2016-02-25T17:45:33-06:00 2015-06-30 CONDON O'MEARA MCGINTY & DONNELLY L ONE BATTERY PARK PLAZA NEW YORK NY 100041405 990 2014-07-01 112417338 BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN CORPORATION % MARK GASPARINI C/O BBG BROO 7186237208 1000 WASHINGTON AVENUE BROOKLYN NY 112251008 SCOT MEDBURY PRESIDENT 7186237208 2016-02-25 true JAMES J REILLY P00183769 2126617777 2016-02-25 2014 2016-08-17 19:52:53Z SCOT MEDBURY PRESIDENT 1000 WASHINGTON AVENUE BROOKLYN NY 112251008 56890008 false X WWW.BBG.ORG X 1977 NY SEE SCHEDULE O. X 39 39 437 620 0 12218873 22088324 2546628 3074633 557756 23273647 1427958 1562300 16751215 49998904 0 0 0 0 13247855 13960172 205912 135769 2009836 5540999 6670194 18994766 20766135 -2243551 29232769 62850664 93716704 13281752 15955784 49568912 77760920 X SEE SCHEDULE O. false false 4081061 HORTICULTURE: SEE SCHEDULE O 3324297 MAINTENANCE: SEE SCHEDULE O 3031352 479282 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS: SEE SCHEDULE O 5846962 2595351 16283672 true true false false false false false true false true true false false false true true true false false false false false false true true false false false false true false false false false false false false false true false false true false false false false false true 87 0 true 437 true false false false false false true true false false false false X 39 39 false false true false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false NY X X X MARK GASPARINI CO BBG 7186237208 1000 WASHINGTON AVENUE BROOKLYN NY 11225 FREDERICK BLAND CHAIRMAN 5.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 DIANE H STEINBERG VICE CHAIRMAN 5.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH GILE TREASURER 5.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 LLOYD M METZ SECRETARY 5.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 FRANCESCA ANDERSON TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 EARL D WEINER TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 RICHARD W HULBERT TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 TSUTOMU SAWANO KARINO trustee 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 SCOTT FOUSHEE TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 SUSAN LEITNER TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JOHN E OSNATO TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 LUCILLE PLOTZ TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 BEVIN CLINE TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 KATHARINE B DESAI TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DONALD A GOLDSMITH TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 KATHRYN MATTIS TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 SUZANNE T MARQUARD TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL RUIZ TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JEB STUART ARMSTRONG TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DONALD REED TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JENNIFER ROGG EISENSTADT TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MARTHA ADAMS RUBIN TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 LOUISA CLARK SPENCER TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JUDITH STEINHARDT TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ALTHEA L DUERSTEN TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JONATHAN M WELD TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ROBERT W WHITEFORD TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JOHN KIM TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ROBERT SCHIMMENTI TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ELLEN PETERSEN TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL ROSENTHAL TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 LISA DONNESON TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MARTHA MAST WATTS TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JULIE FARRIS TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 EMILY LUNGSTRUM TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 RYAN O'CONNELL TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DANA DIRICKSON TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 PRISCILLA NEWBURY TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 T DENNIS SULLIVAN TRUSTEE 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 lois m carswell former trustee 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 wendy-ann m olivier former trustee 5.