Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE HARNESS THE POWER OF PLANTS FOR HUMANKIND AND SHARE THE JOY AND BEAUTY OF TROPICAL GARDENING WITH EVERYONE. FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN IS A MUSEUM OF TROPICAL PLANTS WITHIN A WORLD FAMOUS, 83-ACRE DESIGNED LANDSCAPE. IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1936 TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF DR. DAVID FAIRCHILD, THE NATION'S FOREMOST BOTANICAL EXPLORER. THE GARDEN'S FOUNDERS ENVISIONED AN INSTITUTION THAT WOULD FOSTER SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY WHILE INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE BEAUTY AND PLANT DIVERSITY FOUND IN THE TROPICS. TODAY, FAIRCHILD IS THE BEST PLACE IN THE CONTINENTAL USA TO SEE AND STUDY TROPICAL PLANTS. IT IS A CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESOURCE FOR THE NATION AND THE WORLD. FAIRCHILD IS THE LARGEST BOTANICAL INSTITUTION IN THE MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA METROPOLITAN AREA AND AN ATTRACTION FOR VISITORS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD. IT ADVANCES, BRINGS AWARENESS TO, AND ENGAGES THE PUBLIC IN THE FIELD OF BOTANY, WHICH AIMS TO (1) UNDERSTAND PLANTS AND HOW THEY WORK, (2) MAXIMIZE THE VALUE OF P
- Income
- $14.5 million
- Spending
- $15.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 12.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 29%
- Employees
- 110
- Highest pay
- $233,892, deputy direc
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 2536 of 36 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 October 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 (1)
- $13.7 million spent. PLANT INTRODUCTION AND HORTICULTURE- THE SOUTHEASTERN TIP OF THE FLORIDA PENINSULA HAS A TROPICAL MONSOONAL CLIMATE UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN THE USA. WITH YEAR-ROUND WARMTH AND RAINY SUMMERS, FAIRCHILD CAN GROW MANY OF THE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT, BEAUTIFUL, UNUSUAL, AND ENDANGERED TROPICAL PLANTS. THE GARDEN INCLUDES A RAINFOREST, DESERT GARDENS, PONDS AND LAKES, RARE PLANT CONSERVATORIES, A GARDEN FOR NATIVE BUTTERFLIES, A CONSERVATORY FOR EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES, A NATURE TRAIL, AND SPECIAL SECTIONS EXHIBITING PALMS, VINES, AND TROPICAL TREES. SEPARATE FROM ITS MAIN CAMPUS, FAIRCHILD OPERATES A PLANT NURSERY AND A 20-ACRE TROPICAL FRUIT FARM. KEY COLLECTIONS INCLUDE PALMS, CYCADS, TROPICAL FRUIT TREES, AND ORCHIDS. BEGINNING WITH EXPEDITIONS LED BY DR. DAVID FAIRCHILD IN THE 1930S AND 1940S, THE GARDEN'S SCIENTISTS HAVE ACQUIRED NEW SPECIES OF TROPICAL PLANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. THE BEST OF THESE PLANTS EARN A PERMANENT SPOT IN FAIRCHILD'S LIVING COLLECTION AND ARE SHARED WITH LOCAL GARDENERS AND THE BROADER HORTICULTURAL COMMUNITY. TODAY, FAIRCHILD WORKS WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND NATIONS WORLDWIDE TO EXCHANGE SPECIMENS AND BRING NEW PLANTS INTO CULTIVATION. RECENT ACQUISITIONS INCLUDE TROPICAL DESERT PLANTS, FRUIT TREES, AQUATIC PLANTS, AND ORCHIDS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE TROPICS. SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION- FAIRCHILD'S LIVING COLLECTION, HERBARIUM, LIBRARY, AND LABORATORIES SUPPORT A UNIQUE SET OF RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE OF TROPICAL PLANTS AND HELP SAVE RARE PLANTS AND ECOSYSTEMS. A DIVERSE TEAM OF STAFF, STUDENTS, AND VOLUNTEERS COLLABORATE ON FIELD BIOLOGY, MOLECULAR RESEARCH, MICROPROPAGATION, AND BIODIVERSITY STUDIES. FAIRCHILD'S TEAM IS CONSTANTLY TEACHING AND LEARNING FROM VISITORS, MEMBERS, STUDENTS, VOLUNTEERS AND THE COMMUNITY OF SCIENTISTS WORLDWIDE. CURRENT SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS INCLUDE STUDIES OF ORCHID ECOLOGY AND RESTORATION, THE EVOLUTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF PALMS, RESTORATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND CARIBBEAN ECOSYSTEMS, THE EVOLUTION OF PLANTS ON TROPICAL ISLANDS, AND INTERACTIONS AMONG BIRDS, INSECTS, AND TROPICAL PLANTS. FAIRCHILD STANDS OUT AMONG THE WORLD'S BOTANICAL INSTITUTIONS IN ITS HIGH LEVEL OF CITIZEN SCIENCE, HAVING SEVERAL PROJECTS THAT ENGAGE THE BROADER COMMUNITY IN ADDRESSING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS IN PLANT BIOLOGY. FAIRCHILD HAS THREE LARGE CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAMS: (1) CONNECT TO PROTECT, DISTRIBUTING RARE SOUTH FLORIDA NATIVE PLANTS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND SCHOOLS TO INCREASE