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Arboretum Foundation

EIN 91-0613583 · Seattle, WA

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

THE ARBORETUM FOUNDATION PROMOTES, PROTECTS, AND ENHANCES THE WASHINGTON PARK ARBORETUM FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS BY STRENGTHENING AND BUILDING A DIVERSE AND ENGAGED COMMUNITY OF DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND ADVOCATES.

Income
$7.9 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
18.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
18
Volunteers
550
Highest pay
$155,280, executive director through december

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 94% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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 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. $682,709 spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES ANNUAL FUNDING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS TO SUPPORT ONGOING HORTICULTURAL CARE AND MAINTENANCE TO THE WASHINGTON PARK ARBORETUM. THIS YEAR'S FUNDING PROVIDED FOR 2 FULL-TIME ARBORISTS, THE EQUIVALENT OF 7 FULL-TIME GARDENER POSITIONS, AND A PLANT PROPAGATOR AS WELL AS IMPORTANT SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT.
  2. $364,861 spent. CAPITAL PROJECTS: THE FOUNDATION EXPENDS FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF THE ARBORETUM'S MASTER PLAN, EITHER THROUGH GRANTING FUNDS TO PARTNERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS AND THE CITY OF SEATTLE, OR DIRECTLY TO OUTSIDE VENDORS. CURRENT YEAR PROJECTS INCLUDE JAPANESE GARDEN ISHIGAKI WALL CONSTRUCTION PLANNING AND PACIFIC PATHWAYS DESIGN, AS WELL AS ONGOING RHODODENDRON GLEN MAINTENANCE. PRIOR YEAR WORK INCLUDES WOODLAND MEADOW PLANNING, JAPANESE GARDEN PAVILION IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TSUTAKAWA GATES AT THE ENTRANCE TO AZALEA WAY.
  3. $188,981 spent. EDUCATION: AS PART OF THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION TO STEWARD THE ARBORETUM FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, IT PROVIDES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND FUNDS FOR THE K-12 PROGRAMS RUN BY PARTNERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS. PROGRAMS INCLUDE AN OUTDOOR PRESCHOOL, SUMMER CAMPS, SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS AND TWO DIFFERENT HIGH SCHOOL INTERN PROGRAMS. FUNDS RAISED HELP KEEP PRICES LOW, WITH SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR ALL PROGRAMS.
  4. $1.1 million spent. MORE THAN 550 VOLUNTEERS DONATED APPROXIMATELY 14,600 HOURS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ARBORETUM DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR. THE FOUNDATION HIRES STAFF TO COORDINATE THE VOLUNTEER GARDEN STEWARDS WHO CARE FOR THE GROUNDS, FOCUSED ON THE PACIFIC CONNECTIONS GARDENS AND AZALEA WAY. FOUNDATION STAFF ALSO OVERSEE THE VOLUNTEER-RUN PLANT DONATIONS NURSERY AND GREENHOUSE, WHICH HAVE PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND PLANTS TO THE PUBLIC. FOUNDATION STAFF ALSO COORDINATE A FULL SLATE OF PROGRAMMING AT THE JAPANESE GARDEN, INCLUDING ARTS-FOCUSED FREE FIRST THURSDAYS AND PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN ON FAMILY SATURDAYS.

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 1937.

    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.