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR THE GARDENS. GSBF OFFERS THE MEMBER BONSAI CLUBS AND GROUPS TO OBTAIN DISCOUNTED LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR CLUB ACTIVITIES IF DESIRED. IN ADDITION, GSBF SPONSORS QUARTERLY EDUCATIONAL ZOOM PRESENTATIONS CALLED GOLDEN ZOOM, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EDUCATION TO MEMBERS OF GSBF CLUBS.
  3. $285 spent. VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS: GSBF HOSTS AN BI-ANNUAL CONVENTION BONSAI RENDEZVOUS FOR APPROXIMATELY 425 BONSAI ENTHUSIASTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. DEMONSTRATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS BY AMERICAN BONSAI MASTERS AND PROFESSIONALS ARE FEATURED. THE CONVENTIONS INCLUDE TRAINING AND EDUCATION IN TECHNIQUES AND RELATED MATERIALS. BONSAI BASICS ARE TAUGHT TO NEW ENTHUSIASTS.

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 2024.

    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 1983.

    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.