Quick charity verification for Garden Academy (EIN: 200462154)
Verdict: Garden Academy appears trustworthy
88/100Mission Score
$4.6MRevenue
$3.2MAssets
2Red Flags
4Strengths
Red Flags
Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data prevents precise efficiency analysis.
Consistent 0% officer compensation for an organization of this size is highly unusual and may indicate compensation is reported under other categories, potentially obscuring true executive costs.
Strengths
Consistent operational surpluses, with revenue generally exceeding expenses (e.g., $4,577,718 revenue vs. $4,562,067 expenses in 2023).
Steady growth in assets, from $2,324,323 in 2014 to $3,089,721 in 2023, indicating financial stability.
Remarkable consistency in reporting 0% officer compensation across all filings, suggesting a strong commitment to directing funds to mission or a unique compensation structure.
Long and consistent IRS 990 filing history (13 filings), demonstrating transparency and compliance.
Spending Breakdown
How Garden Academy allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.
How to Interpret This Report
What Red Flags Mean
Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.
What Mission Score Measures
The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.
Using This Data for Donation Decisions
Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Garden Academy
Is Garden Academy a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Garden Academy (EIN: 200462154) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 88/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
Is Garden Academy a good charity to donate to?
Garden Academy has a Mission Score of 88/100. Revenue: $4.6M. Assets: $3.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Garden Academy?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Garden Academy is 200462154. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.
What is a Mission Score?
The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.
How does Garden Academy spend its money?
Garden Academy allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Garden Academy's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Garden Academy's tax-exempt status using EIN 200462154 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.
AI Transparency Report
Garden Academy demonstrates consistent financial stability with revenues generally exceeding expenses over the past decade. In the latest filing (202306), the organization reported revenue of $4,577,718 against expenses of $4,562,067, indicating a slight surplus. Their asset base has grown steadily, reaching $3,089,721 in 2023, which provides a solid foundation for operations. The organization's transparency is commendable, particularly given the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, suggesting that executive leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not categorized as 'officer compensation' on the 990, which warrants further investigation for complete clarity.
Spending efficiency appears strong, with expenses closely tracking revenue, indicating that funds are being actively deployed towards their mission rather than accumulating excessive reserves. The consistent operational surpluses, though modest, contribute to a healthy financial outlook. The absence of reported officer compensation is a significant positive indicator for donor confidence, as it suggests a high proportion of funds are directed to programs and operational needs rather than executive salaries. However, without a detailed functional expense breakdown (program, administrative, fundraising), a precise assessment of spending efficiency is limited.
Overall, Garden Academy appears to be a well-managed organization with a stable financial trajectory. Their consistent filing history and the absence of reported officer compensation are strong indicators of good governance and a focus on mission. Further transparency regarding the functional allocation of expenses would enhance their financial health assessment.