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← BOTANICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS INC

Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by BOTANICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$20,491,336
Total expenses
$24,482,486
Contributions and grants received
$10,570,547
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$2,551,116
Investment income
$295,814
Other revenue
$7,073,859
Total assets, end of year
$17,358,500
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,144,352
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$15,214,148
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$21,082,030
Management and general expenses
$2,336,816
Fundraising expenses
$1,063,640
Program service expenses (Part III)
$21,082,030

Program services were 86.1% 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

    $904,249

  • 1d · Related organizations

    $3,116,506

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $6,549,792

  • 2a · Program service revenue: FIELD SCHOOL AND CAMP FEE

    total $169,783 · related or exempt $169,783

  • 2b · Program service revenue: PROGRAM AND EXHIBIT FEES

    total $2,229,581 · related or exempt $2,229,581

  • 2c · Program service revenue: PUBLICATION FEES

    total $151,752 · related or exempt $151,752

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $292,763 · excluded $292,763

  • 4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds

    total $0

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $986,762

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $60,000

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $926,762

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $926,762 · excluded $926,762

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $3,051

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $3,051

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $3,051 · excluded $3,051

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $0

  • 9c · Net income from gaming

    total $0

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $1,705,592

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $460,288

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $1,245,304 · related or exempt $1,168,603 · unrelated business $76,701

  • 11a · Other revenue: Management Fee

    total $4,138,636 · related or exempt $4,138,636

  • 11b · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS INCOME

    total $763,157 · related or exempt $763,157

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $4,901,793

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $0

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $0

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $0

  • 4 · Benefits paid to or for members

    total $0

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,144,881 · program services $895,183 · management and general $163,004 · fundraising $86,694

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $0

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $6,645,537 · program services $5,196,147 · management and general $946,170 · fundraising $503,220

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $168,991 · program services $132,134 · management and general $24,061 · fundraising $12,796

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $991,505 · program services $775,258 · management and general $141,167 · fundraising $75,080

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $541,607 · program services $423,483 · management and general $77,112 · fundraising $41,012

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $0

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $0

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $0

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $0

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $0

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $0

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,326,077 · program services $1,007,060 · management and general $179,460 · fundraising $139,557

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $106,351 · program services $38,285 · fundraising $68,066

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $0

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $408,728 · program services $62,410 · management and general $319,079 · fundraising $27,239

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $96,698 · program services $95,828 · management and general $870

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $439,840 · program services $402,661 · management and general $35,475 · fundraising $1,704

  • 17 · Travel

    total $348,990 · program services $263,205 · management and general $64,411 · fundraising $21,374

  • 18 · Travel or entertainment for public officials

    total $0

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $0

  • 20 · Interest

    total $0

  • 21 · Payments to affiliates

    total $0

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $329,673 · program services $295,677 · management and general $27,734 · fundraising $6,262

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $186,165 · management and general $186,165

  • 24a · Other expenses: AGRICULTURE & Landscaping

    total $10,106,123 · program services $10,106,123

  • 24b · Other expenses: REPAIRS & mAINTENANCE

    total $503,956 · program services $479,694 · management and general $24,262

  • 24c · Other expenses: LICENSES AND FEES

    total $400,993 · program services $304,107 · management and general $84,805 · fundraising $12,081

  • 24d · Other expenses: SUPPLIES

    total $357,067 · program services $329,489 · management and general $17,984 · fundraising $9,594

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $379,304 · program services $275,286 · management and general $45,057 · fundraising $58,961

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $3,422,134 · end of year $6,019,500

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    end of year $2,303,457

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $5,515,354 · end of year $3,017,454

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $2,029,923 · end of year $1,543,931

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    end of year $0

  • 6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

    end of year $0

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    end of year $0

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $101,431 · end of year $77,494

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $404,640 · end of year $603,171

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

    $5,223,557

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

    $3,371,592

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,127,186 · end of year $1,851,965

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $9,189,273 · end of year $1,814,744

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    end of year $0

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    end of year $0

  • 14 · Intangible assets

    end of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $24,808 · end of year $126,784

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $2,805,327 · end of year $1,704,616

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $219,994 · end of year $312,594

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    end of year $127,142

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $3,798,690 · end of year $6,706,191

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $14,990,738 · end of year $8,507,957

Mission and programs · 2025

Mission

EXPLORE, DISCOVER, ENGAGE: WE EXPLORE THE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT WORLD OF PLANTS, COLLABORATE TO DISCOVER THE ROLE THEY PLAY IN OUR CULTURAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS, AND ENGAGE PEOPLE TO CONSERVE NATURE AND IMPROVE THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE.

  • GARDEN. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2020, THE BOTANICAL INSTITUTE OF TEXAS (BRIT) ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF FORT WORTH TO MANAGE THE FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN (FWBG). FWBG IS A 110-ACRE BOTANIC GARDEN ADJACENT TO BRIT IN THE CULTURAL DISTRICT OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS. THE GARDEN IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND CONTAINS VARIOUS HORTICULTURAL DISPLAYS INCLUDING A JAPANESE GARDEN AND A ROSE GARDEN. IN ADDITION TO INDIVIDUAL VISITATION, THE GARDEN IS ALSO USED FOR MANY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS.

