2023-11-14T14:53:38-06:00 2022-12-31 SMITH & HOWARD ADVISORY LLC 271 17TH STREET NW SUITE 1600 ATLANTA GA 30363 990 2022-01-01 586028607 Fernbank Inc % CATHERINE A NOWELL FERN 4049296344 767 Clifton Road NE Atlanta GA 303071221 CATHERINE NOWELL EVP & CFO 4049296344 2023-11-15 true Catherine Nowell 999009999 MARC A AZAR P91739349 4048746244 2023-11-15 3 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z Catherine A Nowell 767 Clifton Road NE Atlanta GA 303071221 16569382 false X www.fernbankmuseum.org X 1939 GA ignite a passion for science, nature and human culture through exploration and discovery. 38 38 189 200 827441 0 8095163 7176308 3303333 4123685 523448 321580 1699029 2126371 13620973 13747944 54066 18626 0 0 4215543 4793258 0 0 689535 7016277 7552009 11285886 12363893 2335087 1384051 44303484 44468490 1959724 2121559 42343760 42346931 X FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY INSPIRES A LIFELONG LEARNING OF NATURAL HISTORY THROUGH IMMERSIVE PROGRAMMING AND UNMATCHED EXPERIENCES TO ENCOURAGE A GREATER APPRECIATION OF OUR PLANET AND ITS INHABITANTS. FERNBANK IS DEDICATED TO STIMULATING AN INTEREST IN SCIENCE, THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN CULTURE; RECONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE; AND RESTORING A SENSE OF WONDER IN THE NATURAL WORLD. FERNBANK VIEWS NATURAL HISTORY AS A STARTLINGLY CONTEMPORARY SUBJECT MATTER, ENCOMPASSING TWO OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUES OF OUR TIME--THE DIVERSITY OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND THE DIVERSITY OF HUMAN CULTURE. FERNBANK PRESENTS THE CONCEPTS OF PHYSICAL, EARTH, LIFE AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN AN INTERACTIVE AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH A VARIETY OF PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS, SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS, GIANT SCREEN FILMS AND SIGNATURE PROGRAMS. AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, FERNBANK SUPPORTS A VISITOR'S INTRINSIC DESIRE TO LEARN. OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD A MORE-INFORMED CITIZENRY, SCIENTIFICALLY AND CULTURALLY, THAT PLA false false 7420859 18626 3991031 EXHIBITIONS AND GIANT SCREEN MOVIES SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DESCRIPTION. 769203 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DESCRIPTION. 571643 132654 STRATEGIC INITIATIVES SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DESCRIPTION. 8761705 true true false false false false false true false true true false false false true true true false false false false false false false true false false false true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 14 0 true 189 true true true false false false false true true false false false false false false X 38 38 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false GA X CATHERINE A NOWELL 4049296344 767 CLIFTON ROAD NE Atlanta GA 303071221 X Jennifer Grant-Warner President & CEO 50.0 0.0 X 325000 0 20510 Catherine Nowell EVP & CFO 50.0 0.0 X 217002 0 27210 Dana Harvey VP & CTO 50.0 0.0 X 137217 0 23058 LESLIE MARLOWE VP & Chief Advancement Officer 50.0 0.0 X 127088 0 16259 Justin Antoine VP of Finance & Security 45.0 0.0 X 105101 0 15103 Mark S Berry Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Philipp Biechteler Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ronald B Bobo Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Laura J Brown Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Liz Broadway Brown Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Leslie B Conway Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Farah F Cook Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Chris Courts Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sherri Crawford Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Kate Denny Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Jennifer Ellis Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Jason B Ferguson Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Neale Fisher Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Louis Gump Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Burch A Hanson Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ellen Langford Hayes Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Matthew G Heimermann Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Dana Hudson Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Wab P Kadaba Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Anisa Telwar Kaicker Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Andrea M Kauffman Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Bertram L Levy Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 C David Moody Jr Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sandra S Morelli Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Rakhee