NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Chicago Horticultural Society
1000 lake cook road glencoe, illinois 60022
Board of Directors
chicagobotanic.org
Officers and Executive Staff as of 12/31/2019
Jennifer Schwarz Ballard, Ph.D., Vice President, Learning & Engagement
Jean M. Franczyk, President & Chief Executive Officer
Aida Z. Giglio, Vice President, Human Resources
Fred Spicer, Executive Vice President and Director
Gregory M. Mueller, Ph.D., Chief Scientist and Negaunee Vice President of Science
Thomas J. Nissly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Harriet Resnick, Vice President, Visitor Experience and Business Development
James F. Boudreau, Executive Vice President, External Affairs 2019 Life Directors
Dana Anderson
M. James Leider
Marilynn B. Alsdorf*
Russell F. Bartmes
Benjamin F. Lenhardt, Jr.
J. Melfort Campbell
Martha D. Boudos
Anne Leventry
Barbara Whitney Carr
Terrence R. Brady
Diane vS. Levy
Gary P. Coughlan
Jennifer K. Brown˚
Laura M. Linger
Peter R. Crane
Neville F. Bryan
Anne S. Loucks
When we first wrote this letter, we simply wanted to thank you for
New reach
delivering one of the most successful years ever at the Chicago
Our new holiday light show, Lightscape, sold out. More than 175,000
Botanic Garden in 2019—and then the world changed. The new
people attended—20 percent of whom were first-time visitors to the
coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak became a worldwide pandemic.
Garden. Lightscape, and other programs such as the pollinator-
We temporarily closed our beloved Garden, based on the recom-
focused Bees & Beyond, helped propel attendance to a record
mendations of federal, state, and county officials. All classes,
1.275 million visitors, up 22 percent from 2018.
programs, and events were canceled. What has not changed is our commitment to inspire and touch lives
You helped us achieve record levels of earned and raised revenues,
Suzanne S. Dixon
through the natural world. A growing body of research shows that
and Annual Fund contributions. Facing substantial cuts in government funding, we doubled down on our strategic imperative to
Michael J. McMurray
Thomas A. Donahoe
Michael J. Busch
Christopher Merrill
Peter B. Foreman
We will emerge from this crisis stronger and more relevant than ever
diversify and grow revenue, and to become more widely known and
Heidi B. Capozzi
William E. Moeller
Ralph F. Fujimoto
to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
appreciated.
David R. Casper
Gregory A. Moerschel
James J. Glasser
Robin Colburn
Lois L. Morrison
Caryn L. Harris
As we write this letter, the scent of witch hazel lingers in the Sensory
Thank you to our loyal staff, boards, volunteers, members, visitors,
Jill M. Delaney
Henry Munez
Pamela K. Hull
Garden, and thousands of sunny ‘Yellow Mammoth’ crocuses
and donors, and to our partner, the Forest Preserves of Cook
James W. DeYoung
Jennifer J. Neighbours˚
Thomas B. Hunter III
Timothy A. Dugan
Craig Niemann
Posy L. Krehbiel
bloom in the grassy meadow of Evening Island. We send a message
County. You help us improve lives, communities, and our planet.
Peter M. Ellis
Jane S. Park
William H. Kurtis
Jean M. Franczyk˚
Katie Parks˚
Donna La Pietra
Dorothy H. Gardner
George A. Peinado
Daniel I. H. Linzer
Steven J. Gavin
Toni Preckwinkle˚
Josephine P. Louis
Arthur J. Gibson
Bob Probst
Mary L. McCormack
Nancy Gidwitz
Arnold Randall˚
Jeanine McNally
Christopher E. Girgenti
achievements of 2019. Here’s a quick recap of what we accomplished together:
New momentum
Mary B. Richardson-Lowry
William A. Osborn
We completed the ten-year “Keep Growing” capital and endowment
John C. Robak
Homi B. Patel
campaign. The campaign, which modernized and improved the
John K. Greene*
James Robinson
Susan L. Regenstein
Garden, raised $140 million, including $44.9 million in endowment.
