Skip to content
Nonprofiteer
← BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN CORPORATION

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN CORPORATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$36,200,661
Total expenses
$29,425,221
Contributions and grants received
$27,022,857
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$6,065,476
Investment income
$1,018,348
Other revenue
$2,093,980
Total assets, end of year
$158,773,654
Total liabilities, end of year
$14,621,967
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$144,151,687
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$24,240,453
Management and general expenses
$3,318,522
Fundraising expenses
$1,866,246
Program service expenses (Part III)
$24,240,453

Program services were 82.4% 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

    $2,780,862

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $1,070,670

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $7,826,137

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $15,345,188

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $784,539

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ADMISSIONS

    total $5,273,149 · related or exempt $5,273,149

  • 2b · Program service revenue: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

    total $688,269 · related or exempt $688,269

  • 2c · Program service revenue: LIGHTSCAPE

    total $104,058 · related or exempt $104,058

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,016,748 · excluded $1,016,748

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $1,205,238

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $1,205,238

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $1,205,238 · excluded $1,205,238

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $50,008,760 · other assets $1,600

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

    securities $50,008,760 · other assets $0

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $0 · other assets $1,600

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $1,600 · excluded $1,600

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $145,183

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

    $1,070,670

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $574,720

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$429,537 · excluded -$429,537

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $190,993

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $41,750

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $149,243 · related or exempt $149,243

  • 11a · Other revenue: SPECIAL FEES - OTHER

    total $1,317,234 · related or exempt $1,317,234

  • 11b · Other revenue: INVESTMENT IN LTD. PARTNERSHIPS

    total -$148,198 · excluded -$148,198

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $1,169,036

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $659,080 · program services $525,838 · management and general $83,713 · fundraising $49,529

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $13,768,828 · program services $10,952,156 · management and general $1,761,328 · fundraising $1,055,344

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,461,923 · program services $1,215,390 · management and general $167,210 · fundraising $79,323

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $3,702,948 · program services $3,078,496 · management and general $423,532 · fundraising $200,920

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,141,588 · program services $949,075 · management and general $130,571 · fundraising $61,942

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $219,871 · program services $11,212 · management and general $170,138 · fundraising $38,521

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $78,000 · management and general $78,000

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $105,150 · fundraising $105,150

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $159,517 · management and general $159,517

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,259,462 · program services $2,531,104 · management and general $628,202 · fundraising $100,156

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $141,611 · program services $110,352 · management and general $28,621 · fundraising $2,638

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $334,042 · program services $294,276 · management and general $8,051 · fundraising $31,715

  • 14 · Information technology

    program services $694,627 · management and general -$751,649 · fundraising $57,022

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $697,202 · program services $646,752 · management and general $48,270 · fundraising $2,180

  • 17 · Travel

    total $207,826 · program services $143,691 · management and general $26,813 · fundraising $37,322

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $1,428,558 · program services $1,307,878 · management and general $120,680

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $502,801 · program services $390,067 · management and general $73,865 · fundraising $38,869

  • 24a · Other expenses: SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS

    total $702,982 · program services $677,578 · management and general $20,562 · fundraising $4,842

  • 24b · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT

    total $421,314 · program services $280,580 · management and general $140,421 · fundraising $313

  • 24c · Other expenses: REPAIRS

    total $404,986 · program services $404,687 · management and general $299

  • 24d · Other expenses: BOOKS AND PERIODICALS

    total $22,732 · program services $21,894 · management and general $378 · fundraising $460

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $4,800 · program services $4,800

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $5,294,918 · end of year $3,504,462

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $14,883,980 · end of year $10,991,732

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $2,862,168 · end of year $5,211,203

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $571,071 · end of year $318,770

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $303,636 · end of year $271,994

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

    $60,523,649

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

    $35,188,136

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $25,814,263 · end of year $25,335,513

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $78,598,035 · end of year $100,298,214

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $8,816,913 · end of year $12,841,766

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $4,310,415 · end of year $4,453,628

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $501,993 · end of year $401,993

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $9,699,321 · end of year $9,766,346

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $114,337,635 · end of year $134,617,518

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $8,295,620 · end of year $9,534,169

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

SEE SCHEDULE O

Activities or mission (Part I)

AN URBAN BOTANIC GARDEN THAT CONNECTS PEOPLE TO THE WORLD OF PLANTS (SEE SCHEDULE O).

  • MAINTENANCE: SEE SCHEDULE O.

    Expenses $5,772,563

  • HORTICULTURE: SEE SCHEDULE O.

    Expenses $5,257,419

  • EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS: SEE SCHEDULE O.

