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West Michigan Horticultural Society Inc

EIN 38-2394044 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE ENJOYMENT, UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF GARDENS, SCULPTURE, THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE ARTS. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY IS TO ALLOW GUESTS TO EXPERIENCE HORTICULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Income
$32.8 million
Spending
$33.4 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
36 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 47%
Employees
404
Volunteers
711
Highest pay
$686,242, president/ceo through feb 2023

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 30 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.

  • 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 September 30, 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 (5)
  1. $18.3 million spent. COLLECTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS: THE FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK (MEIJER GARDENS) PROMOTES THE ENJOYMENT, UNDERSTANDING, AND APPRECIATION OF GARDENS, SCULPTURE, THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE ARTS. FOR 360 DAYS A YEAR, GUESTS EXPERIENCE EXHIBITIONS ON THEIR OWN, THROUGH A GUIDED TOUR, A TRAM RIDE OR WITH A DOWNLOADABLE TOUR. PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS INCLUDE INDOOR DISPLAY GARDENS (TROPICAL CONSERVATORY, ARID GARDEN, VICTORIAN GARDEN, AND CARNIVOROUS PLANTS), ACRES OF OUTDOOR GARDENS AND A WORLD RENOWNED SCULPTURE COLLECTION.TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS GENERALLY INCLUDE UP TO THREE SCULPTURE EXHIBITIONS PER YEAR, THE FRED AND DOROTHY FICHTER BUTTERFLIES ARE BLOOMING (MARCH AND APRIL), THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH -WEST CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY TRADITIONS (THANKSGIVING THROUGH THE NEW YEAR), CHRYSANTHEMUMS & MORE (SEPT/OCT), AND AN EVER-CHANGING SEASONAL DISPLAY. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, ARTISTS PERFORM CONCERTS IN OUR OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER. GUEST COUNT IS APPROXIMATELY 785,251
  2. $5.8 million spent. CULINARY ARTS & EVENTS: THE CULINARY ARTS & EVENTS OF MEIJER GARDENS INCLUDES TASTE OF THE GARDENS CAFE, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO ENJOY SOCIAL OR CORPORATE FUNCTIONS IN ONE OF OUR EVENT SPACES. EVENT GATHERINGS MAY BE ENHANCED WITH OUR ON SITE AUDIOVISUAL SERVICES AND OUR CATERING AND BEVERAGE SERVICE. CONCESSIONS FOOD AND BEVERAGE, DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH CONCERTS IS ALSO A PART OF THE CULINARY ARTS & EVENTS OFFERINGS.
  3. $2.0 million spent. EDUCATION: MEIJER GARDENS OFFERS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS AND PERMANENT DISPLAYS THROUGH INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE, GUIDED TOURS, LOOKING GUIDES, FILMS, DOWNLOADABLE TOURS AND INTERACTION WITH KNOWLEDGEABLE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS INCLUDE CLASSES, CAMPS, WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, SCHOOL TOURS AND PROGRAMS. BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT LEARNING SHOULD BE FUN AND THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE EDUCATION SPARKS CURIOSITY, VIRTUALLY ALL OF OUR EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS ARE INNOVATIVE AND INTERACTIVE. APPROXIMATELY 33,450 CHILDREN INTERACTED WITH OUR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITES.
  4. $489,740 spent. GIFT SHOP: PROVIDES OUR GUESTS, MEMBERS AND DONORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOP FOR UNIQUE GIFTS. OUR GIFT SELECTION STRIVES TO FOCUS ON OUR MISSIONS OF ART, HORTICULTURE AND EDUCATION. THE GIFT SHOP SHIFTED FROM AN INHOUSE PROGRAM TO A THIRD PARTY IN JUNE 2024. WHILE WE OWN THE SPACE, ALL INVENTORY IS OWNED BY, AND STAFF IS EMPLOYED BY AN UNRELATED THIRD PARTY. MEIJER GARDENS IS PAID RENT WHICH IS BASED ON A PERCENTAGE OF SALES EACH MONTH.
  5. $754,695 spent. MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: ALLOWS OUR GUESTS TO PURCHASE A MEMBERSHIP WHICH ALLOWS THEM ANNUAL ACCESS TO OUR ORGANIZATION TO ENJOY ALL OF THE SEASONAL CHANGES THAT OCCUR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WITH THIS ACCESS COMES BENEFITS SUCH AS CERTAIN DISCOUNTS, EDUCATIONAL CLASSES AND CAMPS, INVITATIONS TO EXHIBITION RELATED EVENTS, AND OUR MEMBERSHIPMAGAZINE, SEASONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 2025.

    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 June 1982.

    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.

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.