2018-11-13T08:00:57-06:00 2017-12-31 SMITH & HOWARD PC 271 17TH STREET SUITE 1600 ATLANTA GA 30363 990 2017-01-01 586028607 Fernbank Inc % CATHERINE NOWELL FERN 4049296344 767 Clifton Road NE Atlanta GA 303071221 CATHERINE NOWELL EVP & CFO 4049296344 2018-11-15 true MARC AZAR P91739349 4048746244 50.227.246.66 67983820183175000002 2018-11-13 P 9A23731C5DC4E7648FD9E36020C8EEE3976DAFB5 1D1DFCEBF0825357DE425EC47E8C3A2A8E1CAC23 2017 2019-02-21 02:37:17Z Catherine Nowell 767 Clifton Road NE Atlanta GA 303071221 13570482 false X www.fernbankmuseum.org X 1939 GA To inspire lifelong learning of natural history through immersive programming and unmatched experiences to encourage a greater appreciation of our planet and its inhabitants. 43 43 184 352 1059920 -139571 8110637 4545054 3593768 3599943 99258 66696 1702808 1870772 13506471 10082465 96624 118045 0 0 4464730 4324679 0 0 637136 7465461 7794268 12026815 12236992 1479656 -2154527 46415823 44162218 2291900 1533241 44123923 42628977 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 7565409 3515883 EXHIBITIONS AND GIANT SCREEN MOVIES SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DESCRIPTION. 942787 118045 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DESCRIPTION. 1434959 84060 STRATEGIC INITIATIVES SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DESCRIPTION. 9943155 true true false false false false false true false true true false false false false 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 28 0 true 184 true true true false false false false true true false false false false X 43 43 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false GA X X CATHERINE NOWELL 4049296344 767 CLIFTON ROAD NE Atlanta GA 303071221 Jeffery B Baker Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Myra C Bierria Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Hartley D Blaha Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ronald B Bobo 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 George T Devlin Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ryan Smith Dunlap Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Jason B Ferguson Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Teresa Finley 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 Douglas B Herndon Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 W Ron Hinson Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Catherine Mitchell Jaxon Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Lindsey M Johnson 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 Cara Isdell Lee Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Bertram L Levy Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Matthew S Lewis Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Barbara F Martin Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ashley Miller Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Nancy T Montgomery Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 C David Moody Jr Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Randolph A Moore III Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sandra S Morelli Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Drew Atkinson Putt Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sean Richards Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Joseph B Schultz Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Caryl G Smith Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Scott C Smith 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 Lesley T Wainwright Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Christopher Waits Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Cynthia Widner Wall Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 William L Warren Board Member 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Erin T Weis 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 Susan Neugent President/CEO 50.0 0.0 X 400874 0 5400 Jennifer Grant-Warner President/CEO 50.0 0.0 X 226053 0 5575 Catherine Nowell EVP, CFO & COO 50.0 0.0 X 210255 0 16974 Dana Harvey VP & CTO 50.0 0.0 X 121925 0 16900 959107 0 44849 4 false true false American Museum of Natural History Central Park West 79th St NEW YORK NY 10024 Exhibit rental 535000 Sysco PO Box 490379 COLLEGE PARK GA 30349 Food Service provide 314340 ServPro 1855 McFarland 400 Drive ALPHARETTA GA 30004 Remediation Service 254097 GEORGIA MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS INC 5195 BUFORD HIGHWAY NORCROSS GA 30071 JANITORIAL SERVICES 235000 WSB-TV PO Box 809036 CHICAGO IL 60680 Marketing Services 193718 8 X 1100789 636375 2807890 205843 4545054 MUSEUM ADMISSIONS 611600 2713774 2713774 IMAX ADMISSIONS 713990 802109 802109 EDUCATIONAL INCOME 611600 84060 84060 3599943 134203 134203 0 0 0 0 0 881126 1621304 840238 1729700 40888 -108396 -67507 -67507 146123 636375 180485 -34362 -34362 0 0 0 2633872 737594 1896278 836358 1059920 OTHER REVENUE 900099 8856 8856 8856 10082465 4445157 1059920 32334 0 118045 118045 0 0 1006620 447267 495458 63895 0 2563590 1771136 488458 303996 44968 29114 11229 4625 406314 253267 90645 62402 303187 196436 75949 30802 0 0 50750 50750 0 0 26956 26956 0 837718 837718 322262 33084 281799 7379 132067 132067 0 922686 922686 0 0 0 0 0 2618179 2617636 543 152024 152024 EXHIBITS 1920237 1920237 PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES 344138 293121 2847 48170 FILM PROGRAMMING 227588 227588 SPECIAL EVENTS 123796 123796 115867 115867 12236992 9943155 1656701 637136 X 6972231 7536384 87817 0 1223773 493370 144602 93622 0 0 0 0 0 0 215105 245400 273509 354134 58169444 29883676 31213290 28285768 5214995 6069779 0 0 0 0 0 0 1070501 1083761 46415823 44162218 2291900 1533241 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2291900 1533241 X 33532833 31517318 10185689 10706258 405401 405401 44123923 42628977 46415823 44162218 X -2154527 659581 X X false true X true false X 10819355 8711041 14299406 8110637 4545054 46485493 0 0 10819355 8711041 14299406 8110637 4545054 46485493 11191280 35294213 10010 13042 30120 129125 134203 316500 0 0 46801993 24670749 0.75412 0.75787 X 1928 1061949 X X X X false 5585887 815756 44325 26956 6330362 5298082 351042 41981 21256 5585887 5437580 -121290 18208 5298082 5446366 -7191 1595 5437580 389432 5050027 6907 5446366 0.00000 1.00000 0.00000 false false 2421005 2421005 645956 638866 7090 51953743 26756727 25197016 3148739 2488083 660657 28285768 0 0 X 10895575 659581 180485 840066 10055509 26956 26956 10082465 12390521 180485 180485 12210036 26956 26956 12236992 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 of value for exhibition and education for students and visitors, 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. We will use these to develop engaging exhibits, educational programs and resources that will provide our visitors opportunities to experience authentic cultural materials, artifacts and specimens representative of the earth's history and its variety of life. 