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 SCOT MEDBURY PRESIDENT 40.0 0.0 X 256345 0 0 MARK GASPARINI Chief financial officer 40.0 0.0 X 169529 0 0 LESLIE FINDLEN V.P. OF DEVELOPMENT 40.0 0.0 X 184387 0 0 KATHRYN GLASS V.P. OF MARKETING 40.0 0.0 X 141394 0 0 MELANIE SIFTON V.P. OF HORTICULTURE 40.0 0.0 X 137514 0 0 JULIE LANG DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 40.0 0.0 X 123238 0 0 TRACEY FAIRELAND VP OF PLAN, DESIGN & CONST 40.0 0.0 X 126104 0 0 1138511 0 0 9 false true false MICHAEL VAN VALKENBURGH ASSOC 231 CONCORD AVENUE CAMBRIDGE MA 02138 ARCHITECTS 457675 DANILLER COMPANY 1724 JEFFERON STREET SUITE 302 AUSTIN TX 78731 PROF. FUNDRAISER 122232 2 1425801 868514 5999850 13794159 2144526 22088324 ADMISSIONS 900099 2595351 2595351 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 900099 479282 479282 3074633 589127 589127 0 0 1118047 1118047 0 1118047 1118047 4520164 24500000 4533282 1802362 -13118 22697638 22684520 22684520 267499 868514 482269 -214770 -214770 0 261461 73191 188270 188270 SPECIAL FEES - OTHER 900099 470753 470753 470753 49998904 3545386 24365194 0 0 0 0 466077 370319 51306 44452 0 9479235 7540450 1030894 907891 908300 647746 128470 132084 2195908 1746478 308926 140504 910652 765182 76980 68490 0 70662 64513 6149 58638 52638 6000 0 135769 135769 78424 78424 1504684 1103314 199366 202004 156522 127061 28114 1347 566236 338083 29977 198176 0 0 586635 568488 12856 5291 221677 123358 40317 58002 0 0 0 0 1739250 1064550 674657 43 317868 238504 41957 37407 SUPPLIES & MATERIALS 609906 561938 30767 17201 EQUIPMENT 544007 476407 66636 964 REPAIRS 169241 167276 1965 BOOKS & PERIODICALS 46444 43564 841 2039 20766135 16283672 2472627 2009836 3370569 2331266 1428534 7375430 3320408 5314355 1707378 2352767 0 0 0 0 0 0 126083 75421 276040 272347 42468626 20955080 20770445 21513546 29275963 51921777 2575244 2559795 0 0 0 0 0 0 62850664 93716704 3822986 5238279 0 0 830855 595467 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8627911 10122038 13281752 15955784 X 33576020 55950763 11485276 16817990 4507616 4992167 49568912 77760920 62850664 93716704 X 29232769 453366 -1494127 X false true X true false X 21016341 15086389 12173652 12218873 22088324 82583579 0 0 21016341 15086389 12173652 12218873 22088324 82583579 13568943 69014636 1476208 1443954 1558919 1613552 1707174 7799807 0 273885 289191 481755 419061 470753 1934645 92318031 15165179 0.74757 0.81053 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X false 33836802 12373275 21508320 6524920 61193477 31202328 2884330 3547056 3796912 33836802 33160504 3447062 2271130 7676368 31202328 35694855 6219820 -1224393 7529778 33160504 26834748 12354587 2605316 6099796 35694855 0.64359 0.08158 0.27483 false false 32780516 19337626 13442890 2610837 1617454 993383 7077273 7077273 21513546 0 POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS 10122038 10122038 X 50377037 453366 73191 526557 49850480 78424 70000 148424 49998904 22185029 1567318 1567318 20617711 78424 70000 148424 20766135 PART III - LINE 4 THE BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN CORPORATION (THE "GARDEN") MAINTAINS A SET OF 1,280 RARE BOOKS, periodicals, ephemera and manuscripts all on the subject of botany and horticulture. The collection furthers the GARDEN'S exempt purpose as it supports our mission to engage in research in plant sciences to expand human knowledge of plants, and disseminating the results to science professionals and the general public. PART V - LINE 4 THE GARDEN'S ENDOWMENTS CONSIST OF VARIOUS INDIVIDUAL FUNDS ESTABLISHED FOR A VARIETY OF PURPOSES. ITS ENDOWMENT INCLUDES BOTH DONOR-RESTRICTED ENDOWMENT FUNDS AND FUNDS DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. AS REQUIRED BY ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES GENERALLY ACCEPTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NET ASSETS ASSOCIATED WITH ENDOWMENT FUNDS, INCLUDING FUNDS DESIGNATED BY THE GARDEN TO FUNCTION AS ENDOWMENTS, ARE CLASSIFIED AND REPORTED BASED ON THE EXISTENCE OR ABSENCE OF DONOR-IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS. TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED ENDOWMENTS INCLUDE ENDOWMENT FUNDS ESTABLISHED BY DONOR-RESTRICTED GIFTS THAT ARE MAINTAINED TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF