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Brookgreen Gardens

EIN 57-0380356 · Pawleys Isl, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BROOKGREEN GARDENS WAS FORMED IN 1931 TO COLLECT, PRESERVE AND EXHIBIT AMERICAN SCULPTURE, AND THE FLORA AND FAUNA NATIVE TO SOUTH CAROLINA.

Income
$18.5 million
Spending
$12.8 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
51.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 40%
Employees
187
Volunteers
433
Highest pay
$353,308, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 51.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 25

    23 of 24 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 June 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 (4)
  1. $2.8 million spent. EXHIBITION AND PRESERVATION OF FIGURATIVE AMERICAN SCULPTURE CURRENTLY CONTAINING OVER 1100 WORKS SPANNING THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF AMERICAN SCULPTURE -- FROM THE EARLY 1800S TO THE PRESENT.
  2. $2.3 million spent. HORTICULTURE - THE FLORAL JEWEL OF SC IS A DIVERSE MIX OF FORESTED SWAMPS, SALT MARSHES AND FRESH TIDAL SWAMPS. THE 9,200 ACRE PROPERTY CONTINUES TO PRESERVE ITS NATURAL HERITAGE AND DEVELOP GARDENS TO SHOWCASE SCULPTURES.
  3. $3.1 million spent. PUBLIC OPERATIONS: SUPPORTS THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION BY OFFERING DAILY GUEST SERVICES THAT ENHANCE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND ACCESS TO THE GARDENS. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES ADDITIONAL LOGISTICAL AND OPERATIONAL ASSISTANCE DURING SPECIAL EVENTS TO ENSURE A SAFE, ENJOYABLE, AND INFORMATIVE VISITOR EXPERIENCE.
  4. $2.2 million spent. BROOKGREEN GARDENS IS COMMITTED TO SHARING ITS RESOURCES WITH STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND VISITORS TO THE GARDENS. ART, NATURE, & HISTORY COMBINE TO PROVIDE STUDENTS AND VISITORS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO VIEW PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN THEIR NATIVE SETTINGS AND TO LEARN ABOUT BROOKGREEN'S RICH PLANTATION HISTORY

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 November 6, 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 June 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 April 1936.

    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 November 4, 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.