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Old Westbury Gardens Inc

EIN 11-1902968 · Old Westbury, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To inspire appreciation and knowledge of the early 20th century American country estate.

Income
$5.0 million
Spending
$6.0 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
-3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
91
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$175,944, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $3.1 million spent. Gardens and Westbury House maintenance:OLD WESTBURY GARDENS IS ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING HISTORIC LONG ISLAND ESTATES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND ONE OF THE BEST PRESERVED OF ITS KIND IN AMERICA. PRESERVATION IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY AND IN COORDINATION WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES AND THE HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT, THE GARDENS BUDGETS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS AND THE PROTECTION AND RESTORATION OF THE LANDSCAPE, BUILDINGS AND HARDSCAPE. THE HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT CULTIVATES AND MANAGES MORE THAN 200 ACRES OF FORMAL GARDENS, WOODLANDS, AND LAKES, MAINTAINING THE EXACTING STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PRESERVE THE GARDENS AND CREATE AN EXTRAORDINARY VISITOR EXPERIENCE. THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT PROVIDES MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, AND STENGTHENING OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF OLD WESTBURY GARDENS.
  2. $1.1 million spent. Visitor services:Old Westbury Gardens offers an engaging visitor experience bringing history to life through onsite tours and interpretive programs that provide a rare window into the golden era of the American country house. Visitors are encouraged to freely explore the beautifully groomed gardens and historic Westbury House. In addition, Old Westbury Gardens plans and executes an extensive array of public programs including exhibits, lectures, concerts, holiday events, teas and group tours, secrets of the service wing tours. The Visitor Services Department manages all aspects of public programming, special events, commercial activity, volunteer support and the interpretive programs to ensure a high quality visitor experience.
  3. $313,362 spent. Education and community services:Old Westbury Gardens' Education Program strives to educate the community through a variety of outdoor formal and informal program offerings. Since its inception, tens of thousands of students from over 80 local and out of state school districts use Old Westbury Gardens as an extension of their classrooms through formal, educator-led outdoor programs designed in conjunction with New York State Learning Standards. Over 10,000 Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts have earned merits and learned skills reinforcing a message of local community preservation. Children's and Family Programs such as Bug Safari, Bat Walk, Bird Walks, Stargazers, Summer Camps, Wellness Programs, Photography Workshops and more, highlight diverse environmental topics and themes and make the most of non-profit community partnerships.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.