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Cylburn Arboretum Friends Inc

EIN 23-7091589 · Baltimore, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY IS TO SUPPORT THE CYLBURN ARBORETUM THROUGH STEWARDSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
18
Volunteers
136
Highest pay
$78,140, executive director

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 53% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 (2)
  1. $466,015 spent. BEAUTIFY & PROTECT CYLBURN-CYLBURN ARBORETUM FRIENDS' GARDENERS AND VOLUNTEERS GIVE SUPPORT TO THE PUBLIC GARDENS OF THE ARBORETUM BY SUPPLEMENTING THE PLANTING AND MAINTENANCE OF BALTIMORE CITY DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS HORTICULTURE DIVISION. MARKET DAY IS THE LONG-STANDING TRADITIONAL PROGRAM THAT SHOWCASES THE TALENTS OF CYLBURN AND CITY GARDENERS AND BRINGS COMMUNITIES OF ALL AGES TOGETHER TO ENJOY AND LEARN FROM EXPERTS IN THE GARDEN.
  2. $322,057 spent. EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH-EDUCATION: ALL PROGRAMS AT CYLBURN HAVE AT THEIR CORE THE GOAL OF EDUCATION IN SOME FORM. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE CONCERNED WITH ISSUES THAT PROVIDE AND ENHANCE BASE KNOWLEDGE IN: ENVIRONMENT, HISTORY, ARTS AND CULTURE, NATURE, RECYCLING, WILDLIFE, PRESERVATION AND CULTIVATION OF TREES, SHRUBS AND PLANTS, RECREATION, AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS.HEALTH & WELLNESS: EXERCISE, MINDFULNESS, RELAXATION AND SEASONAL HEALTHY COOKING ARE PROMOTED THROUGH PROGRAMS AND SUMMER CAMP. THESE PROGRAMS TEACH ALL AGES TO BE COMFORTABLE IN NATURE AND SHOW PEOPLE HOW TO REAP THE BENEFITS OF NATURE FOR PERSONAL AND FAMILY HEALTH. THREE AND A HALF MILES OF HIKING TRAILS WITH PEACEFUL STOPS/BENCHES FROM WHICH TO OBSERVE NATURE MORE CLOSELY.

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 July 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 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.