The Dawes Arboretum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported a significant diversion of its assets during the year.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE DAWES ARBORETUM IS DEDICATED TO ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH THE CONSERVATION OF TREES, NATURE AND HISTORY. THIS INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO SHARING THE LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE OF TREES, NATURE AND HISTORY THROUGH EXHIBITS, PROGRAMMING EVENTS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
- Income
- $6.4 million
- Spending
- $7.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 75%
- Employees
- 106
- Volunteers
- 351
- Highest pay
- $194,738, coo (term. 12/13)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (2)
- $5.4 million spent. THE DAWES ARBORETUM SCIENCE & CONSERVATION AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENTS MANAGE 2,000 ACRES OF CONTIGUOUS LAND IN LICKING COUNTY, OHIO WHICH IS EXPLORED BY OVER 96,423 VISITORS ANNUALLY. IN ADDITION TO 4 MILES OF AUTO TOUR TRIALS, THE ARBORETUM HAS OVER 14 MILES OF WALKING TRIALS THAT GUIDE VISITORS THROUGH SPECIALTY GARDENS, MEADOWS, WETLANDS, AND WOODLANDS. THE 2024-2025 SCIENCE & CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT MANAGES ALL THE ARBORETUM'S NATURAL AREAS, MAINTAINS EXTENSIVE PLANT RECORDS, CURATES A DIVERSE COLLECTION OF PLANTS AND PLANT MATERIALS, AND CONDUCTS EXTENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH. NEARLY 4,700 MEMBERS AND 346 VOLUNTEERS (INCLUDING TRAINED LAND STEWARDS) SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ARBORETUM ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.
- $508,167 spent. THE DAWES ARBORETUM'S LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT (L&E) INSTRUCTS AND ENGAGES DAILY WITH NEARLY 4,700 MEMBERS, 96,423 VISITORS AND THE EXTENDED COMMUNITY. L&E OFFERS NATURE EDUCATION AND EXPLORATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN THROUGH SELF-GUIDED INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE ON GROUNDS AS WELL AS PROFESSIONALLY LED PROGRAMMING AND CURRICULA FOCUSED ON STEM AND THE PROMOTION OF OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING.ANNUALLY, CAMP DAWES WELCOME OVER 3,516 SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN (5-14) FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS TO SAFELY OBSERVE AND EXPLORE NATURE/ STRUCTURED AND SELF-GUIDED CURRICULA ENGAGES CHILDREN IN A VARIETY OF ECO-SYSTEMS, CREATES OUTDOOR-INSPIRED CRAFTS WITH FRIENDS AND CULTIVATES A LIFELONG SENSE OF CURIOSITY AND ADVENTURE AS IT RELATED TO OUR NATURAL WORLD.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.