Parikh Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Shannon Pierce Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Aaron Ribner Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sean Richards Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Jerome Roberts Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Caryl G Smith Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Elliott Spencer Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Mike Suco Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Natasha Swann Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Amanda Tucker Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Erin T Weis Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Cynthia Widner Wall Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 C Christian Wooten Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 S Zachary Young Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 911408 0 102140 5 false true false GEORGIA MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS INC 5195 BUFORD HIGHWAY NORCROSS GA 30071 JANITORIAL SERVICES 234000 OUTFRONT MEDIA PO BOX 33074 NEWARK NJ 071880074 MARKETING SERVICES 193955 EFFECTV PO BOX 415949 BOSTON MA 022415949 MARKETING SERVICES 138377 Little Ray's Reptile Zoo US LLC Space J224 PO Box 9570 Destiny US SYRACUSE NY 13204 EXHIBITION DESIGNER 132500 OUTDOOR MEDIA SOLUTIONS 4951 NORTH MUMFORD ROAD MACON GA 31210 MARKETING SERVICES 124565 7 1212918 665129 100886 5197375 910244 7176308 MUSEUM ADMISSIONS 611600 3504467 3504467 IMAX ADMISSIONS 713990 486564 486564 EDUCATIONAL INCOME 611600 132654 132654 4123685 160353 160353 0 0 0 0 0 0 1908853 1747626 161227 161227 161227 136920 665129 214556 -77636 -77636 0 0 0 3007402 859256 2148146 1320705 827441 OTHER REVENUE 900099 55861 55861 55861 13747944 5500251 827441 243944 0 18626 18626 0 0 1017737 279135 533520 205082 0 3136502 2072868 730319 333315 34514 14374 17502 2638 292515 212562 55101 24852 311990 192397 82132 37461 0 0 69250 69250 0 0 33282 33282 0 802765 785775 16990 426057 24176 389835 12046 215370 215370 197827 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30000 937653 146174 35869 8082846 6695947 5000 810864 184828 29747 7297236 5921021 1065608 261977 28705 6695947 6330362 -353732 27031 28578 5921021 1.00000 false false 2421005 2421005 645956 645956 0 56532862 39384065 17148797 4717740 1938270 2779470 22349272 0 LONG-TERM CONTRACTS PAYABLE 66250 66250 X 12548338 -1380880 -1380880 13929218 33282 -214556 -181274 13747944 12545167 12545167 33282 -214556 -181274 12363893 Schedule D, Part III, Question 4 Fernbank Museum was created to encourage and advance the study and understanding of natural history by disseminating knowledge of the Earth and life upon it. We seek to develop a comprehensive collection for exhibition and education for students and visitors of all ages, as well as for research by curators and visiting scholars. As a natural history museum, we will collect and maintain a repository of biological, anthropological, geological and paleontological specimens that will be used to develop engaging exhibits, educational programs and resources to provide our visitors with opportunities to learn more about the earth and its inhabitants, both past and present. Schedule D, Part V, Question 4 THE OVER ALL FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES OF THE ENDOWMENT ARE TO SUPPORT THE CURRENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS OF THE MUSEUM PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO THE FERNBANK FOREST AND TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE ENDOWMENT. THE ENDOWMENT'S INVESTMENT POLICY IS STRUCTURED TO ACHIEVE RETURNS IN EXCESS OF THE RATE OF INFLATION TO PRESERVE THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED ASSETS AS WELL AS EMPHASIZE GROWTH OF PRINCIPAL WHILE AVOIDING EXCESSIVE RISK. THE ENDOWMENT'S SPENDING POLICY ALLOWS FOR DISTRIBUTIONS UP TO 4.5% OF A TRAILING THREE YEAR AVERAGE OF THE MARKET VALUE OF THE TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED ENDOWMENT FUND FOR SPECIFIED ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES. Schedule D, Part III, Question 1a In accordance with GAAP, donated collections are recorded at commercial market value, determined by independent appraisal. Purchased collection items are recorded at cost. Collections are not depreciated. --- The value of collections donated by individuals prior to the current method of recording donated collections, including the gem stone collection and other works of art, are not recorded. However, the Organization's gem stone collection is extensive and has substantial value based upon appraisals of the items at the time of their donation. Schedule D, Part XI, Question 2d $214,556 fundraising expenses ---------- $214,556 Total Adjustments Schedule D, Part XII, Question 2d The $214,556 is due to fundraising expenses. Schedule D, Part X, Question 2 