Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MISSION - WE CONNECT PEOPLE TO PLANTS BY INSPIRING COMMUNITIES TO EXPLORE AND CONSERVE NATURE.OUR COMMITMENTS - ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCY, COLLABORATION AND GATHERING, SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYOUR VISION - WE ARE A VIRGINIA GARDEN OF INTERNATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE LEADING IN HORTICULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE. WE CULTIVATE EXPERIENCES THAT ENHANCE EACH PERSON'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATURAL WORLD.
- Income
- $13.5 million
- Spending
- $10.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 7.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 56%
- Employees
- 192
- Volunteers
- 625
- Highest pay
- $236,269, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2530 of 30 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
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 (5)
- $3.8 million spent. HORTICULTURE - THE HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEART OF THE GARDEN'S MISSIONS OF DISPLAY, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. PERMANENT COLLECTIONS ARE INTEGRATED INTO VARIED GARDEN SETTINGS IN 35-INTENSELY CULTIVATED ACRES (ON AN 82-ACRE PROPERTY), SOME THEMED (E.G., ASIAN VALLEY, COCHRANE ROSE GARDEN.) YEAR-ROUND DISPLAY IN THE CONSERVATORY AND ANNUAL SEASONAL DISPLAYS IN THE OUTDOOR GARDEN ARE INTERPRETED THROUGH LABELS, SIGNS AND THE PRESENCE OF HORTICULTURISTS AND GARDENERS ABLE TO ANSWER GUEST QUESTIONS WHILE THEY GO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF DESIGNING, PLANTING, PRUNING, TRIMMING, IRRIGATING AND WEEDING. GLOBAL HORTICULTURE, REGIONAL BEST PRACTICES, WATER MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY ARE MANIFESTED IN THE DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VARIOUS GARDENS. THE DEPARTMENT MANAGES A LARGE VOLUNTEER CADRE IN THE WORK OF THE GARDEN, PARTICULARLY IN THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN GARDEN, WHICH PROVIDES FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FREE OF CHARGE TO FEEDMORE, THE LOCAL FEEDING PROGRAM, AND TO GROW PLANTS FOR OUR OWN VOLUNTEER PLANT SALE. THE DEPARTMENT ASSISTS VISITORS WITH BOTANICAL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PROVIDES INPUT TO THE COMPUTERIZED DATA BASE OF THE PLANT COLLECTIONS, PLANS AND ORGANIZES FUTURE COLLECTIONS, ASSISTS IN THE PLANT SELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF PLANTINGS AT SELECTED COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION SITES, ACTIVELY MAINTAINS PLANT COLLECTIONS AT A FUTURE SATELLITE SITE AND LEADS IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GARDEN'S LARGEST SEASONAL EVENTS.
- $2.0 million spent. EDUCATION AND EXHIBITIONS - THE EDUCATION AND EXHIBITIONS DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND COORDINATING A DIVERSE ARRAY OF MULTI-GENERATIONAL EXHIBITS, EVENTS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, GUEST RESOURCES, AND COMMUNITY ALLIANCES THAT ENCOURAGE LIFE-LONG LEARNING ABOUT THE PLANT WORLD. PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO ENGAGE VISITORS OF ALL AGES, FROM TODDLERS TO SENIORS, IN ACTIVE LEARNING, WHERE FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE AND OBSERVATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD HELP TO BUILD KNOWLEDGE, EXPAND AWARENESS AND ENCOURAGE