Ground Education

“We do not have committes authorized to act on behalf of the board.”

“The 990 is reviewed by the co-executive directors and the treasurer and will then be distributed to the board for their review.”

“The organization requires all board members and key employees to review and re-sign the conflict of interest policy annually.”

“The board reviewed/approved executive director salaries and we commissioned an independent compensation review.”

“No other documets available to the public.”

“The primary activity of the organization consists of providing a garden curriculum of grade-level appropriate outdoor garden, science and sustainability educational curriculum to k-5 students. The cirriculum supports and enhances california content standards in language arts, science, history, social studies, and visual arts. The activity consists of curriculum preparation, organizing required supplies, on-site instruction, and post-instruction evaluations. The activity is conducted by ground education's staff and volunteer interns. The activity is conducted during school hours during the school year, and is also offered as a supplmental summer program. The program occurs at the campus locations of the client schools in los angeles county, primarily in the city of long beach. The activity furthers the exempt purpose of advancing education by providing k-5 children with hands-on outdoor garden curriculum that enhances the students' in-class experiences. It also furthers the exempt purpose of providing charitable relief to the underprivileged because it is offered at no cost to the students. As this is the primary program of the organization, 90% of total time is allocated to this activity. The activity is funded 60% from fee-for-service from the school district and/or ptas of the schools where the activities are performed, and 40% from individual donations.”

“At ground education, our mission is to partner with long beach public schools to provide year-round garden, health, and environmental awareness experiences for every student during the school day. We value directly engaging youth in order to grow the capacity for wonder, cultivate the space to think, explore and connect, and nurture robust decision-making all in the context of the natural world lessons to 13,000 elementary students in the long beach unified school district during the 2023-2024 school year. That is a 37% increase in students serverd compared to the 2022-2023 school year. We now have a learning garden and outdoor education program established in 48% of our local elementary schools. We also mentored 7 interns from csulb, planted and maintained 25 garden sites, and seven members to our staff. In our end-of-school survey, 99% of teachers report that students increased their overall excitment for school/learning through participating in ground education. While we believe every student should spend time learning outdoors, the focus of our expansion has been schools that serve low income families in underserved long beach neighborhoods. Learn more at www.groundeducation.org.”

“Treasurer and co-executive director reviews the return before it is issued.”