    Expenses $17,197,327 · Revenue $2,229,581

  • RESEARCH. BRIT'S RESEARCH PROGRAM IS THE FOUNDATIONAL ACTIVITY UPON WHICH THE INSTITUTE ACHIEVES ITS MISSION. BRIT ACTS AS A CATALYST WITHIN THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS GLOBALLY CHALLENGING PROBLEMS BY USING VARIOUS BOTANICAL LENSES (TAXONOMY, ECOLOGICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL, AND GENOMICS). RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY BRITMAKES THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, SOMETIMES DIRECTLY THROUGH IMPROVEMENTS TO LIFE AND SOMETIMES INDIRECTLY THROUGH INCREASING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD WHICH ALLOWS US TO BECOME MORE RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS OF THE PLANET.

    Expenses $1,348,356

  • EDUCATION. BRIT DEVELOPS AND PRESENTS NUMEROUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS COVERING VARIOUS TOPICS IN BOTANY, ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION. PROGRAMS ARE PRESENTED TO VARIOUS GROUPS INCLUDING EDUCATORS, STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC. THE BRIT SEED (SCIENCE-BASED EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION DESIGN) SCHOOL FOR EDUCATORS INSPIRES AND SUPPORTS EDUCATORS IN CONNECTING CHILDREN TO NATURE THROUGH THE USE OF OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS, NATURE ANDURBAN ENVIRONMENTS. BRIT PROVIDES CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT COMBINE RESEARCH-BASED BEST PRACTICES WITH HANDS-ON, REAL WORLD LEARNING THROUGH OUTDOOR INQUIRY, PLACE-BASED EDUCATION AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING.

    Expenses $1,222,021 · Revenue $169,783

  • COLLECTIONS. The cornerstone of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas is its Herbarium and botanical library. BRIT's herbarium, a collection of more than one million dried plant specimens representing much of Earth's plant diversity, is among the largest in the United States. BRIT's collections-based research provides information for conservation purposes and is a resource for research scientists, students, teachers, plant enthusiasts, gardeners, hospitals, and many others. BRIT's plant collections and educational programs are open to the public to help fulfill our mission to achieve public understanding of the value that plants bring to life.

    Expenses $872,530

  • PRESS. In addition to the specific programs described on lines 4A, 4B, and 4C, BRIT publishes the Journal of Botanical Research of Texas (JBRIT), which presents research from BRIT researchers as well as leading researchers from other organizations throughout the world. BRIT also publishes monographs and botanical books such as the Illustrated Flora of North Texas and the Illustrated Flora of East Texas which are leading works in botanical education in Texas.

    Expenses $441,796 · Revenue $151,752

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Patrick Newman

    CEO

    Total calculated
    $461,090
    From this org
    $419,378
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,712
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $371,378
    Bonus
    $48,000
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $17,250
    Nontaxable benefits
    $24,462
    Filer's total
    $461,090

  • Keri Barfield

    CFO

    Total calculated
    $154,501
    From this org
    $132,927
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,574
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $132,927
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $6,883
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,691
    Filer's total
    $154,501

  • Peter Fritsch

    VP of Research

    Total calculated
    $153,865
    From this org
    $129,066
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,799
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $129,066
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $6,763
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,036
    Filer's total
    $153,865

  • Sara Richardson

    VP of Advance.

    Total calculated
    $139,172
    From this org
    $124,227
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,945
    Hours/week
    50

  • Bob Byers

    VP Spec Project

    Total calculated
    $132,850
    From this org
    $117,748
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,102
    Hours/week
    50

  • Ashton Faulds

    VP of Marketing

    Total calculated
    $111,782
    From this org
    $107,015
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,767
    Hours/week
    50

  • Ms Carole Jordan

    member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mrs Elizabeth McCarthy

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Derick Mesch

    Member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ms Debbie Morrison

    member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ms Dana Burghdoff

    Adv. Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Greg Bird

    member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Ed Bass

    Board VP Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Craig Hamilton

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dr R Nowell Donovan

    Dir of Emeritus

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr G Clark Kemble

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Michael Malone

    member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr William Brentlinger

    Imm. Pst Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Steven Brauer Jr

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Kacey Cornelius

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ms Kristin Odom

    Board Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • MS ELIZABETH Cornelsen

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr John Avila

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ms Debbie Reynolds

    member

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ms Estela Martinez

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Capt Bob O'Kennon

    Dir of Emeritus

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr William Welder

    Secretary

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Patrick Reddell

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mrs Amy Allen

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Brad Barnes

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr H Terry Siegel

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Andrew Allsup

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ms Elizabeth Waddill

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dr Marie Holliday

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Gregory Fitzgerald

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Bourke Harvey

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Ms Gail Landreth

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mr Jonathan Cranz

    MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

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

  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 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

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2025
Filed
18 September 2026
IRS schema version
2025v4.1
Source object
202632619349300928

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