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Wellfield Botanic Gardens Inc

EIN 20-1642142 · Elkhart, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE OVERLYING PURPOSE OF WELLFIELD BOTANIC GARDENS IS TO TIRELESSLY PROMOTE THE INSEPARABLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WATER, PLANTS AND ANIMALS. THE GARDENS WILL BE A PLACE THAT FOSTERS A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND A SENSE OF STEWARDSHIP FOR THE NATURAL WORLD.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
23 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
27
Volunteers
130
Highest pay
$104,879, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $595,136 spent. THE HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT IS THE BACKBONE OF THE BOTANIC GARDEN, INVOLVED IN VIRTUALLY EVERY ASPECT OF THE GARDEN'S AESTHETIC AND FUNCTION. FROM DESIGNING SPACES TO PLANTING AND MAINTAINING OVER TIME, THIS AREA IS CRITICAL TO BOTH TEMPORARY AND LONG-TERM EXHIBIT SPACES, EVENT AREAS AND ATTRACTIONS.
  2. $174,870 spent. THE GUEST SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR GUEST'S INTERACTION WITH OUR GARDEN, ITS PROGRAMS, AND IN CONCERT WITH HORTICULTURE AND EDUCATION PRODUCES SPECIAL EVENTS THAT SERVE AND FURTHER WELLFIELD'S MISSION. IN 2024, 22,343 GUESTS VISITED WELLFIELD THROUGH STANDARD ADMISSION, 27,980 ATTENDED SPECIAL EVENTS AND 4,257 ATTENDED THROUGH FACILITY UTILIZATION.
  3. $39,208 spent. THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ENVISIONS, CREATES AND FACILITATES ALL ASPECTS OF LEARNING AT THE GARDENS. FROM PRE-K THROUGH LIFELONG LEARNERS, ALL AGES ARE ADDRESSED THROUGH THE GARDENS' MANY EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, INCLUDING GUIDED SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS (1,643 STUDENTS/TEACHERS SERVED IN 2024) CLASSES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (542 PARTICIPANTS IN 2024), FAMILY EDUCATIONAL EVENTS(2,185 PARTICIPANTS IN 2024), AND PRIVATE TOURS (366 SERVED IN 2024).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.

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