2025-01-31T16:05:09-06:00 2024-03-31 010494526 Baker Newman & Noyes PO Box 507 Portland ME 04112 990 2023-04-01 010476545 Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Inc COAS 2076334333 PO Box 234 Boothbay ME 04537 Gretchen Ostherr President & CEO 2076334333 2025-01-30 1 0 Connor Smart P02285543 2078792100 2025-01-30 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Gretchen Ostherr PO Box 234 Boothbay ME 04537 14250045 0 X https://www.mainegardens.org/ X 1992 ME To inspire connections among people and nature through horticulture, education, and research. 17 17 145 211 0 0 12577558 5641720 5074589 5119394 442780 702767 1276471 1325913 19371398 12789794 0 6400 0 0 5739157 6107482 159500 158000 1488942 4526385 4754192 10425042 11026074 8946356 1763720 65222638 66543912 13662600 12793367 51560038 53750545 The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature through horticulture, education, and research. 0 0 6125568 6400 6491844 Incorporated as a non-profit in 1992, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG) opened in 2007 as Maine's first major botanical garden. At 325 acres, seventeen of which include themed and ornamental gardens, woodland trails, with nearly a mile of tidal shorefront, it is the largest public garden in Northern New England. The Gardens feature the Lyn and Daniel Lerner Visitor Center, a curated garden shop, and a cafe and grab-and-go market. CMBG offers educational programs encompassing plant science, gardening, botanical arts, and environmental education in our LEED-platinum, net-zero Bosarge Family Educational Center. Each of the Gardens' buildings also house administrative offices. CMBG remains an economic engine for the State of Maine, attracting 310,873 visitors to the Boothbay region during this tax year. 6125568 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 70 0 1 145 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 17 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 X X Catherine Messmer Finance Director 2076338019 PO Box 234 Boothbay ME 04537 John Auber Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Karen Bartholomew Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Stephen Blatt Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Geoff Chatterton Director (end 5/23) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jon Fauver Director (end 5/23) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Abra Lee Director (start 11/23) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jeff Long Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Keith Mestrich Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Helen Norton Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Luc Nya Director (start 11/23) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Mark Osborn Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kirsten Poler Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Margaret Reiser Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Beth Renyi Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 David Rines Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Errin Siagel Director (end 5/23) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Tish Stoneburner Director (end 5/23) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Paula Swetland Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Warren Winslow Director (end 5/23) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Mary Neal Chair 7.00 X X 0 0 0 Judy Parkhill Vice Chair (end 5/23) 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Paul Goodof Vice Chair/Treasurer 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Ann Poole Secretary 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Gretchen Ostherr President & CEO 60.00 X 278494 0 26284 Barbara Alfond Vice Chair (end 5/23) 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jennifer McKane VP of Philantropy & Marketing 40.00 X 151220 0 26570 Amy Root Senior Philanthropy Advisor 40.00 X 113211 0 25839 Daniel Ungier VP of Guest Experience and Education 40.00 X 107179 0 27466 650104 0 106159 4 0 1 0 Resilient Philanthropy PO Box 40646 Washington DC 20016 Fundraising Consultant 156000 Alliantgroup LP PO Box 664125 Dallas TX 75266 Financial Services 119434 2 2423731 3217989 332513 5641720 Admissions Revenue 713990 4262015 4262015 Membership Dues 713990 719881 719881 Educational Programs 611600 137498 137498 5119394 743067 743067 24893 71430 -46537 -46537 -46537 40300 -40300 -40300 -40300 2720971 1348521 1372450 1372450 12789794 6491844 0 656230 6400 6400 304779 178875 81415 44489 4674948 2743733 1248805 682410 125661 73751 33567 18343 649971 381469 173625 94877 352123 206661 94062 51400 30560 30560 26500 26500 158000 158000 318521 134058 184463 63569 63174 395 1018731 618141 371466 29124 34316 4764 21226 8326 671873 194643 473306 3924 202462 52862 108616 40984 77144 24853 29065 23226 309201 136159 173042 1752751 1437255 297968 17528 100847 454 100366 27 Printing/publications 143242 143242 Garden programs 4475 4475 11026074 6125568 3411564 1488942 11020329 12515781 12638461 8458035 2750 0 650727 827304 156677 94937 52768018 14724583 34772873 38043435 20532 6317 5960289 6598103 65222638 66543912 997703 705285 265570 408591 3889058 2934347 8510269 8745144 13662600 12793367 X 21379350 35082671 30180688 18667874 51560038 53750545 65222638 66543912 X 1763720 389012 4150 33625 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 8890061 4275847 16233499 12577558 5641720 47618685 8890061 4275847 16233499 12577558 5641720 47618685 15274123 32344562 271257 178887 139329 448318 767959 1805750 49424435 25265976 0.65440 0.60700 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 90000 502459 X 0 5494211 74669 597991 220600 5946271 5775975 235654 -253058 264360 5494211 4906154 519982 474359 124520 5775975 3765629 52959 1261396 173830 4906154 4246291 -222354 258308 3765629 0.28315 0.51024 0.20661 1 0 2144706 2144706 27052789 