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Nonprofiteer
← DESCANSO GARDENS FOUNDATION

Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by DESCANSO GARDENS FOUNDATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$17,208,622
Total expenses
$17,843,245
Contributions and grants received
$5,276,564
Grants paid
$10,700
Program service revenue
$9,833,743
Investment income
$179,259
Other revenue
$1,919,056
Total assets, end of year
$27,307,341
Total liabilities, end of year
$8,665,640
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$18,641,701
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$15,162,955
Management and general expenses
$1,745,410
Fundraising expenses
$934,880
Program service expenses (Part III)
$15,162,955

Program services were 85.0% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $3,181,700

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $92,639

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $1,679,368

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $322,857

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $18,350

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ADMISSIONS

    total $9,147,686 · related or exempt $9,147,686

  • 2b · Program service revenue: SODEXO AMORTIZATION

    total $300,000 · related or exempt $300,000

  • 2c · Program service revenue: GARDEN MANAGEMENT FEE

    total $270,000 · related or exempt $270,000

  • 2d · Program service revenue: SUMMER PROGRAM

    total $15,645 · related or exempt $15,645

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $100,412 · related or exempt $100,412

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $179,259 · excluded $179,259

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $485,400

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $161,123

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $324,277

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $324,277 · excluded $324,277

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $3,234,835

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $3,234,835

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $0

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $149,820

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $92,639

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $124,136

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $25,684 · excluded $25,684

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $2,473,857

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $1,180,508

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $1,293,349 · related or exempt $1,293,349

  • 11a · Other revenue: INSURANCE PROCEEDS

    total $262,839 · excluded $262,839

  • 11b · Other revenue: OTHER REVENUE

    total $12,907 · excluded $12,907

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $275,746

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $10,700 · program services $10,700

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $641,000 · program services $128,200 · management and general $192,300 · fundraising $320,500

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $4,465,245 · program services $3,492,308 · management and general $691,909 · fundraising $281,028

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $104,638 · program services $74,192 · management and general $18,119 · fundraising $12,327

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $441,153 · program services $312,793 · management and general $76,391 · fundraising $51,969

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $338,492 · program services $240,003 · management and general $58,614 · fundraising $39,875

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $50,743 · management and general $50,743

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $60,000 · fundraising $60,000

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $21,334 · management and general $21,334

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $6,561,003 · program services $6,137,899 · management and general $346,120 · fundraising $76,984

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $197,770 · program services $197,770

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $459,512 · program services $415,441 · management and general $37,592 · fundraising $6,479

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,299,160 · program services $1,262,171 · management and general $27,816 · fundraising $9,173

  • 17 · Travel

    total $18,716 · program services $10,563 · management and general $3,759 · fundraising $4,394

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $66,210 · program services $15,512 · management and general $28,445 · fundraising $22,253

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,603,564 · program services $1,519,308 · management and general $81,877 · fundraising $2,379

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $481,858 · program services $456,540 · management and general $24,603 · fundraising $715

  • 24a · Other expenses: BANK & CREDIT CARD FEES

    total $443,968 · program services $443,968

  • 24b · Other expenses: LOSS - FIRE & DAMAGE

    total $223,618 · program services $223,618

  • 24c · Other expenses: DUES, SUBSCRIPTIONS AND

    total $178,562 · program services $62,296 · management and general $82,178 · fundraising $34,088

  • 24d · Other expenses: FEES & HONORARIUMS

    total $159,673 · program services $159,673

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $16,326 · management and general $3,610 · fundraising $12,716

  • 26 · Joint costs (an allocation of the lines above)

    total $44,986 · program services $30,928 · management and general $8,435 · fundraising $5,623

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $7,275,372 · end of year $6,058,003

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $998,120 · end of year $1,046,366

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $156,858 · end of year $52,239

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $369,665 · end of year $361,413

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $82,231 · end of year $88,726

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $26,604,174

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $10,012,909

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $12,319,750 · end of year $16,591,265

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $5,444,371 · end of year $3,098,006

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $6,300 · end of year $11,323

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $2,564,723 · end of year $2,048,879

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $5,069,367 · end of year $6,616,761

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $17,947,228 · end of year $17,546,316

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,071,349 · end of year $1,095,385

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

TO PRACTICE EXEMPLARY STEWARDSHIP OF THE GARDENS, OFFERING PEOPLE AN EXPERIENCE CLOSE TO NATURE AND CULTIVATING UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURAL WORLD AND PEOPLE'S PLACE IN IT THROUGH INSPIRATION, EDUCATION, AND EXAMPLE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

AT DESCANSO GARDENS WE CONNECT PEOPLE TO NATURE AND ONE ANOTHER.

  • STEWARDSHIP OF A HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT SITE; PUBLIC HORTICULTURE AND COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT; EXPERIENTIAL NATURE-BASED PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; OPPORTUNITY FOR VOLUNTEERISM; ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND PRESERVATION; AND LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE TOWARD MORE SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT AND WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES. IN 2025, DESCANSO GARDENS WELCOMED NEARLY 1,013,000 VISITORS TO THE GARDENS. DESCANSO IS A MEMBER-SUPPORTED GARDEN: IN 2025, AROUND 31,870 HOUSEHOLDS SUPPORTED DESCANSO'S MISSION THROUGH PAID ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS. DESCANSO GARDENS IS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS.

    Expenses $15,162,955 · Grants $10,700 · Revenue $11,127,092

As filed on the 2025 return.

Listed in Part VII

  • Juliann Rooke

    (EX OFFICIO) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $361,645
    From this org
    $310,325
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $51,320
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $310,325
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,577
    Nontaxable benefits
    $37,743
    Filer's total
    $361,645

  • Brad Schwartz

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • Sandra Mays

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Marie Queen

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lovell Holder

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Milene Apanian

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ara Aslanian

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dr Dimple Bhasin

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Diane Binney

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • William Choi

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Darcy Coleman

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Paige Farmer

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Laura Furey

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Blythe Haaga Parker

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jane Haderlein

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Christy Hobart

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Wendy Lees

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • James Levin

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ian McCarthy

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ann Murphy

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Laura Olhasso

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Patsy Pinney

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Linda Segal

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Hope Tschopik Schneider

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Scott Sugino

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Karl Swaidan

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jacob Tujian

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Clarissa Weirick

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Emi Yoshimura - Chief

    OPERATIONS AND ADMIN OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $180,799
    From this org
    $150,648
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,151
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $150,648
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,692
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,459
    Filer's total
    $180,799

  • Somer Sherwood-White

    CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $197,474
    From this org
    $180,064
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,410
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $180,064
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,365
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,045
    Filer's total
    $197,474

  • Marina Erlfe - Director

    OF EDUCATION AND EXHIBITIONS

    Total calculated
    $117,150
    From this org
    $106,577
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,573
    Hours/week
    40

  • Jennifer Errico

    DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

    Total calculated
    $107,720
    From this org
    $103,491
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,229
    Hours/week
    40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2025
Filed
1 June 2026
IRS schema version
2025v4.1
Source object
202621619349301417

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