2014-03-26T07:26:44-05:00 2013-06-30 BKD LLP 14241 DALLAS PARKWAY SUITE 1100 DALLAS TX 75254 990 2012-07-01 205946552 REAL SCHOOL GARDENS % JEFF CROSS REAL 8173488102 1700 UNIVERSITY DRIVE 260 Suite FORT WORTH TX 76107 JEANNE MCCARTY 5013721040 2014-03-05 true 9727028262 2012 2015-11-30 17:44:51Z JEANNE MCCARTY 1700 UNIVERSITY DRIVE 260 FORT WORTH TX 76107 1402278 false X WWW.REALSCHOOLGARDENS.ORG X 2007 TX WE CREATE LEARNING GARDENS THAT GROW SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS. 8 7 13 1840 0 0 1692892 1339673 68359 41253 -10838 -14897 3296 1882 1753709 1367911 0 0 0 0 714140 821956 4017 0 199737 522978 527650 1241135 1349606 512574 18305 1072393 1101673 31756 42731 1040637 1058942 X WE CREATE LEARNING GARDENS THAT GROW SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS. REAL SCHOOL GARDENS PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITIES TO BUILD LEARNING GARDENS IN LOW-INCOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND ESTABLISH AN OUTDOOR CURRICULUM THAT PRODUCES PROVEN ACADEMIC AND HEALTH BENEFITS. REAL SCHOOL GARDENS BEGAN WITHIN THE DALLAS AND FORT WORTH, TX SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND NOW HAS GARDENS IN 88 SCHOOLS, TRAINS 2,700 TEACHERS, AND ENSURES THAT MORE THAN 49,000 STUDENTS ARE RECEIVING OUTDOOR LEARNING TIME AND ROBUST HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION TO HELP THEM SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY AND PERSONALLY. false false 208348 2703 SCHOOL GARDEN INSTALLATION AND SUPPORT - SEE SCHEDULE O FOR FURTHER DETAILS 411251 38550 EDUCATOR TRAINING AND RESOURCES - SEE SCHEDULE O FOR FURTHER DETAILS 419871 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - SEE SCHEDULE O FOR FURTHER DETAILS 1039470 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 19 0 13 true false false false false false false false false false false X 8 7 false false false false false false false true false false false true true true true true true true true false X JEFF CROSS 8173488102 1700 UNIVERSITY DRIVE 260 FORT WORTH TX 76107 JEANNE MCCARTY 40.0 X X 121943 0 4664 FRED THOMPSON 5.0 X X 0 0 0 DELAINE EASTIN 2.0 X X 0 0 0 ROBERT MENZI 2.0 X X 0 0 0 KELLY GARRETT 2.0 X X 0 0 0 KAREN DIELMAN 2.0 X 0 0 0 CAROLINA M MATA-TOVAR 2.0 X 0 0 0 JULIE NEIMAT 2.0 X 0 0 0 JEFF CROSS 40.0 X 77142 0 7864 199085 0 12528 1 false false false 0 1339673 12619 1339673 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICES 900099 38550 38550 GARDEN PROJECTS PROGRAM FEES 900099 2703 2703 41253 2286 0 0 2286 0 0 0 0 0 17184 34367 -17183 -17183 0 0 -17183 0 0 0 OTHER REVENUE 900099 1882 1882 1882 1882 1882 1367911 41253 0 -13015 0 0 0 0 237285 144918 56677 35690 0 479357 371360 107997 14065 10451 88 3526 48832 31393 6387 11052 42417 32921 391 9105 0 0 0 0 0 0 124817 97696 20755 6366 0 32362 22342 5081 4939 0 0 85596 63309 11655 10632 27360 22063 1620 3677 0 0 0 0 26611 21225 1225 4161 5939 1932 4007 0 GARDEN MATERIALS 167058 167058 EDUCATION PROGRAMMING/TRAINING 48314 48314 COMMUNITY OUTREACH 9127 4225 2438 2464 . 