5004262 22048527 18117577 7371796 10745781 5197764 2348525 2849239 255182 255182 38043435 Beneficial interest in assets held by Maine Community Foundation 5946271 Sculptures and artwork 502459 Unemployment trust 87579 Finance lease, right of use assets 61794 6598103 Program related investment loan payable 8683311 Finance lease liability 61833 8745144 X 13288011 389012 4150 105055 498217 12789794 0 12789794 11097504 71430 71430 11026074 0 11026074 Part III, Line 4: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens hosts many art and sculpture exhibits throughout its operating seasons. The Organization utilizes artwork, sculpture, and craft to build connections between the community and Garden visitors over ideas of nature and creativity, and to foster relationships between its members, staff, and visitors. Much of the Organization's artwork is available to enjoy as public exhibitions that are displayed throughout and included within the Gardens' facilities and campus. Additionally, the Organization encourages and sponsors patrons of the creative arts through artistic symposiums and programmatic events which meld together the Organization's own mission to preserve, feature, and advocate for the natural environment while also advancing other creative pursuits and the humanities. Sculptures and artwork are recognized on the Organization's balance sheet within Other Assets, and donations of Artwork are reported as non-cash contributions when received and when recognized as income in the Organization's financial statements. Part V, Line 4: The purpose of the Organization's endowment funds is to provide investment income and gains to further various activities of the Organization. A portion of the Organization's endowment funds are maintained within the Maine Community Foundation ("MCF"), and a portion of endowment funds are deemed to be held in perpetuity with income restricted. Income from the endowment accounts held within MCF are subject to distribution formulas approved by the Organization's Board to ensure that such endowment capital balances are managed responsibly and sustainably. Additionally. the endowment accounts held within MCF are composed of investments spread across U.S. and global asset classes and are managed to produce long-term growth while minimizing volatility. Endowment funds set aside as "board designated or "quasi-endowments" are normally intended for general expenditures as part of the Organization's annual operations. Endowment funds set aside as restricted are subject to donor-imposed limitations on time and use. The majority of the Organization's restricted funds are reserved for the following purposes: facility improvements and expansions; research; art and garden exhibits; and conservation. Part X, Line 2: The Organization is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax-exempt organizations could be required to record an obligation for income taxes as the result of a tax position they have historically taken on various tax exposure items, including unrelated business income or tax status. Under guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), assets and liabilities are established for uncertain tax positions taken or positions expected to be taken in income tax returns when such positions are judged to not meet the "more-likely-than-not" threshold, based upon the technical merits of the position. Estimated interest and penalties, if applicable, related to uncertain tax positions are included as a component of income tax expense. Management has evaluated the Organization's tax positions taken on its filed tax returns and concluded that the Organization has maintained its tax-exempt status, does not have any significant unrelated business income and has taken no uncertain tax positions that require adjustment to the financial statements. Part XI, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Rental expenses 71,430. Deferred revenue write-down 33,625. Part XII, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Rental expenses 71,430. X 1 Resilient Philanthropy PO Box 40646 Washington DC 20016 Fundraising Consultant 0 0 156000 0 156000 ME Form 990, Schedule G, Part I, Professional Fundraisers: During the period covered by this Form 990, the Organization engaged Resilient Philanthropy to provide fundraising consulting and to perform an economic impact study, respectively. This engaged firm did not solicit contributions on behalf of the Organization, maintain or oversee any fundraising events, or engage or participate in any of the Organization's program services. Rather, the Organization independently utilized the data and insight provided by Resilient Philanthropy to improve the Organization's own activities, programs, and fundraising capabilities and expertise. The services provided by Resilient Philanthropy was valuable and improved the Organization's ability to fundraise, but no gross receipts or donations received by the Organization can be connected to the services provided by these professionals. Accordingly, $0 is reported on this Form 990, Schedule G, Part I, Column iv. 1 Mary Neal Scholarship Fund 1 5000 Gardens Aglow Lighting Contest 4 1400 Part I, Line 2: Each year the Organization hosts its Gardens Aglow exhibit, a winter and holiday-themed light show. The exhibit is a tradition that brings tens of thousands of visitors to the Gardens and greater Boothbay region every year. As part of this program, the Organization also offers small cash prizes to persons in the community who help encourage the Boothbay Holiday Light Shows, and who decorate their property in festive lights in the winter season. If a home or business is located on the Boothbay peninsula in the towns of Edgecomb, Boothbay, East Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor or Southport, and your property is visible from a public roadway, then you are eligible to win. However, employees and family