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 The $180,485 is due to fundraising expenses. Schedule D, Part XII, Question 2d The $180,485 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, 2017. 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, 2014. Timeless 782498 636375 146123 13500 52218 69472 14454 30841 0 782498 636375 146123 13500 52218 69472 14454 30841 180485 -34362 true Reduced Admission 15449 118045 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 true false false false false false true false Susan Neugent President/CEO 131851 0 0 0 269023 0 5400 0 387 0 406661 0 95515 0 Jennifer Grant-Warner President/CEO 220000 0 0 0 6053 0 4539 0 1699 0 232291 0 0 0 Catherine Nowell EVP, CFO & COO 204520 0 0 0 5735 0 4340 0 13480 0 228075 0 0 0 Schedule J, Part I, Question 4b A 457(b) deferred compensation plan has been established for Susan Neugent to which she makes contributions. In the current year, Susan received the distributions from the plan. Schedule J, Part I, Question 7 Several employees received a one time payment to cash out vacation they were not able to take. X 15125 fmv X 16 190718 FMV false true true Schedule M, Part I, Question 32b SunTrust Securities receives any stock gifts and holds them until notification of 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 on the Museum's web site and a link was provided 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 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 and current Form 990 are available on-line through the Museum's web site. Form 990, Part III, Question 4a Exhibits and giant screen movies: Fernbank Museum offers a diversity of programming through a variety of both exhibitions and films. In 2017, Fernbank presented four special exhibitions, Wild Weather, Mammoths and Mastodons, Fernbank Forest: Designed by Nature and Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum. Taking advantage of the Fernbank's newest feature, WildWoods, Fernbank debuted Wild Huts & Hollows, its first outdoor gallery exhibit featuring a variety of woven sculptures. Continuing to offer annual favorites, Fernbank presented its eighth annual Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions from Around the World, a festive holiday exhibit which serves as a unique presentation of cultural celebrations and traditions. Fernbank also offered 20 family-oriented Discovery Days, that offered hands-on activities, demonstrations, STEM experiences and cultural programming that connected to our exhibits, movies, nature and more. In 2017, Fernbank also unveiled a newly updated giant screen theater featuring state-of-the-art 4K digital projection with both 3D and 2D capabilities, providing a truly immersive experience. Films shown utilizing the enhanced 3D capability included Extreme Weather 3D, Amazon Adventure 3D, and Incredible Predators 3D. Other film programming included The Search for Life in Space, Dream Big, Titans of the Ice Age, National Parks Adventure, and Tiny Giants. In 2017, through these interactive exhibits , thought-provoking movies and hands-on experiences, Fernbank continued to introduce visitors to cultures around the globe, create STEM-rich learning experiences and highlight important environmental issues facing the world today to encourage a deeper understanding of our planet and its inhabitants. Form 990, Part III, Question 4b Educational Programs: Fernbank is committed to offering the highest-quality educational programming designed to complement the visitors experience at the museum as well as through in-school learning. Programs are designed for a variety of audiences at all stages of life, including adults, families, and school children. In 2017, Fernbank offered more than 500 exploratory science classes and delivered enhanced, on-site laboratory and classroom programs to roughly 12,500 of the 50,000 kindergarten through 12th grade students who visited as part of a field trip. All museum programs, exhibits and films are designed to meet or exceed state and national standards, enhancing the classroom experience and bringing science to life through hands-on experiences. Additionally, Fernbank debuted a new monthly adult science night, Fernbank After Dark reaching a young adult audience of 14,000 visitors. This new series offers the unique opportunity to experience the Museum after-hours and participate in a variety of hands-on science activities led by Fernbank educators during an adults-only environment. One of Fernbanks most innovative on-site programs is Urban Watch Atlanta, a 4-hour hands-on environmental science program for middle and high school students that provides a guided ecological hike, hands-on activities and restoration work in the 65-acre old-growth Fernbank Forest. During implementation of this program, Fernbanks educators served 1,130 students in 2017 alone. Fernbank also reached 375 underserved preschool and pre-K students through the Grow Up Great program that provides integrated art and science programming, including customized field trip opportunities, in-classroom experiences and science resource kits for families and teachers. For families and children, the Museum offered Excellent Experiments, Tadpole Tales, live animal encounters, family exploration days, guided Forest walks and more. These programs provided visitors with new experiences with each visit, allowing them to delve deeper into themes presented throughout the museum at age-appropriate levels. Form 990, Part III, Question 4c Strategic Initiatives: Fernbanks strategic plan called for the Museum to fulfill its unique environmental legacy in its preservation and stewardship of Fernbank Forest--the largest old-growth Piedmont forest in a major metropolitan area--by leveraging the entire campus to foster a deeper connection to the natural world. In 2016, the Museum debuted WildWoods, a 10-acre outdoor nature experience featuring paths, elevated walkway, tree pods, exhibitions and an education pavilion that serve as the museums new interpretive entrance into Fernbank Forest. During 2017, Forest Rangers and facilitators engaged visitors along the 1.7 miles of hiking trails and introduced them to the natural wonders of Fernbank Forest and the delicate balance of its eco systems. Fernbank personnel, volunteers and specialists continued to improve the health of the forest by continuing to remove non-native invasive plant species, allowing for regrowth of the natural seed bank and restoration of the Forest.