ATTITUDES OF STEWARDSHIP. THE VARIED PROGRAMS INCLUDE ADULT CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES, GUIDED TOURS, YEAR-ROUND PRE-SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GUIDED PROGRAMS, SELF-GUIDED "SCAVENGER" HUNTS, INFORMAL GARDENING EXPERIENCES, NATURAL HISTORY ENCOUNTERS, FESTIVALS, PERFORMING ARTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. INITIATIVES INCLUDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAMS AS WEHORTICULTURE - THE HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEART OF THE GARDEN'S MISSIONS OF DISPLAY, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. PERMANENT COLLECTIONS ARE INTEGRATED INTO VARIED GARDEN SETTINGS IN 35-INTENSELY CULTIVATED ACRES (ON AN 82-ACRE PROPERTY), SOME THEMED (E.G., ASIAN VALLEY, COCHRANE ROSE GARDEN.) YEAR-ROUND DISPLAY IN THE CONSERVATORY AND ANNUAL SEASONAL DISPLAYS IN THE OUTDOOR GARDEN ARE INTERPRETED THROUGH LABELS, SIGNS AND THE PRESENCE OF HORTICULTURISTS AND GARDENERS ABLE TO ANSWER GUEST QUESTIONS WHILE THEY GO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF DESIGNING, PLANTING, PRUNING, TRIMMING, IRRIGATING AND WEEDING. GLOBAL HORTICULTURE, REGIONAL BEST PRACTICES, WATER MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY ARE MANIFESTED IN THE DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE OF THE VARIOUS GARDENS. THE DEPARTMENT MANAGES A LARGE VOLUNTEER CADRE IN THE WORK OF THE GARDEN, PARTICULARLY IN THE COMMUNITY KITCHEN GARDEN, WHICH PROVIDES FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FREE OF CHARGE TO FEEDMORE, THE LOCAL FEEDING PROGRAM, AND TO GROW PLANTS FOR OUR OWN VOLUNTEER PLANT SALE. THE DEPARTMENT ASSISTS VISITORS WITH BOTANICAL QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PROVIDES INPUT TO THE COMPUTERIZED DATA BASE OF THE PLANT COLLECTIONS, PLANS AND ORGANIZES FUTURE COLLECTIONS, ASSISTS IN THE PLANT SELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF PLANTINGS AT SELECTED COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION SITES, ACTIVELY MAINTAINS PLANT COLLECTIONS AT A FUTURE SATELLITE SITE AND LEADS IN THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GARDEN'S LARGEST SEASONAL EVENTS (M&T BUTTERFLIES LIVE AND DOMINION ENERGY GARDENFEST OF LIGHTS). AS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS, TEACHERS, AND MEMBERS OF THE GREEN INDUSTRY. THE GARDEN SERVES AS A CONVENER AND COMMUNICATION LINK FOR COMMUNITY GREENING AND BEAUTIFICATION CONVERSATIONS ACROSS THE METROPOLITAN AREA. GUEST RESOURCES INCLUDE THE LORA M. ROBINS LIBRARY, CONTAINING OVER 7,000 ITEMS, SEVERAL DATABASES ON PLANT AND SEED SOURCES, PLANT INFORMATION, AND THE GARDEN'S PLANT COLLECTION, AND THE HORT HELPLINE - VOLUNTEERS WHO RESEARCH AND ANSWER PUBLIC INQUIRIES ABOUT PLANTS. OTHER GUEST RESOURCES INCLUDE CHANGING ART EXHIBITS ON BOTANICAL SUBJECTS AND THE BRIGHT SPOTS PROGRAM THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE SEASONAL "MUST-SEE" PLANTS IN THE GARDEN. COMMUNITY ALLIANCES INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT UNIVERSITY RELATIONSHIPS AND INTENTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH MULTIPLE ALLIED PLANT SOCIETIES, GARDEN CLUBS, AND GREEN INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS. THE GARDEN ALSO HOUSES THE HERBARIUM VIRGINICUM, THE JOINT COLLECTION OF PRESERVED PLANT SPECIMENS AMASSED BY VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY AND THE GARDEN.
