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Denver Urban Gardens

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 742374848 ✦ Denver, CO ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Denver Urban Gardens?

Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) is a nonprofit organization based in Denver, Colorado, with a location at 1031 33rd Street. DUG supports 200 community gardens and 20 food forests in seven Metro Denver counties, benefiting 18,004 gardeners and affecting over 40,000 Coloradans. Their mission is to provide individuals with the means to grow healthy food in community settings and regenerate urban green spaces. DUG ensures the gardens are well-built and adaptable to their specific environment, ranging from schools and parks to senior communities and low-income housing. They maintain both the physical and human infrastructure, providing training, fiscal sponsorship, and serving as a liaison between gardeners and landowners. In 2022, the Food Forest Initiative was launched with the aim of planting food forests in small, underutilized public spaces and community gardens. DUG currently employs 21 individuals.


Official website here: www.dug.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating 97%

Denver Urban Gardens has earned a Four-Star out of Four Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong performance in various operational areas. This high rating is largely due to its exceptional Accountability & Finance score of 97. The organization demonstrates a solid financial structure, with a low liabilities-to-assets ratio and effective use of funds, evidenced by a program expense ratio of over 70%. It also maintains an independent board and a well-established audit and oversight committee.

In addition to financial excellence, Denver Urban Gardens excels in leadership and community engagement, with a perfect score in Leadership & Adaptability. The organization has invested in leadership development and shows adaptability in its operations, indicating a robust framework for growth and responsiveness to community needs. Constituent feedback mechanisms are well-established, ensuring that community voices are heard and integrated into organizational practices.

Despite its strengths, the organization's scores in Leadership & Adaptability and Culture & Community are lower compared to its financial metrics, suggesting potential areas for growth. However, overall, Denver Urban Gardens showcases a commitment to transparency, effective governance, and community involvement, positioning it as a trustworthy nonprofit in the sector.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

Is Denver Urban Gardens legitimate?

Denver Urban Gardens is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Denver Urban Gardens submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $130,071
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $664,537

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.dug.org

What is the mission statement of Denver Urban Gardens?

Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) strives to provide urban communities with the means to grow healthy food and regenerate green spaces. Over the past three decades, DUG has established a network of community gardens across six counties, improving food access and educating various age groups. Their vision is for a city teeming with green spaces and a food system that is equitable for all, offering universal access to fresh, healthy food and knowledge to cultivate one's own produce. DUG supports around 200 community gardens and 20 food forests, impacting over 40,000 Coloradans. They ensure the gardens' sustainability by maintaining their infrastructure and fostering strong community ties through training, fiscal sponsorship, and acting as a liaison between gardeners and landowners. In 2022, the Food Forest Initiative was launched with the goal of planting accessible food forests in public spaces and community gardens.


Official website here: www.dug.org

Who is the CEO of Denver Urban Gardens?

Melissa Rosas is the Secretary of Denver Urban Gardens.


Official website here: www.dug.org

What is the revenue of Denver Urban Gardens?

Denver Urban Gardens's revenue in 2022 was $3,499,144.


Official website here: www.dug.org

Who are the executives of Denver Urban Gardens and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Denver Urban Gardens during 2022 was $37,838. There are 21 employees and 5000 volunteers at Denver Urban Gardens.


Here are 11 key members and their salaries:


Karen Good (Preident)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Zane Way (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Melissa Rosas (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Melinda Warner (Vice-President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Brooke Gabbert (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Le'Alani Boykin (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Tim Craft (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Andrew Feldman (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jesse Ogas (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Chris Shaffner (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Linda Appel Lipsius (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $130,071
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.dug.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Denver Urban Gardens?

Denver Urban Gardens's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.dug.org

Learn more at the official website: www.dug.org

Mission Statement of Denver Urban Gardens

Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) is a mission-driven organization that aims to empower individuals to cultivate healthy food in their communities and revitalize urban green spaces. Over the past 36 years, DUG has established a network of 190 community gardens across six counties in metro Denver, thereby enhancing food access and educating people of all ages.

The organization's vision encompasses a city teeming with accessible green spaces and a just and equitable food system, where everyone has universal access to fresh, healthy food and the knowledge to grow their own. DUG supports over 200 community gardens and 20 food forests, catering to diverse locations such as schools, parks, neighborhoods, senior communities, and low-income housing, impacting over 40,000 Coloradans.

DUG ensures that the gardens are designed to thrive in their unique environments and facilitates the maintenance of both the physical infrastructure and the human infrastructure. This results in well-functioning garden communities through training, fiscal sponsorship, and acting as the intermediary between gardeners and landowners. In 2022, DUG launched the Food Forest Initiative, with the goal of planting food forests in underutilized public spaces and community gardens across the metro area. The estimated pounds of food grown by DUG's gardens total over 627,926.

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Impact




June, 2024

Denver Urban Gardens provides access, skills, and resources for people to grow healthy food in community and regenerate urban green spaces. With 200 community gardens and 20 food forests across seven Metro Denver counties, DUG impacts over 40,000 Coloradans and serves 18,004 gardeners. These initiatives not only result in the production of 627,926 pounds of food but also contribute to the creation of well-functioning communities. Additionally, DUG's programs ensure that gardens are well-built and responsive to their specific environments, whether in schools, parks, neighborhoods, senior communities, or low-income housing. Through training, fiscal sponsorship, and acting as an intermediary between gardeners and landowners, DUG fosters sustainable and thriving urban spaces for all.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Denver Urban Gardens. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$3,499,144 (2022)
Expenses
$2,792,225 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $5,587
  • Program Service Revenue: $770,201
  • Gross Receipts: $3,499,144

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $2,157,961
  • Total Liabilities: $214,964
  • Net Assets: $1,942,997

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

Garden Programs

Revenue

$770,201

Organization Details

Founding Year

1985

Principal Officer

Melissa Rosas

Main Address

1031 33rd Street 100, Denver, CO, 80205

NTEE Category

Code: C500 - Environment

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