INCOME FOR EITHER A SPECIFIC PERIOD OF TIME OR UNTIL A SPECIFIC EVENT OCCURS (SEE SFAS 117 (ASC 958-205-45)), AS WELL AS ALL OTHER TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS HELD IN A DONOR-RESTRICTED ENDOWMENT, INCLUDING UNAPPROPRIATED INCOME FROM PERMANENT ENDOWMENTS THAT IS NOT SUBJECT TO A PERMANENT RESTRICTION. PERMANENT (TRUE) ENDOWMENTS ARE ENDOWMENT FUNDS THAT ARE ESTABLISHED BY DONOR-RESTRICTED GIFTS AND ARE MAINTAINED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOURCE OF INCOME, WITH THE STIPULATION THAT PRINCIPAL MUST BE INVESTED AND KEPT INTACT IN PERPETUITY, WHILE ONLY THE INCOME GENERATED CAN BE USED BY THE ORGANIZATION. BOARD-DESIGNATED ENDOWMENTS, OR QUASI-ENDOWMENTS, ARE ENDOWMENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE ORGANIZATION ITSELF, EITHER FROM UNRESTRICTED DONOR OR ORGANIZATIONAL FUNDS, OVER WHICH THE ORGANIZATION ITSELF IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON THEIR USE, AND WHICH RESTRICTIONS CAN BE TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT IN NATURE. SEE SFAS 117 (ASC 958-205-45) A VERY SMALL PORTION OF OUR PERMANENT ENDOWMENT IS FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHILDREN'S EDUCATION. THE REMAINING BALANCE IS BOARD DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT, WHICH HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FOR OPERATING GROWTH AND SUPPORT. PART X - QUESTION 2 As of June 30, 2015, no amounts have been recognized for uncertain income tax positions. The Garden's tax returns for the 2012 fiscal year and forward are subject to the usual review by the appropriate authorities. PART XI - LINE 2D & 4B 2D. COST OF GOODS SOLD: 73,191; 4B. GROSS UP OF NET SPECIAL EVENT REVENUE: 70,000. PART XII - LINE 2D & 4B 2D. COST OF GOODS SOLD: 73,191; 2D. POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS: 191,681; 2D. EFFECT OF POST-RETIREMENT ADJUSTMENT: 1,302,446; 4B. PROFESSIONAL FUNDRAISING EXPENSE: 70,000; X X X X true DANILLER AND COMPANY DIRECT MAIL SOLICIT. false 3269 INEZ WEINSTEIN SPECIAL EVENT EVENT PLANNING false 955523 70000 885523 MKDM DIRECT MAIL SOLICIT. false 62500 955523 135769 885523 NY gala 955524 868513 87011 352890 PLANT SALE 180489 180489 129379 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1136013 868513 267500 0 0 0 0 0 482269 482269 -214769 X X X X false false false false false false false false false SCOT MEDBURY PRESIDENT 205095 0 51250 0 0 0 0 0 18808 0 275153 0 0 0 LESLIE FINDLEN V.P. OF DEVELOPMENT 153635 0 30752 0 0 0 0 0 7323 0 191710 0 0 0 MARK GASPARINI Chief financial officer 147029 0 22500 0 0 0 0 0 7323 0 176852 0 0 0 X 24 2144526 FAIR MARKET VALUE false false false 109 montgomery street building 2015-06-11 24500000 appraisal 472846780 109 montgomery llc 1110 42nd street brooklyn NY 11219 corp. false false false false part ii - line 1 During January 2015, the Garden entered into an agreement to sell the building located at 109 Montgomery Street, Brooklyn, New York. In June 2015, with the approval of the Board of Directors as well as the New York Attorney General, the Garden sold the building located at 109 montgomery street for a total sales price of $24,500,000. The sale resulted in a net gain of $22,697,638 to the Garden after accounting for the selling expenses including commissions, transfer taxes, legal fees and others totaling $762,494, as well as the remaining $1,039,868 cost basis of the building. This net gain, which has been reflected on the statement of activities, is included in the board designated endowment and operating reserve. PART I - LINE 1 // PART III - LINE 1 THE BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN (THE "GARDEN") IS AN URBAN BOTANIC GARDEN THAT CONNECTS PEOPLE TO THE WORLD OF PLANTS, FOSTERING DELIGHT AND CURIOSITY WHILE INSPIRING AN APPRECIATION AND SENSE OF STEWARDSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENT. IN THE GARDEN, IN ITS COMMUNITY AND WELL BEYOND, THE GARDEN INSPIRES PEOPLE OF ALL AGES THROUGH THE CONSERVATION, DISPLAY, AND ENJOYMENT OF PLANTS; WITH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT EMPHASIZE LEARNING BY DOING; AND WITH RESEARCH FOCUSED ON UNDERSTANDING AND CONSERVING REGIONAL PLANTS AND PLANT COMMUNITIES. PART III - LINE 4A HORTICULTURE: The foundation of the Garden is its world class horticulture collection featuring more than 12,000 plant species and