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Ganna Walska Lotusland

EIN 23-7082550 · Santa Barbara, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE DISTINCTIVE BOTANICAL GARDENS AND ESTATE OF MADAME GANNA WALSKA. LOTUSLAND EDUCATES AND INSPIRES VISITORS WITH ITS COLLECTIONS, SUSTAINABLE HORTICULTURE PRACTICES, AND PLANT CONSERVATION.

Income
$12.0 million
Spending
$6.3 million
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
28.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
56
Volunteers
197
Highest pay
$272,532, chief executive officer

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

Financial health

Good: 83 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.5 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 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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

    22 of 22 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 December 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. $3.6 million spent. GANNA WALSKA LOTUSLAND'S PUBLIC TOURS SHOWCASE PLANT COLLECTIONS ENCOMPASSING OVER 3,800 TAXA, INCLUDING SPECIES FROM MEDITERRANEAN REGIONS AROUND THE WORLD. MANY OF THESE SPECIES ARE RARE, ENDANGERED, AND SOME ARE EXTINCT IN THE WILD. THE COLLECTIONS FEATURE CACTI, SUCCULENTS, CYCADS, PALMS, FERNS, BEGONIAS, AND CONIFERS. OUR SUSTAINABLE HORTICULTURE METHODS ARE FOUNDED ON ORGANIC METHODS AND ARE DESIGNED TO DEMONSTRATE ENVIORNMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND TEACH BEST PRACTICES.
  2. $85,762 spent. JUNIOR BOTANIST PROGRAM OFFERS 4TH GRADE STUDENTS FROM SANTA BARBARA COUNTY IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES WITHIN LOTUSLAND'S 37-ACRE GARDEN CLASSROOM. IN 2025, WE CONTINUED NURTURING THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS OF TOMORROW BY EDUCATING THEM ABOUT BOTANY, HORTICULTURE, AND SUSTAINABLE PLANTS HEALTHCARE PRACTICES. IN 2025, THIS PROGRAM SERVED: - 1,858 K-12 STUDENTS FROM 37 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (SOME SCHOOLS SENT MULTIPLE CLASSES)- 230 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS - 2 PAID STUDENT INTERNS
  3. $14,674 spent. ENHANCING ACCESS AND INCLUSION: NORTH AMERICA'S BOTANIC GARDENS SERVE OVER 132 MILLION PEOPLE ANNUALLY, DEMONSTRATING THEIR IMMENSE VALUE. HOWEVER, SOME VISITORS FIND IT CHALLENGING TO ACCESS OR AFFORD A VISIT TO LOTUSLAND GIVEN THE $60 ADMISSION FOR ADULTS. TO ADDRESS THIS, LOTUSLAND OPERATES THE MUSEUMS FOR ALL PROGRAM, WITH SUBSIDIZED ADMISSIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING FOOD ASSISTANCE (SNAP BENEFITS) BY PRESENTING THEIR EBT CARD AND A PHOTO ID.GRANT FUNDS SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND INTERNS, SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS, AND ADMISSIONS AND ACCESS. THE GARDEN ALSO HOSTS AT A DISCOUNT COMMUNITY ACCESS DAYS, NONPROFIT GROUP TOURS AND EVENTS, AND LEADERSHIP OR STAFF MEETINGS. THESE INITIATIVES REFLECT LOTUSLAND'S COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, ENSURING THAT FINANCIAL BARRIERS DO NOT PREVENT ANYONE FROM EXPERIENCING THE WONDERS OF THE GARDENS. GRANTS ENABLE US TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND TOURS TO LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT NOT OTHERWISE EXPERIENCE LOTUSLAND TO DO SO; ACCREDITED LOCAL MUSEUM OR GARDEN STAFF ARE HOSTED AT NO COST, FOSTERING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COLLABORATION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. WITH PRIVATE SUPPORT, LOTUSLAND OFFERS HALF-PRICE TICKETS ON COMMUNITY ACCESS DAYS. THESE DAYS INCLUDE ADMISSIONS FOR SANTA BARBARA COUNTY VISITORS TO OUR OUTDOOR GARDENS AND COLLECTIONS, FEATURING POP-UP PROGRAMMING THAT ENRICHES THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 October 13, 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 December 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 1993.

    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 October 21, 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.