Fernbank, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization which is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes is reflected in the accompanying financial statements. The Organization annually evaluates all federal and state income tax positions. This process includes an analysis of whether these income tax positions the Organization takes meet the definition of an uncertain tax position under the Income Taxes Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Codification. The Organization does not believe it has any uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2022. In the normal course of business, the Organization is subject to examination by the federal and state taxing authorities. In general, the Organization is no longer subject to tax examinations for tax years ending before December 31, 2019. TIMELESS 802049 665129 136920 33728 72940 51505 56383 0 802049 665129 136920 33728 72940 51505 56383 214556 -77636 true Reduced Admission 1955 18626 FMV Reduced Admission Schedule I, Part I, Question 2 The grants reflect the free admission provided to families in need and Title 1 students. For example, when a Title 1 school visits the museum and the associated school is considered to have 80% Title 1 Students, then the school is given an 80% grant of the total museum admission cost. X X X X X X false false false false false false false true false Jennifer Grant-Warner President & CEO 275000 50000 16737 4668 346405 Dana Harvey VP & CTO 122217 15000 8384 15569 161170 Catherine Nowell EVP & CFO 192002 25000 12957 15149 245108 PART I, LINE 7: DISCRETIONARY BONUSES ARE AWARDED BASED ON PERFORMANCE. X 9 910244 FMV false true true Schedule M, Part I, Question 32b SunTrust Securities receives any stock gifts and sells them immediately upon receipt. Schedule M, Number of Contributions The Number of Contributions is determined by the number of contributions received not the number of items received. Part VI, Section A, Question 11b As stated in the Finance & Audit Committee Charter adopted on August 3, 2006, the Form 990 is reviewed by the Finance & Audit Committee, a sub- committee of the Board of Trustees prior to filing with the IRS. A complete copy of the Form 990 was made available to each Board Trustee. Part VI, Section B, Question 12c A full copy of the Conflict of Interest Statement is provided to each Trustee at the first board meeting of the year. Each Trustee is required to sign an acknowledgement of receipt, indicates any potential conflicts of interest, and returns it to the Museum. A control list is maintained to ensure all acknowledgements are returned. The Museum recognizes a conflict of interest as occurring when an interested person defined as any trustee, principal officer or member of a committee with board-delegated powers has a direct or indirect financial interest or compensation arrangement through business, investment or family. Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are substantial in nature. All potential conflicts are reviewed by a committee of the board to determine whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Museum's best interest and for its own benefit and whether the transaction is fair and reasonable to the Museum and shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement in conformity with such determination. If the board committee determines a conflict of interest does exist, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action. Part VI, Section B, Question 15a Compensation for the President/CEO is determined by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Compensation and benefit information is gathered from human resource consultants pertaining to both museums of comparable size and nature and other regional cultural institutions. The information is reviewed by the Executive Committee and a compensation package is developed and approved. PART VI, SECTION B, QUESTION 15B All other officers' compensation is determined in a similar process as to that of the President/CEO; however, the process is performed by Human Resources Staff and all other officers are not under contract. Part VI, Section C, Question 19 The Museum's governing documents including Fernbank's Charter and Articles of Incorporation, its mission statement and strategic plan, ethics policy, collections policy, privacy policy, gift policy, investment policy, endowment policy, conflict of interest policy, whistle blower policy, document retention policy and finance committee charter and current Form 990 are available upon request through the finance Department at 767 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30307 for a nominal fee. The Museum's audited financial statements are available on-line through the Museum's web site. Form 990, Part III, Question 4a Exhibits and large-screen films: Fernbank Museum offers a diversity of programming, including a variety of