- $1.8 million spent. GUEST SERVICES - THE UMBRELLA OF GUEST SERVICES ENCOMPASSES DEPARTMENTS DIRECTLY DEALING WITH THE GUEST EXPERIENCE AND AMENITIES (VISITOR SERVICES, MEMBERSHIP, GARDEN SHOP, FACILITY RENTAL, FOOD SERVICES, SPECIAL EVENTS) AND THOSE DEPARTMENTS THAT SUPPORT THOSE DEPARTMENTS (OPERATIONS, SECURITY, IT, FACILITIES MAINTENANCE). ADMISSIONS DESK, TELEPHONE RECEPTION, FACILITY RENTAL AND CATERING, THE GARDEN SHOP, THE GARDEN CAFE AND THE ROBINS TEA HOUSE RESTAURANT ARE ENFOLDED IN GUEST EXPERIENCE ACTIVITIES AND AMENITIES. STAFF MEMBERS IN THESE AREAS WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE QUALITY OF THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE. WHETHER LEARNING, REFLECTING, WANDERING, DANCING, MEETING, SHOPPING OR DINING, ALL GUESTS AND MEMBERS ARE WELCOMED AND SERVED IN ORDER TO ENSURE THEIR SATISFACTION FROM ARRIVAL TO DEPARTURE. BY ENRICHING THE EXPERIENCE OF WALK-IN VISITORS, SPECIAL EVENTS (E.G., FLOWERS AFTER FIVE) PARTICIPANTS, GROUP TOUR PARTICIPANTS, YOGA STUDENTS, WEDDING GUESTS AND GARDEN MEMBERS. GUEST SERVICES ENCOURAGE REPEAT VISITATION, A GROWING APPRECIATION OF THE NATURAL WORLD, AND THE OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME EVER MORE INVOLVED WITH THE GARDEN OR COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS AS A STUDENT, VOLUNTEER OR DONOR. ALL THIS ACTIVITY IS SUPPORTED BY THE "BACK OF THE HOUSE" FUNCTIONS OF OPERATIONS, FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND SECURITY DEPARTMENTS. COLLECTIVELY THESE DEPARTMENTS TEND TO THE CARE, CLEANLINESS, UPKEEP, MAINTENANCE AND SECURITY OF ALL THE GARDENS'S GROUNDS, BUILDINGS, EQUIPMENT AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURE, AS WELL AS GUEST, VOLUNTEER AND STAFF SAFETY AND SECURITY.
- $720,453 spent. PUBLIC RELATIONS - PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING WORK TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE GARDEN AND ITS OFFERINGS TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE GARDEN, INCREASE VISITATION AND PROMOTE FINANCIAL STABILITY. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDE SOCIAL MEDIA, MEDIA RELATIONS, ADVERTISING, PUBLICATIONS, WEBSITE. EFFORTS ARE EVALUATED TO MEASURE RESULTS. THE DEPARTMENT STRIVES TO BUILD THE LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN BRAND THROUGH ALL COMMUNICATION AND CONCENTRATES EFFORTS ON PUBLICITY OR "FREE" EXPOSURE FOR THE GARDEN. BY SUPPORTING ALL AREAS OF THE GARDEN, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MARKETING WORK TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VISIT, TO ENGAGE THEM IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GARDEN AND TO TRANSFORM THEM INTO ACTIVE STEWARDS OF THE WORLD'S RESOURCES.
- ADVANCEMENT - THE ADVANCEMENT DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DONOR RELATIONS AND FUNDRAISING, TO INCLUDE ANNUAL FUND SOLICITATIONS, CORPORATE AND PRIVATE SPONSORSHIPS, GRANT WRITING AND SUBMISSION, PLANNED GIVING, MAJOR GIFTS FOR BOTH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND ENDOWMENT GROWTH, AND THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT, SPLENDOR UNDER GLASS. THE GOAL OF THE DEPARTMENT IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE GARDEN'S HORTICULTURAL AND EDUCATION MISSION BY ENCOURAGING, FACILITATING, CULTIVATING AND STEWARDING DONORS. AMONG MANY ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT BEQUESTS AS WELL AS ONGOING GIFTS TO GARDEN EXPANSION. DUE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF GARDEN ENDEAVORS SUCH AS CHILDREN'S GARDEN EDUCATION, ADVANCEMENT HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN RAISING SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY THROUGH GRANTS AND GIFTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 November 6, 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 March 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 December 1984.
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 November 4, 2026.
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