What is CGCI?

"CGCI" stands for "California Garden Clubs, Inc."   CGCI is the largest nonprofit, volunteer gardening organization in the state of California. An affiliation of over 350 garden clubs and plant societies throughout the state, CGCI represents more than 21,000 members.

CGCI has been "growing strong" for more than seventy-five years. Click here to learn a little of its history through the list of its past presidents..

CGCI is devoted to the development of all phases of gardening, the betterment and beautification of the community and the protection and conservation of our natural resources. The objectives are set forth in the bylaws. CGCI is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC). Click here to see the organizational chart including all levels from club to the national (NGC) level.

CGCI  members spend millions of hours learning about gardening and serving their communities each year. Garden club members work together to make our world a better place. How?

Mission Statement:
California Garden Clubs, Inc. promotes gardening, floral design, civic beautification, environmental responsibility and the exchange of information and ideas.

 Environmentally
CGCI promotes conservation of natural resources and environmental awareness. CGCI members have planted millions of trees, protected hundreds of acres and spread wildflower seeds along miles of highway and open space

Educationally
CGCI and member clubs annually award college scholarships throughout the state. The clubs sponsor courses in horticulture, environmental education, safe & efficient gardening, flower arranging, flower show judge certification and landscaping design

 Individually
CGCI members have fun learning together, sharing ideas & experiences and building friendships that last a lifetime. Their lives are richer for the benefit of membership in such a caring and worthy organization.

Culturally

The collective energy and force of the large of membership of CGCI enables the members to lend significant support to many projects throughout the state. In almost every community in California, CGCI members reach out to our neighborhoods by supporting public gardens, parks and playgrounds, directing and commending civic beautification projects; establishing and maintaining veteran memorials and Blue Star markers, sponsoring outreach programs for youth, the aged and garden therapy patients; encouraging civic development, and community service.

 Golden Gardens

Golden Gardens, the official publication of CGCI, is a magazine which is published four times per year. It offers interesting articles, covers statewide activities and includes information from the National (NGC) and Regional (Pacific Region) organizations. Members are invited to contribute by sending club and district news, dates of club events for the Calendar and feature articles of interest to garden clubs to the editor. Subscription is $5.00 per subscription for 100% Golden Garden clubs and $6.00 for all other subscriptions.

CGCI is a member of....

TAX EXEMPT STATUS
CGCI operates as an exempt organization under Sec. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (RC 1986) and listed in the Cumulative List of Exempt Organizations, Publication 78, which can be found on the IRS website at www.irs.gov. CGCI is listed in the State of California Registry of Charitable Organizations as a charitable trust, with the identification number CT­16129. Reference for this exemption is the California Revenue and Taxation Code. Sec. 23701d or Sec. 23701f.

A group exemption is allowed to qualified member clubs to be afforded full, nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax status with the IRS under the status granted to CGCI. To qualify for inclusion in this group exemption, member clubs must agree to follow the guidelines required by the IRS and successfully complete the application process administered under the supervision of the CGCI Financial Consultant. Group Exemption status is renewable each year thereafter.

All donations to CGCI and the clubs under its Letter of Group Exemption (Group # 5358) are deductible to the full extent allowed under US tax laws.

A list of member clubs belonging to the 501(c)(3) Group Exemption can be found by clicking here.