2026-02-03T09:07:17-06:00 2025-03-31 010494526 Baker Newman & Noyes PO Box 507 Portland ME 04112 990 2024-04-01 010476545 Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Inc COAS 2076334333 PO Box 234 Boothbay ME 04537 Gretchen Ostherr President & CEO 2076334333 2026-01-31 1 0 Connor Smart P02285543 2078792100 2026-01-31 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Gretchen Ostherr PO Box 234 Boothbay ME 04537 30414862 0 X https://www.mainegardens.org/ X 1992 ME To inspire connections among people and nature through horticulture, education, and research. 17 17 170 208 0 0 5641720 19802022 5119394 6084449 702767 796535 1325913 1897113 12789794 28580119 6400 5750 0 0 6107482 7149409 158000 146040 1568546 4754192 5379987 11026074 12681186 1763720 15898933 66543912 82313639 12793367 12263778 53750545 70049861 The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Inc. is to inspire meaningful connections among people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science. 0 0 6570320 5750 7951761 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 331,442 visitors to the Boothbay region during this tax year. 6570320 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 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 59 0 1 170 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 1 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 Abra Lee Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Todd Leland Director (start 1/2025) 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 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 Paula Swetland Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Mary Neal Chair 7.00 X X 0 0 0 Mark Osborn Chair Elect 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Paul Goodof Treasurer 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Ann Poole Secretary 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Gretchen Ostherr President & CEO 50.00 X 284495 0 42816 Jennifer McKane VP of Philantropy & Marketing 40.00 X 157292 0 30658 Amy Root Senior Philanthropy Advisor 40.00 X 130350 0 35481 Daniel Ungier VP of Guest Experience and Education 40.00 X 113478 0 37099 Melissa Cullina VP of Plants and Science 40.00 X 102128 0 5196 787743 0 151250 5 0 1 0 Reed Hilderbrand LLC 130 Bishop Allen Drive Cambridge MA 02139 Landscape architect 259244 Russell Philanthropies PO Box 1919 Winter Park FL 32790 Fundraising consultant 144000 2 134116 19667906 5774457 19802022 Admissions revenue 713990 5011711 5011711 Membership dues 713990 924393 924393 Educational programs 611600 148345 148345 6084449 767893 767893 39384 33168 6216 6216 6216 250204 2400 219796 4166 30408 -1766 28642 28642 3444925 1577613 1867312 1867312 Insurance claims 900099 23585 23585 23585 28580119 7951761 0 826336 250 250 5500 5500 327311 192706 90084 44521 5510826 3244527 1516715 749584 133185 78413 36656 18116 755820 444993 208020 102807 422267 248612 116218 57437 35963 35963 28238 28238 146040 146040 66330 66330 329126 101275 227851 54446 44020 10426 1014603 623469 264617 126517 47124 14703 27915 4506 930709 210289 703667 16753 186264 69736 79568 36960 162011 71862 66442 23707 272259 272259 1948851 1012240 695013 241598 96338 96338 Printing/publications 164121 164121 Payment in lieu of tax 38500 38500 Provision for bad debts 4282 4282 Collections/research 822 822 12681186 6570320 4542320 1568546 12515781 15367873 8458035 12216152 827304 732482 94937 211717 57581515 16489509 38043435 41092006 6317 11896100 118348 6598103 678961 66543912 82313639 705285 934374 408591 411970 2934347 1939657 8745144 8977777 12793367 12263778 X 35082671 38258489 18667874 31791372 53750545 70049861 66543912 82313639 X 15898933 398377 2006 X X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 4275847 16233499 12577558 5641720 19802022 58530646 4275847 16233499 12577558 5641720 19802022 58530646 19573333 38957313 178887 139329 448318 767959 774109 2308602 23585 23585 60862833 30064385 0.64010 0.65440 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10, Explanation of Other Income: Insurance claims - 2024 Amount: $ 23,585. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 591231 X 0 5946271 5796843 543878 250205 12036787 5494211 74669 597991 220600 5946271 5775975 235654 -253058 264360 5494211 4906154 519982 474359 124520 5775975 3765629 52959 1261396 173830 4906154 0.62120 0.25210 0.12670 1 0 2310706 2310706 28093238 5775009 22318229 18216738 8210967 10005771 5316451 2503533 2812918 3644382 3644382 41092006 Program related investment loan payable 8859390 Finance lease liability 118387 8977777 X 28978116 398377 65950 464327 28513789 66330 66330 28580119 12678800 63944 63944 12614856 66330 66330 12681186 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 endowment funds are deemed to be held in perpetuity with income restricted. Income from the endowment is 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 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 33,168. Revenue netted with expenses 30,776. Various tax refund deposits 2,006. Part XII, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Rental expenses 33,168. Revenue netted with expenses 30,776. X X X X X 1 Russell Philanthropies PO Box 1919 Winter Park FL 32790 Fundraising Consultant 0 0 144000 0 144000 ME Form 990, Schedule G, Part I, Professional Fundraisers: During the period covered by this Form 990, the Organization engaged Russell Philanthropies 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 Russell Philanthropies to improve the Organization's own activities, programs, and fundraising capabilities and expertise. The services provided by Russell Philanthropies was valuable and improved the Organization's ability to fundraise, and was partially responsible for the Organization's large increase in donation revenues compared to its previous tax year. However, as no gross receipts or donations received by the Organization can be directly connected to the services provided by these professionals, $0 has been reported on this Form 990, Schedule G, Part I, Column iv. 1 Mary Neal Scholarship Fund 1 5000 Scholarships for High School Students 1 500 Part I, Line 2: 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 269495 0 15000 0 0 0 11438 0 31378 0 327311 0 0 0 Jennifer McKane VP of Philantropy & Marketing 124792 0 32500 0 0 0 6657 0 24001 0 187950 0 0 0 Amy Root Senior Philanthropy Advisor 112800 0 17550 0 0 0 5805 0 29676 0 165831 0 0 0 Daniel Ungier VP of Guest Experience and Education 113478 0 0 0 0 0 5196 0 31903 0 150577 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 23973 Gift Date FMV X 17 5750484 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: Various tax refund deposits 2,006. Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c: The audit process has not changed from the previous year.