    Expenses $4,850,586 · Revenue $688,269

  • SECURITY, PROGRAM ENHANCEMENT, MEMBERSHIP, ADMISSIONS, AND PUBLICATIONS.SECURITY:SECURITY ENSURES THAT OUR GARDEN AND ITS LIVING COLLECTIONS ARE PROTECTED AND THAT OUR VISITORS' ENVIRONMENT IS SAFE.PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS:COMBINING RECREATION WITH HORTICULTURAL AND ECOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION, THE GARDEN PRODUCES A VARIETY OF SEASONAL PUBLIC PROGRAMS THAT HIGHLIGHT THE COLLECTIONS AND THE SEASON AND CELEBRATE THE CULTURAL DIVERSITY OF BROOKLYN. IN THE SPRING, THE GARDEN HONORS THE JAPANESE TRADITION OF HANAMI: CELEBRATING THE CHERRY BLOSSOM SEASON WITH DANCE, MUSIC, AND PERFORMANCE. THE GARDEN CELEBRATES SUMMER AND FALL WITH PROGRAMMED EVENINGS, HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL ARTISTS AND BROOKLYN CULTURE. IN ADDITION, THE GARDEN ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE OF ITSVISITORS AND PATRONS WITH VARIOUS EXHIBITIONS AND A COMPREHENSIVE VISITOR SERVICES PROGRAM.MEMBERSHIP:MEMBERSHIP ENHANCES THE GARDEN VISITOR EXPERIENCE BY PROVIDING YEAR-ROUND ACCESS TO THE GARDEN, SPECIALTY AFTER-HOURS GARDEN EVENTS, BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN CORPORATION 11-2417338AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. THE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM AVAILS VISITORS OF VARIOUS GARDEN AND COMMUNITY DISCOUNTS.ADMISSIONS:THE GARDEN IS COMMITTED TO MAKING ITS EXHIBITIONS, PROGRAMS, AND COLLECTIONS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL WHO VISIT. TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY, THE GARDEN MAINTAINS A COMMUNITY TICKET PROGRAM, WHERE A PORTION OF EACH DAYS' TICKETS ARE SET ASIDE FOR THOSE WHO NEED THEM. IN ADDITION TO THECOMMUNITY TICKET PROGRAM, THE GARDEN PARTICIPATES IN VARIOUS COMPLIMENTARY OR REDUCED PRICED ADMISSION PROGRAMS.PUBLICATIONS:THE DIGITAL AND PRINT MEDIA DEPARTMENT CREATES ORIGINAL, MISSION-DRIVEN MEDIA THAT INFORMS THE PUBLIC ABOUT PLANTS, ECOLOGY, AND HORTICULTURE. PRODUCTS INCLUDE GARDEN GUIDES TO A BETTER PLANET, EDITORIAL SERVICES FOR ALL OF THE GARDEN'S INTERPRETATION AND PRINTED MATERIAL, AS WELL ASCOLLECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF PHOTOS DOCUMENTING THE GARDEN'S COLLECTIONS. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO MANAGES THE GARDEN'S WEBSITE, BBG.ORG, THAT OFFERS GARDENING ARTICLES, A NATURE BLOG, HISTORIC IMAGES OF THE COLLECTIONS, AND RICH RESEARCH RESOURCES.

    Expenses $8,359,885 · Revenue $5,377,207

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Diane H Steinberg

    BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Jennifer Rogg Eisenstadt

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Suzanne T Marquard

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Lloyd M Metz

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Martha Mast Watts

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Martin Bell

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Frederick Bland

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Courtney Broadwater

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Lisa Donneson

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Elizabeth Gile

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Donald A Goldsmith

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Krystyna Houser

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Marshall Miller

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Priscilla Newbury

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Ellen Petersen

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Donald Reed

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Serge Vatel

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Earl D Weiner

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Robert W Whiteford

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Sasha Bass

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Emme Levin Deland

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5
  • Mimi Morris

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Madeline Carson

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Stephen Merkel

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Adam Durrett

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Stephen Dietz

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Keisha Dixon

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Parvin Moyne

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Laura Richards

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Susan Kramer

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Constance R Roosevelt

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Jon Schippers

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Chloe Thevenoz

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • John Shaheen

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Sharon Volckhausen

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Mark Van Zandt

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Dana Dirickson

    FORMER TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Nicole Carter

    FORMER TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Adrian Benepe

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $393,327
    From this org
    $381,703
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,624
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $381,703
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,624
    Filer's total
    $393,327
  • Dorota Rashid

    CFO, VP OF FINANCE

    Total calculated
    $265,753
    From this org
    $233,270
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,483
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $233,270
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,483
    Filer's total
    $265,753
  • Leslie Findlen

    SENIOR VP OF INSTITUTIONAL

    Total calculated
    $264,167
    From this org
    $251,795
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,372
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $251,795
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,372
    Filer's total
    $264,167
  • Kathryn Glass

    CHIEF OF MARKETING AND VIS

    Total calculated
    $266,810
    From this org
    $234,327
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,483
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $234,327
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,483
    Filer's total
    $266,810
  • Sonal Bhatt

    VP OF EDUCATION

    Total calculated
    $160,348
    From this org
    $160,348
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $160,348
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $160,348
  • Tracey Faireland

    VP OF CAPITAL PROJECTS

    Total calculated
    $166,068
    From this org
    $153,696
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,372
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $153,696
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,372
    Filer's total
    $166,068
  • Rowan Blaik

    VICE PRESIDENT OF HORTICUL

    Total calculated
    $179,785
    From this org
    $147,302
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,483
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $147,302
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,483
    Filer's total
    $179,785

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 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 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.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
30 October 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202523039349303307

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.