466 263 75 128 1349606 1039470 110399 199737 200455 74899 456326 738577 300500 223217 21205 2000 0 0 0 0 0 0 349 0 11229 8295 281707 227022 82329 54685 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1072393 1101673 31756 42731 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 31756 42731 X 650637 820704 390000 238238 0 0 1040637 1058942 1072393 1101673 18305 X false true X true false X 1209077 1087934 1198804 1692892 1339673 6528380 0 0 1209077 1087934 1198804 1692892 1339673 6528380 4092554 2435826 55571 46992 31846 2936 2286 139631 0 803 348 18600 2796 1882 24429 6692440 148272 0.36397 0.24142 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 238819 207125 31694 42888 19897 22991 54685 1407594 22500 22500 1385094 -17183 -17183 1367911 1389289 22500 17183 39683 1349606 1349606 EXPENSE INCLUDED IN EXPENSES PER AUDIT, INCLUDED IN REVENUE PER RETURN FORM 990, SCHEDULE D, PART XI, LINE 4B LOSS ON SALE OF FIXED ASSETS -$17,183 EXPENSE INCLUDED IN EXPENSES PER AUDIT, INCLUDED IN REVENUE PER RETURN FORM 990, SCHEDULE D, PART XII, LINE 2D LOSS ON SALE OF FIXED ASSETS $17,183 AUTHORITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF GOVERNING BODY FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 8B THERE ARE NO COMMITTEES WITH AUTHORITY TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNING BODY. REVIEW OF FORM 990 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 IS INITIALLY REVIEWED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATION AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE DOCUMENT IS REFINED, IF NECESSARY, AND THEN PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS - FINANCE CHAIR FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT. THE DOCUMENT IS REFINED, IF NECESSARY, AND THEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT. THE FORM 990 IS THEN FINALIZED AND SUBMITTED TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ALL NEW EMPLOYEES ARE BRIEFED ABOUT THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AS PART OF AN ORIENTATION ABOUT STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT FOR THE ORGANIZATION. THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS REVIEWED WITH ALL EMPLOYEES AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EACH JUNE, AS THE ORGANIZATION PREPARES TO KICK-OFF A NEW FISCAL YEAR. AT THIS TIME, EACH DIRECTOR, OFFICER, AND EMPLOYEE IS ASKED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IN WRITING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE POLICY. IN ADDITION, EACH DIRECTOR, OFFICER AND EMPLOYEE IS ASKED TO COMPLETE A DISCLOSURE FORM THAT IDENTIFIES ANY RELATIONSHIPS, POSITIONS, OR CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MIGHT REPRESENT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS SERVES AS THE COMPLIANCE OFFICER FOR THE ORGANIZATION, INVESTIGATING ANY REPORTED VIOLATIONS TO THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. FINDINGS ARE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ARE DETERMINED. REVIEW OF COMPENSATION FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A & 15B THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, LED BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, ESTABLISHES COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS AT REAL SCHOOL GARDENS. A COMPENSATION SURVEY OR STUDY IS USED DURING THIS PROCESS (I.E., PHILANTHROPY ROUNDTABLE'S COMPENSATION REPORT) TO DETERMINE A MARKET RANGE, AS IN BENCHMARKING WITH SELECT NON-PROFITS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH AN OUTDOOR LEARNING MISSION FOCUS. COMPENSATION IS FINALIZED WITHIN THE MARKET RATE RANGE BASED ON EXPERIENCE, EARNINGS HISTORY, AND RESULTS THE SELECTED CANDIDATE DEMONSTRATED IN RECENT ROLES. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS ESTABLISHES COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES IN THE ORGANIZATION, BASED ON MARKET RATE RANGE, EXPERIENCE, EARNINGS HISTORY, AND RESULTS DEMONSTRATED BY THE CANDIDATE. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRESENTS EMPLOYEE PROMOTION AND COMPENSATION RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR APPROVAL. AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL POLICY ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE PROVIDED EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR VIA US MAIL, BASED ON THE PREFERENCE OF THE REQUESTOR. OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE AUDIT AND SELECTION OF THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT. THIS PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. PROGRAM SERVICE DESCRIPTIONS FORM 990, PART III - PROGRAM SERVICE, LINES 4A-4C PROGRAM OVERVIEW WE CREATE LEARNING GARDENS THAT GROW SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS. REAL SCHOOL GARDENS PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITIES TO BUILD LEARNING GARDENS IN LOW-INCOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND ESTABLISH AN OUTDOOR CURRICULUM THAT PRODUCES PROVEN ACADEMIC AND HEALTH BENEFITS. REAL SCHOOL GARDENS BEGAN WITHIN THE DALLAS AND FORT WORTH, TX SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND NOW HAS GARDENS IN 88 SCHOOLS, TRAINS 2,700 TEACHERS, AND ENSURES THAT MORE THAN 49,000 STUDENTS ARE RECEIVING OUTDOOR LEARNING TIME AND ROBUST HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION TO HELP THEM SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY AND PERSONALLY. COMMUNITY DESIGN REAL SCHOOL GARDEN DESIGN EXPERTS WORK WITH SCHOOL STAFF, PARENTS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, OUR CORPORATE FUNDING PARTNERS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE KIDS THEMSELVES TO DESIGN A LEARNING GARDEN THAT'S FUNCTIONAL, BEAUTIFUL, AND TAILORED TO EACH SCHOOL'S SPECIFIC NEEDS. CHILDREN DESIGN THEIR DREAM GARDENS BY MEASURING OUT THE SPACE, PLOTTING THEIR DESIGNS OUT TO SCALE ON GRAPH PAPER, OR EVEN MAKING 3D MODELS. AFTER THE CHILDREN VOTE ON THEIR FAVORITES, OUR GARDEN EXPERT WORKS WITH ALL OUR PROJECT PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT EACH GARDEN IS UNIQUELY TAILORED TO THE TEACHERS' NEEDS. BY INVOLVING EVERYONE WHO WILL BE USING AND CARING FOR THE GARDEN EARLY ON, THIS INCLUSIVE DESIGN PROCESS GENERATES A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP AND PRIDE. EVERYONE INVOLVED HAS A STAKE IN THE SUCCESS OF THE GARDEN, AND BECOMES INVESTED IN ITS USE, CARE AND MAINTENANCE. A THOUSAND PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN OUR DESIGN PROCESS THIS YEAR! THE BIG DIG! AFTER OUR PARTNER SCHOOLS HAVE DESIGNED THEIR LEARNING GARDENS, IT'S TIME TO BUILD THEM DURING OUR BIG DIG! ON THE DAY OF THE BIG DIG, BETWEEN 200-300 VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING FUNDING PARTNERS, KIDS, THEIR PARENTS AND TEACHERS GET TO WORK, INSTALLING THE LEARNING GARDEN IN JUST ONE DAY. OUR BIG DIGS PROVIDE A TURNKEY DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS, AND REAL SCHOOL GARDENS TAKES CARE OF ALL THE PREPARATIONS, LAYING OUT THE PLANS AND MATERIALS AND PROVIDING THE EXPERTISE TO ENSURE THE BIG DIG GOES SMOOTHLY AND THE GARDEN IS BUILT TO LAST FOR YEARS TO COME. IN ADDITION TO PLANTING VEGETABLES AND PERENNIALS, TEAMS INSTALL SHADE STRUCTURES, SEATING AREAS, PATHWAYS, AND RAIN COLLECTION SYSTEMS. VOLUNTEERS OF EVERY AGE CONTRIBUTE VALUABLE WORK ON TEAM PROJECTS, TRANSFORMING A WASTED SPACE INTO A BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN A SINGLE DAY. NOT ONLY IS THE BIG DIG A FULFILLING