THE REPRESENTATION OF NATIVE FLORA IN URBAN LANDSCAPES AND STUDY BROADER ECOSYSTEM BENEFITS; (2) MILLION ORCHID PROJECT, WORKING WITH STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND SCIENTISTS, TO STUDY STRATEGIES FOR BRINGING SOUTH FLORIDA'S NATIVE ORCHIDS BACK FROM THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION; AND (3) GROWING BEYOND EARTH, FAIRCHILD'S PARTNERSHIP WITH NASA THAT ENGAGES HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL CLASSROOMS NATIONWIDE IN RESEARCH TO IMPROVE PLANT GROWTH AND FOOD PRODUCTION IN SPACE. EDUCATION: CONTINUING EDUCATION, SCHOOL PROGRAMS, INTERPRETATION & PUBLICATIONS, VOLUNTEER & VISITOR SERVICES PROGRAMS- FAIRCHILD IS THE REGION'S LEADING SOURCE OF BOTANICAL EDUCATION, CONNECTING THE BROADER COMMUNITY WITH THE WORLD OF PLANTS AND RELATED TOPICS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM).THE GARDEN OFFERS A DIVERSITY OF AWARD-WINNING PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-AGE STUDENTS, CREDIT AND NON-CREDIT COURSES FOR UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS. THE AWARD WINNING, INTERDISCIPLINARY, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE COMPETITION, THE FAIRCHILD CHALLENGE, IS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE STUDENTS OF DIVERSE INTERESTS, ABILITIES, TALENTS, AND BACKGROUNDS TO EXPLORE THE WORLD OF PLANTS. REACHING OVER 125,000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY, THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A BENCHMARK FOR EXCEPTIONAL STEM EDUCATION AND FOR EMPOWERING PREK-12TH GRADE STUDENTS TO BECOME THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS AND ADVOCATES FOR PLANTS. THE FAIRCHILD CHALLENGE HAS BECOME A MODEL BEYOND SOUTH FLORIDA, INFLUENCING PROGRAMS NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. FAIRCHILD'S FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS ENGAGE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FROM HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS EACH YEAR. THE PROGRAMS IMMERSE YOUNG PEOPLE IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AS THEY EXPERIENCE THE SCIENCE AND BEAUTY OF FAIRCHILD. DURING 2020, FAIRCHILD BEGAN OFFERING VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS ONLINE TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AS WELL AS SCHOOLS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE NATION AND WORLD. MORE THAN 2,000 PARTICIPANTS ATTEND FAIRCHILD'S CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES EACH YEAR. WITH A PORTFOLIO OF OVER 50 DIFFERENT CLASSES, TOPICS INCLUDE TROPICAL GARDENING, COOKING, ART, AND WELLNESS. SINCE 2014, FAIRCHILD HAS HOSTED BIOTECH @ RICHMOND 9-12, A PUBLIC MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO SPECIALIZE IN BOTANY. THE ONLY PROGRAM OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD, THE SCHOOL USES FAIRCHILD AS A VENUE FOR HANDS-ON LEARNING AND INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. COMMUNITY OUTREACH- FAIRCHILD IS A LEADING REGIONAL CULTURAL INSTITUTION AND FAVORITE VISITOR DESTINATION FOR BOTH TOURISTS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS. EVENTS SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL MANGO FESTIVAL, THE INTERNATIONAL ORCHID FESTIVAL, AND THE INTERNATIONAL CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL INCLUDE A STRONG EDUCATION COMPONENT. ADDITIONALLY, FAIRCHILD HORTICULTURISTS HAVE ONGOING PROJECTS IN PUBLIC SPACES THROUGHOUT MIAMI TO LABEL TROPICAL LANDSCAPE PLANTS. USING SMARTPHONE-ACCESSIBLE QR CODES, THE PLANT LABELS DELIVER PLANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING IMAGES AND VIDEOS, TO THE PUBLIC. INFRASTRUCTURE- A NEW HIGH-TECH WORK SPACE CALLED THE FAIRCHILD INNOVATION STUDIO OPENED WITHIN TWO NEWLY-RENOVATED BUILDINGS. WITH A FULL SUITE OF DIGITAL DESIGN AND FABRICATION EQUIPMENT, THE INNOVATION STUDIO ALLOWS STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CREATE NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR GROWING FOOD PLANTS. WITH A GRANT FROM NASA, THE INNOVATION STUDIO IS COORDINATING A SERIES OF DESIGN COMPETITIONS AIMED AT DESIGNING NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR GROWING PLANTS IN SPACE. PLANT INTRODUCTION AND HORTICULTURE- THE SOUTHEASTERN TIP OF THE FLORIDA PENINSULA H
Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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 October 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 June 1937.
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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