cultivars on 52 acres. the GARDEN protects, preserves and catalogs its living collections for the beauty they offer the public and for their horticultural, scientific, ecological and educational merit. Some of the GARDENs rare and world-class living plant collections include bonsai, orchids, tropical plants, cacti & succulents, warm-temperate region plants, cherries, magnolias, water lilies and native flora collection. Nestled in the heart of one of the densest urban settings in North America, these collections are laid out in iconic landscape display gardens, many of which were the first of their kind, including the historic Japanese Garden, Rock Garden, Fragrance Garden, Rose Garden, and Shakespeare Garden. the GARDENs living collections management includes recording and keeping detailed accession, acquisition and dissemination records aligning with scientific research programs, educational programs, and public interpretation, labels and signage. The Garden welcomes approximately 850,000 visitors annually. PART III - LINE 4B MAINTENANCE: The Facilities Department at the Garden oversees the repair and maintenance of all buildings and outdoor hardscape infrastructure. the GARDENs infrastructure maintenance includes custodial services, fleet & grounds equipment services, irrigation, plumbing, electrical, heating, geothermal, and phone systems. Interdepartmental collaboration and contractor management for new capital and renovation projects is also a significant responsibility of the facilities department, as is support for private functions and public events. PART III - LINE 4C EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS: More than 150,000 children and adults are served through a continuum OF programs aimed to teach people about the science and care of plants, arouse public awareness of the fragility of our natural environment, and help the people of all our diverse urban neighborhoods to enhance the quality of their surroundings and their daily lives through the cultivation and enjoyment of plants. Programs range from supplemental science education in public schools to lectures by international leaders. the GARDEN brings urban residents of all ages into contact with the beauty and health benefits of nature as a vital first step to not only improving the quality of all our lives, but to help inspire current and future generations of environmental stewards. PART III - LINE 4D CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - IN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT GARDEN RENEWAL EFFORT SINCE ITS FOUNDING 105 YEARS AGO, the GARDEN IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED IN A DRAMATIC AND AMBITIOUS EFFORT FOR THE FUTURE. WITH PROJECTS THAT AFFECT VIRTUALLY EVERY PART OF THE GARDEN AND EXTEND BEYOND ITS BORDERS, THESE ENHANCEMENTS WILL HELP THE GARDEN MEET THE RAPIDLY CHANGING NEEDS OF ITS AUDIENCE, FOSTER A LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING OF PLANTS AND THE NATURAL WORLD AND INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS. (EXPENSES $ 1,682,726. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $NONE. REVENUE $NONE) SECURITY - SECURITY INSURES THAT OUR GARDEN AND ITS LIVING COLLECTIONS ARE PROTECTED AND THAT OUR VISITORS' ENVIRONMENT IS SAFE. (EXPENSES $ 1,581,961. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $NONE. REVENUE $NONE) PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS - Combining recreation with horticultural and ecological interpretation and education, the GARDEN produces UP TO five popular public programs each year that highlight the seasons and celebrate the cultural diversity of Brooklyn. The Garden welcomes autumn with Chile Pepper Fiesta, featuring music, dance and food from various cultures, and Ghouls and Gourds, a Halloween-inspired festival with music, costumes, giant puppets and family activities. In the spring, the GARDEN honors the Japanese tradition of Hanami: Celebrating the Cherry Blossom Season which culminates with Sakura Matsuri, the largest cherry blossom festival in the northeast, in April. the GARDEN also enhances the experiences of ITS visitors and patrons through various exhibitions , a comprehensive visitor services program, and through a range of information shared on the bbg.org website. (EXPENSES $ 1,226,312. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $NONE. REVENUE $NONE) MEMBERSHIPS - Membership ENHANCES the GARDEN visitors' experiences by providing special afterhours Garden events, providing additional educational materials and availing them to various Garden and community discounts. (EXPENSES $695,857. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $NONE REVENUE $NONE) DIGITAL/PRINT - The Department of Digital and Print Media creates original, mission-driven media that informs the public about plants, ecology, and horticulture and inspires its support of conservation in general and the GARDEN in particular. Products include the GARDEN Guides to a Greener Planet; editorial services for all of the Garden's interpretation and printed materials; collection and management of photos documenting the Garden's collections; web properties that offer gardening articles, a nature blog, historic image collections, and rich research resources; and web-based technologies and marketing features that build the Garden's brand and drive earned income through membership enrollment, class registration, public programs ticketing, concession sales, and increased Garden visitation. (EXPENSES $503,332. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $NONE. REVENUE $NONE) ADMISSIONS - The Garden is committed to making its exhibitions, programs and services accessible to all who visit. To ensure accessibility, the GARDEN maintains MANY COMPLIMENTARY or reduced admission OPTIONS. Proceeds from admissions provide operating support for the GARDEN. (EXPENSES $230,991. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $NONE. REVENUE $2,595,351) SCIENCE - BBG has an acclaimed publishing program, an outstanding library and herbarium, and has worked together with government, academic and private organizations worldwide to advance conservation efforts through such projects as the New York Metropolitan Flora (NYMF), and the Center for Plant Conservation, for which BBG monitors six wild taxa as part of the National Collection of Endangered Plants. As of August 2013, BBG has placed its botanical field research program on hiatus as several major projects reached completion. Plant science is a fundamental part of Brooklyn Botanic Garden programs, and is the basis of all our horticultural work and extensive education, interpretation, and publications efforts. Several times in its history, the Garden has paused to take a careful look at its research program and realign its focus, and we are now at another such a juncture. We will restore a significant plant research program in the future. Science will remain a priority for BBG and access to core resources such as the herbarium will be maintained during this important planning period. (EXPENSES $44,743. INCLUDING GRANTS OF $NONE. REVENUE $NONE). Part VI, Section A - Line 4 The garden MADE certain amendments TO ITS BY-LAWS during fiscal year 2015 IN ORDER TO comply with THE NEW YORK NON-PROFIT REVITALIZATION ACT. Significant changes included: - Elimination of the concept of special and standing committees; - expanded on formation of committees and defined actions that a committee may not take; - added roles, duties and appointment of the Audit Committee; - specified that no employee of the corporation may serve as Chair; and - added electronic means and teleconferencing to allowable forms of communication. PART VI, SECTION B. - QUESTION 11B THE FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE THEN BROUGHT TO THE FULL BOARD PRIOR TO FILING. PART VI, SECTION B. - QUESTION 12C conflict of interest statements are required to be signed by all officers, trustees and key employees annually, or if conflict arises. Any conflict that arises is brought in front of the audit committee for resolution. PART VI, SECTION B. - QUESTIONS 15A & 15B COMPENSATION IS ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE USAGE OF AN INDEPENDENT COMPENSATION CONSULTANT, COMPENSATION SURVEYS/STUDIES OF COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS, AND APPROVED BY A BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. PART VI, SECTION C. - QUESTION 19 THE GARDEN CURRENTLY PROVIDES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. The GARDEN posts its audited financial statements and approved IRS form 990 on its website. PART XI - LINE 9 EFFECT OF POST-RETIREMENT ADJUSTMENT: -1,302,446. POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS: -191,681.