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Mckee Botanical Garden Inc

EIN 65-1189895 · Vero Beach, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN, INC. ("MCKEE") IS A FLORIDA NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION FORMED IN 2003 TO RESTORE AND OPERATE MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN, A PUBLIC BOTANICAL GARDEN IN VERO BEACH, FLORIDA. IT DERIVES VIRTUALLY ALL OF ITS REVENUES FROM PUBLIC SUPPORT, EITHER THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS AND GRANTS OR FROM PROGRAM SERVICES FEES. IN RECOGNITION OF THE MANY FUNCTIONS MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN SERVES IN ITS COMMUNITY AND BEYOND, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS DEVELOPED A MULTIFACETED MISSION STATEMENT TO GUIDE ITS FUTURE. THE MISSION OF MCKEE IS "TO NURTURE AND ENHANCE A HISTORIC GARDEN IN A UNIQUE TROPICAL SETTING FOR THE EDUCATION, ENJOYMENT AND ENRICHMENT OF ALL." MCKEE'S EXOTIC AND NATIVE COLLECTIONS ARE CAREFULLY CULTIVATED TO INTEREST VISITORS WITH THE POSSIBILITIES OF LANDSCAPING IN A TROPICAL ZONE. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON PLANTS THAT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INTERACTION, SUCH AS THE BUTTERFLY-ATTRACTING VINES THAT WIND THROUGH THE ENTRANCE PERGOLA.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 40%
Employees
47
Volunteers
83
Highest pay
$154,992, executive director

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 (1)
  1. $2.5 million spent. MCKEE BOTANICAL GARDEN IS CONSTANTLY DEVELOPING NEW PROGRAMS TO BENEFIT ITS VISITOR EXPERIENCE. ONE OF THE GARDEN'S MOST SUCCESSFUL VENTURES HAS BEEN THE CONTINUATION OF BRINGING TRAVELING EXHIBITS TO MCKEE. IN ADDITION TO OUR EXHIBITIONS, MCKEE CONTINUES TO HOST REGULAR EDUCATIONAL CLASSES, RANGING FROM HOW TO MOUNT AN ORCHID TO COOKING WITH SEASONAL FOODS. THE GARDEN MAKES EVERY EFFORT TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY ON A REGULAR BASIS BY ESTABLISHING TRADITIONS THAT ARE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED YEAR AFTER YEAR, INCLUDING FAVORITES SUCH AS HOLIDAYS AT MCKEE, NIGHTS OF LIGHTS, ANNUAL MOTOR CAR EXHIBITION, FAIRY AND PIRATE FESTIVAL AND THE WATERLILY CELEBRATION.EFFORTS ARE MADE TO ENGAGE AREA SCHOOLS AND OTHER SPECIAL GROUPS WITH AN ANNUAL DISCOUNT DAY; SCHOLARSHIPS TO CAMP MCKEE; FIELD TRIPS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN; SEASONAL DISCOUNTS AND SPECIAL PASSES FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE PRICE OF ADMISSION. MOTORIZED SCOOTERS, WHEELCHAIRS AND WHEELCHAIR-FRIENDLY PATHWAYS MAKE THE GARDEN ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE FOR EVERYONE. EACH YEAR, MCKEE HOSTS A COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAY AND ALL VISITORS PAY JUST ONE DOLLAR TO ENJOY THE GARDEN FOR THE DAY.

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 August 2003.

    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.