interdisciplinary exhibits and documentary films that expose visitors to the latest global science. Fernbank presented blockbuster special exhibits including: Knights in Armor, Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family, and Journey to Space; and popular seasonal exhibits like Lichens: Symphonies of Scale, Habitats, Games in the Gallery, Woodland Spirits and Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions from Around the World. Fernbank's Giant Screen Theater continued to provide state-of-the-art 4K digital projection. Films shown included Dinosaurs of Antarctica, Mountain Adventure: Out of Bounds, Ireland, Antarctica, Secrets of the Sea, and Astronaut: Ocean to Orbit. Key attendance drivers, exhibits and films helped attract 341,000 visitors to Fernbank, a 25% increase over prior year, demonstrating a continued recovery following the pandemic. Form 990, Part III, Question 4b Fernbank is committed to offering the highest-quality educational programming that complements a visit, supports in-school learning and reaches new audiences. Programs are designed for a variety of guests at all stages of life, including adults, families, and school children. Fernbank premiered WildWoods: AGLOW, a multi-sensory nighttime experience designed to attract new audiences. In addition, Fernbank presented Fernbank After Dark, a monthly adult science night; a broad array of family enrichment programs, including the popular Family Discovery Days; seasonal camps; and STEAM-Powered Communities, an educational initiative that includes a robust portfolio of school programs including K-12 Exploratory Science Classes, CORE (Connecting, Observing, Researching Ecosystems) ecology programs, Science Explorers at Agape, and Fernbank on the GO! community outreach. All museum programs including exhibits and films exceed Georgia Standards of Excellence, enhance classroom learning and bring science to life through dynamic and stimulating experiences. Form 990, Part III, Question 4c Strategic Initiatives: Guided by a 5-year strategic plan, adopted in 2019 and to be extended this year, Fernbank is advancing new education and strategic initiatives that will address STEAM literacy and the significance of biodiversity and the earth's interconnected systems to our shared global home. The strategic plan embraced a new mission to ignite a passion for science, nature and human culture through exploration and discovery; introduced these core values-Science and the natural world inspire us; Curiosity drives us; Inclusivity strengthens us; Community empowers; Resourcefulness advances us; and Integrity grounds us; and, established these stated goals and strategies-Be known as the place for science, nature and culture; Modernize our experiences to serve the needs and expectations of our community; Expand and diversify our reach to reflect the vibrancy and multi-cultural heritage of our shared community; and strengthen our financial base so Fernbank thrives for future generations. In fulfillment of the strategic plan goals, Fernbank launched THRIVE: The Nature of Change, a $25 Million capital campaign to a create a new anchor exhibit, 'Changing Earth,new immersive galleries on all three levels of the Museum; revitalize the Hodgson House located in Fernbank Forest; and improve our accessibility and reach with the addition of a second passenger elevator and programs that reinforce our commitment to guests of all abilities, identities, and backgrounds. FORM 990, PART VIII, Line 1e In March 2021, the Organization obtained a Small Business Administration loan under the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act ("PPPFA") in the amount of $849,000. The Paycheck Protection Program loan bore interest at 1% and may have required repayment under certain circumstances under the terms outlined by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (the "CARES Act") and PPPFA. The Organization fulfilled the requirements necessary to record the funds in the statement of activities and changes in net assets in 2021. In May 2022, the Organization received notification of forgiveness of the loan. As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stabilization Act (the "CARES" Act), employers are provided the Employee Retention Credit ("ERC"). The ERC is a benefit provided through payroll tax credits to encourage maintaining employee headcounts throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. The Organization is treating the ERC as a conditional grant and revenue is recorded when the conditions are substantially met. During 2021, the Organization met the conditions required by the ERC and recognized grant revenue of $789,315, which is reflected as Employee Retention Credit grant in the accompanying statement of activities and changes in net assets. The total outstanding ERC receivable at December 31, 2022 and 2021, is $127,184 and $228,070, respectively.