members of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are not eligible to participate in the contest or to win any of the awards. Persons wishing to participate in the contest can submit an application to the Organization online or may mail. The Organization typically selects 3-5 winners for the Contest, who are selected based on popular vote and/or the recommendation of independent judges. Additionally, from time-to-time the Organization may provide small donations or awards to individuals for financial need, scholarship, or other charitable causes. Such awards are subject to the review and oversight of the Organization's management and are generally not a material part of the Organization's overall operations. For any awards or scholarships paid to the Organization's staff specifically, to be eligible for an award, staff members must apply or be nominated. The Organization's Human Resources Director, VP of Guest Experience and Education, VP of Philanthropy and Marketing, Chief of Staff, and the President/CEO then review all applications based on an objective rubric, which utilizes the following criteria regarding any proposed scholarships to to be paid to any employees: - The scholarship's impact on leadership development; - The scholarship's impact on professional; skills development; - The scholarship's relevance to the employee's career with the Organization; and - The scholarship's relevance to the Organization's mission. The Organization also takes into consideration the frequency of any underlying applied-for opportunities, the employee's salary range, and the employee's years of service. To be eligible to win, an applicant employee's manager also needs to endorse the employee as eligible and deserving of the scholarship. Such a decision would be based on the employee's performance and the usefulness of any proposed scholarship towards their role and services within the Organization. X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Gretchen Ostherr President & CEO 253494 0 25000 0 0 0 9973 0 16311 0 304778 0 0 0 Jennifer McKane VP of Philantropy & Marketing 151220 0 0 0 0 0 6385 0 20185 0 177790 0 0 0 Part I, Line 7 The Organization may from time-to-time award bonuses and incentive compensation to employees who meet performance goals and who deliver high quality service. Bonuses and non-fixed payments are made in accordance with the Organization's existing compensation and benefit review procedures. X 1 90000 Gift Date FMV X 200 Gift Date FMV X 29639 Gift Date FMV X 14 212674 Gift Date FMV 0 1 1 Part I, Line 32b: The Organization maintains relationships with various investment advisors and financial professionals who assist the Organization in timely processing, maintenance, and disposal (if any) of donated financial securities. Additionally, the Organization may incorporate donations of tangible property and artwork into its general operations, programs, and facilities, as applicable and as based on the quality and characteristics of the gift received. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b The Form 990 is prepared with the assistance of an independent CPA firm. The CPA firm coordinates with key officers and finance personnel of the Organization to prepare and review a draft of the Form 990 prior to its filing with the IRS. As these individuals consider the drafted Form 990, they are given the opportunity to ask questions and to address any concerns with the tax filing or otherwise, including the ability to meet and discuss the Form 990 with the engaged CPA firm. The Form 990 is filed with the IRS by the engaged CPA firm on behalf of the Organization once all relevant compliance and disclosure requirements are fully and accurately addressed, and only once the CPA firm receives final approval and confirmation by the Organization that all applicable persons have been provided a copy of the Form 990 for consideration prior to its submission. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c The Organization defines an "Interested Persons" as any Director, Officer, or senior staff member of the Corporation who has a direct or indirect financial interest. The Organization requires that, in connection with any actual or possible conflicts of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of his or her financial interest to the Chair or President/CEO, as appropriate, and must be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the Directors and members of committees with Board-delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 The President & CEO's performance is reviewed annually by the Personnel Committee, which then provides a recommendation on annual compensation to the Executive Committee. As part of its review, the Personnel Committee requests that market comparable compensation figures be prepared by the Organization's Director of Human Resources. Additionally, Personnel Committee members researched market comparable compensation data independently of the Organization's Director of Human Resources. Compensation data used in determining the CEO's wages and benefits included similar sized botanical gardens in the US, several New England institutions of higher education, and six other comparable Maine nonprofits. Final compensation for the Executive was based on the President & CEO meeting agreed upon annual goals from the prior year relative to reasonable and comparable data and figures. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 The Organization maintains and makes available to the public upon request copies of its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements. Financial and annual reports are available on the Organization's website at: https://www.mainegardens.org/annual-report/ Form 990, Part XI, line 9: Deferred revenue write-down 33,625. Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c: The audit process has not changed from the previous year.