DAY OF VOLUNTEERISM, BUT THE LEARNING GARDENS CREATED PRODUCE REAL LONG-TERM RESULTS FOR LOW-INCOME SCHOOLS. REAL SCHOOL GARDENS HELD BIG DIGS IN SEVEN SCHOOLS LAST YEAR, WITH ALMOST 2,000 PLANTING HUNDREDS OF VEGETABLES, HERBS, PERENNIALS, AND TREES, AND BRINGING IN MORE THAN 120 YARDS OF SOIL, AND ALMOST 200 SEATING BOULDERS. OUR VOLUNTEERS CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS, ONE BOULDER AT A TIME. TEACHER TRAINING OUR ACCREDITED THREE YEAR TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM PROVIDES CONTINUING EDUCATION TO TEACHERS IN OUR ON-SITE, HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATION SESSIONS IN A STANDARDS-BASED CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO ENGAGE STUDENTS IN SCIENCE, MATH, READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS. BEFORE THE GARDEN IS INSTALLED, TEACHERS RECEIVE LESSON PLANS ALIGNED WITH ACADEMIC STANDARDS, SO THEY'RE READY TO START USING THE GARDEN ON DAY ONE. REAL SCHOOL GARDENS THEN SENDS OUR CERTIFIED TEACHER-TRAINERS OUT TO THE SCHOOLS TO DEMONSTRATE LESSONS LINKED TO THEIR CORE CURRICULUM. 90% OF TEACHERS SAY THAT REAL SCHOOL GARDEN TRAININGS ARE DIRECTLY ALIGNED WITH CURRENT ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND OUR LESSONS ARE EASY TO IMPLEMENT WITH STUDENTS. SCHOOLS THAT ALREADY HAVE A LEARNING GARDEN MAY ALSO BENEFIT FROM OUR CURRICULUM AND OUR PROVEN TEACHER TRAINING SERVICES. REAL SCHOOL GARDENS TRAINED ALMOST 700 TEACHERS THIS YEAR. IN ADDITION TO OUR ON-SITE LESSON DEMONSTRATIONS, WE ALSO HELD 17 OFF-SITE TRAINING SESSIONS FOR TEACHERS FROM MULTIPLE SCHOOLS. LEARNING GARDEN USEAGE LIKE ALL GOOD EDUCATORS, WE KNOW THAT ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL FOR SUCCESS, SO WE CAREFULLY TRACK HOW MANY TEACHERS AND STUDENTS USE THE GARDENS WE HELP CREATE. OUR MOST RECENT GROUP OF SCHOOLS IN THE REAL SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAM SAW 58% OF THEIR TEACHERS USING THE GARDENS TO TEACH. AND 97% OF OUR GARDENS ARE WELL-USED AND WELL-MAINTAINED. IN FACT, GARDENS THAT HAVE BEEN IN OUR NETWORK FOR 10 YEARS ARE STILL GROWING STRONG. EVERGREEN SUPPORT REAL SCHOOL GARDENS PRODUCES LIFE-LONG LEARNING RESULTS BECAUSE WE INVEST HEAVILY IN LONG-TERM LEARNING GARDEN SUPPORT AND TEACHER TRAINING. EACH OF OUR 88 SCHOOLS WITH A REAL SCHOOL GARDEN ELECTS ONE "GARDEN COORDINATOR" AS THE SCHOOL'S POINT PERSON AND LEADER OF THE OUTDOOR LEARNING PROGRAM. AND AFTER ALL THE OTHER TEACHERS FINISH OUR RIGOROUS THREE-YEAR TRAINING PROGRAM, IT'S THE GARDEN COORDINATOR'S JOB TO ENSURE THE GARDEN IS IN TIP-TOP SHAPE, IS WELL-USED, AND CONTINUES TO THRIVE. THEY RECEIVE NEW PLANTS AND GARDEN SUPPLIES, PARTICIPATE IN CONTINUING EDUCATION SESSIONS, MEET WITH EXPERTS AND MENTORS, CONNECT WITH A NETWORK OF PEERS, APPLY FOR GARDEN ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS AND HOST CORPORATE VOLUNTEERS. REAL SCHOOL GARDENS EVEN HOSTS SEVERAL CELEBRATIONS EVERY YEAR TO HONOR ALL OUR DEDICATED PARTNERS. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING IN ADDITION TO BUILDING LEARNING GARDENS AND TRAINING TEACHERS, WE ALSO OFFER OUR PARTNERS SEVERAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS TO FURTHER ENRICH STUDENTS' LEARNING EXPERIENCE. THESE INCLUDE: SCHOOLYARD HARVEST -- ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PLANT AND GROW VEGETABLES AND HERBS, THEN PROFESSIONAL CHEFS SHOW KIDS HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING FOR A BIG COMMUNITY DINNER. THIS SEED TO TABLE PROCESS CONNECTS CHILDREN TO THE FOOD THEY EAT, ENCOURAGING THEM TO COOK THEIR OWN MEALS AND EVEN GROW THEIR OWN NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS FOOD. CHILDREN WHO NEVER DREAMED OF EATING TURNIPS, GREEN BEANS, AND LETTUCE TAKE PRIDE IN PREPARING THEIR VEGGIES FOR A FUN COMMUNITY DINNER. SMART POTATOES - REAL SCHOOL GARDENS PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLS AND THE BOTANICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS TO HAVE CHILDREN SPEND 100 DAYS GROWING POTATOES TO DONATE TO LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES. THIRTY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED THIS YEAR, AND REAL SCHOOL GARDENS EQUIPPED TEACHERS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF LESSON PLANS SPECIFIC TO POTATOES. IN THE END, ALMOST 3,000 KIDS GREW 621 POUNDS OF SPUDS TO DONATE, AND IN ADDITION TO THEIR ACADEMIC LESSONS, THEY LEARNED THAT FEELS GREAT TO GIVE TO THOSE IN NEED. REAL SCHOOL GARDENS, REAL RESULTS AT REAL SCHOOL GARDENS, OUR VISION IS TO ENRICH EVERY CHILD'S EDUCATION THROUGH LEARNING GARDENS. TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE BUILD LEARNING GARDENS IN LOW-INCOME SCHOOLS AND TRAIN TEACHERS HOW TO USE THEM SO THAT STUDENTS BECOME SMARTER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE. SMARTER AFTER GIVING CHILDREN HANDS-ON OUTDOOR LESSONS IN SCIENCE, MATH AND LANGUAGE ARTS, REAL SCHOOL GARDENS TEACHERS HAVE SEEN A MARKED INCREASE IN STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, A KEY INDICATOR IN LONG-TERM ACADEMIC SUCCESS. STUDIES SHOW THAT REAL SCHOOL GARDENS INCREASE STUDENT TEST SCORES, A PRIORITY FOR LOW-INCOME SCHOOLS. CHILD-EDUCATION EXPERTS HAVE DESIGNED OUR CURRICULUM TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE STUDENTS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR LESSONS MORE FULLY. OUTDOOR LEARNING SPARKS CHILDREN'S NATURAL CURIOSITY, BRINGING BACK THE JOY OF DISCOVERY THEY CRAVE. HEALTHIER IN ADDITION TO THE ACADEMIC BENEFITS OF LEARNING OUTDOORS, REAL SCHOOL GARDENS ALLOW CHILDREN TO GROW THEIR OWN PRODUCE. STUDIES SHOW THAT CHILDREN WHO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD ARE MORE LIKELY TO EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, SHOW HIGHER LEVELS OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT NUTRITION AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO CONTINUE HEALTHY EATING HABITS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. AND SIMPLY SPENDING TIME OUTSIDE WORKING IN THE GARDEN INCREASES STUDENTS' VITAMIN D LEVELS, REDUCES SYMPTOMS OF ADD AND ADHD, REDUCES STRESS, AND IMPROVES STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS. ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE EVERY REAL SCHOOL GARDEN IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE SCHOOL'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BY COLLECTING RAINWATER, PREVENTING RUNOFF AND EROSION, CREATING COMPOST AND SUPPORTING NATIVE PLANTS AND WILDLIFE. IN ADDITION TO IMPACT OF EACH PROJECT, EVERY REAL SCHOOL GARDEN STUDENT WILL BE IMMERSED IN AN ENGAGING CURRICULUM THAT PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FOR YEARS TO COME. CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME SCHOOLS OFTEN HAVE LITTLE ACCESS TO A GREEN ENVIRONMENT, AND KNOW LITTLE ABOUT THEIR ROLE IN KEEPING THEIR ENVIRONMENT GREEN AND HEALTHY. THEIR REAL SCHOOL GARDEN GIVES THEM A SENSE OF THEIR PLACE IN THE WORLD, AND A SENSE OF PRIDE IN TAKING CARE OF IT.