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Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation

EIN 23-7081057 · Chaska, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE, PLANT-BASED SCIENTIFIC, AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Income
$24.8 million
Spending
$15.5 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
0
Volunteers
2,168

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    34 of 34 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $13.7 million spent. EXPENSES INCURRED ARE FOR SUPPORTING A COMMUNITY RESOURCE AS A PLACE FOR NATURE-INSPIRED DISPLAYS, PLANT AND TREE COLLECTIONS AND NATURAL AREAS; AND SUSTAINING A CULTURAL ATTRACTION AS A DESTINATION TO EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS. THESE INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT AND ONGOING CARE OF PUBLIC GARDEN DISPLAYS, AND PLANT COLLECTIONS; PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, DEVELOPMENT OF VISITOR EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS AND NATURE-INSPIRED EXHIBITS; LIFE-LONG LEARNING AND CHILDREN'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS; COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND A NATURE-BASED THERAPY PROGRAM THAT OFFERS EDUCATION AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE. IN ADDITION, THE ARBORETUM AND UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ARE ENGAGED IN HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE AND COLD-HARDY PLANT RESEARCH, (CONT. ON PG. 40) PLANT CONSERVATION. THE ARBORETUM CONSISTS OF NEARLY 1,200 ACRES INCLUDING 50 DISPLAY AREAS AND SPECIALTY GARDENS, 39 COLLECTIONS, AND MORE THAN 6,600 TAXA. SPECIAL FEATURES ARE A PINE COLLECTION, AN ORNAMENTAL GRASS COLLECTION, A SPHAGNUM BOG, MAPLE BASSWOOD BIG WOODS, A TALL GRASS PRAIRIE, AND A RESTORED SEDGE MEADOW. THE ARBORETUM IS AN ACCREDITED MUSEUM THROUGH THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS.THE ARBORETUM CONTINUED TO BE A TOP VISITOR ATTRACTION IN THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL METRO AREA. VISITORSHIP WAS AT 652,829 IN FISCAL YEAR 2025. MEMBERSHIP SALES WERE $4.49 MILLION AND 34,101 HOUSEHOLDS AND GROUPS MEMBERSHIPS. VISITOR SHUTTLES OFFER STEP-ON, STEP-OFF ACCESS INTO THE HEART OF THE ARBORETUM. GROUNDS INCLUDE OVER 21 MILES OF PAVED AND UNPAVED WALKWAYS AND TRAILS. WINTER TRAILS FEATURE 8 MILES OF CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRAILS AND 7.5 MILES OF SNOWSHOE TRAILS.APPROXIMATELY 65,365 STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL ALONG WITH TEACHERS AND PARENTS, AND VISITORS OF ALL AGES PARTICIPATED IN HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. ONLINE REMOTE LEARNING AND WEB-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS CONTINUE TO BE VERY POPULAR BRINGING WHAT HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN ON-SITE PROGRAMMING TO NEW AUDIENCES. MOST EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A REDUCED FEE FOR THOSE NEEDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.THE ARBORETUM IS PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE WITH SEVERAL KEY INITIATIVES INCLUDING PLANNING A NEW ENTRY EXPERIENCE AND NEW BETTY'S APPLE HOUSE FACILITY. THE REDESIGNED ENTRY WILL MAKE IT EASIER THAN EVER FOR VISITORS TO ACCESS THE BALM OF NATURE ACROSS THE ARBORETUM'S 1,200 ACRES WITH SAFE STOPLIGHT ACCESS AND BEAUTIFUL NEW VIEWS. THIS PROJECT BREAKS GROUND IN 2025. THE NEW BETTY'S APPLE HOUSE WILL OFFER EXPANDED OFFERINGS WHILE PROVIDING EDUCATION ON THE UNIVERSITY'S COLD HARDY PLANT BREEDING RESEARCH. THIS PROJECT WILL ALSO BREAK GROUND IN 2025. IN ADDITION, ARBORETUM LEADERSHIP WORKED ON A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN, FOR RELEASE IN 2025, TO GUIDE OUR ORGANIZATION'S PRIORITIES, COLLABORATION AND IMPACT MEASUREMENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER CONTINUES ITS INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED COLD-HARDY PLANT RESEARCH AND DISCOVERY, WITH 164 INTRODUCTIONS OF COLD-HARDY FRUIT AND LANDSCAPE PLANTS BENEFITING THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY, HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE AND WORLD TO ENJOY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 February 1971.

    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.