Charles V. Greener
Ryan S. Ruskin
Anne O. Scott
Joseph P. Gromacki
Darren Serrao
David Byron Smith
Gillian Growdon
Robert E. Shaw
Susan K. Stone
William J. Hagenah
Andrew Sinclair
Richard L. Thomas
Jonathan S. Holloway
Thomas E. Skilling
Howard J. Trienens
John L. Howard
Maria Smithburg
Ernest P. Waud III
the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the
Jane Irwin
Harrison I. Steans*
Arthur M. Wood, Jr.
world’s most-cited and comprehensive scientific journals, and on
Gregory K. Jones
Pam F. Szokol
green plant evolution in the prestigious journal Nature.
Jennifer M. Kasten
Kimberly Vender Moffat˚
˚ex officio *deceased
Peter Keehn
Catherine M. Waddell
R. Henry Kleeman
Andrew J. Warzecha Melvin F. Williams, Jr.
Nancy Kurz˚
Nicole S. Williams
Thomas E. Lanctot
Michael R. Zimmerman
chicagobotanic.org/annual_report
of hope for the future, as well as gratitude for the extraordinary
Ellis M. Goodman
Susan A. Willetts
To find complete donor list and view our Annual Report online, please visit
Throughout 2019, we pushed ourselves hard, and you responded.
John H. Buehler
Judith H. Konen˚
PERMIT NO. 1568
Annual Report | 2019
A message from the Chairman of the Board and the President & CEO
people live happier, healthier lives when they spend time in nature.
Angela Korompilas
NORTHBROOK, IL
One of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Robert F. Finke Chair
2019 Board of Directors
US POSTAGE PAID
New impact The Garden achieved widespread recognition for its conservation science work. Our scientists published research on prairie plants in
Jean M. Franczyk, President & CEO, and Robert F. Finke, Chairman of the Board
We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life.
The Farm on Ogden, the project of the Garden and Lawndale Christian Health Center, continues to thrive, supporting and sustaining a healthy urban community. The multiuse facility, in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, won a Distinguished Building award from the American Institute of Architects Chicago in 2019.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Chicago Horticultural Society
1000 lake cook road glencoe, illinois 60022
Board of Directors
chicagobotanic.org
Officers and Executive Staff as of 12/31/2019
Jennifer Schwarz Ballard, Ph.D., Vice President, Learning & Engagement
Jean M. Franczyk, President & Chief Executive Officer
Aida Z. Giglio, Vice President, Human Resources
Fred Spicer, Executive Vice President and Director
Gregory M. Mueller, Ph.D., Chief Scientist and Negaunee Vice President of Science
Thomas J. Nissly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Harriet Resnick, Vice President, Visitor Experience and Business Development
James F. Boudreau, Executive Vice President, External Affairs 2019 Life Directors
Dana Anderson
M. James Leider
Marilynn B. Alsdorf*
Russell F. Bartmes
Benjamin F. Lenhardt, Jr.
J. Melfort Campbell
Martha D. Boudos
Anne Leventry
Barbara Whitney Carr
Terrence R. Brady
Diane vS. Levy
Gary P. Coughlan
Jennifer K. Brown˚
Laura M. Linger
Peter R. Crane
Neville F. Bryan
Anne S. Loucks
When we first wrote this letter, we simply wanted to thank you for
New reach
delivering one of the most successful years ever at the Chicago
Our new holiday light show, Lightscape, sold out. More than 175,000
Botanic Garden in 2019—and then the world changed. The new
people attended—20 percent of whom were first-time visitors to the
coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak became a worldwide pandemic.
Garden. Lightscape, and other programs such as the pollinator-
We temporarily closed our beloved Garden, based on the recom-
focused Bees & Beyond, helped propel attendance to a record
mendations of federal, state, and county officials. All classes,
1.275 million visitors, up 22 percent from 2018.
programs, and events were canceled. What has not changed is our commitment to inspire and touch lives
You helped us achieve record levels of earned and raised revenues,
Suzanne S. Dixon
through the natural world. A growing body of research shows that
and Annual Fund contributions. Facing substantial cuts in government funding, we doubled down on our strategic imperative to
Michael J. McMurray
Thomas A. Donahoe
Michael J. Busch
Christopher Merrill
Peter B. Foreman
We will emerge from this crisis stronger and more relevant than ever
diversify and grow revenue, and to become more widely known and
Heidi B. Capozzi
William E. Moeller
Ralph F. Fujimoto
to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
appreciated.
David R. Casper
Gregory A. Moerschel
James J. Glasser
Robin Colburn
Lois L. Morrison
Caryn L. Harris
As we write this letter, the scent of witch hazel lingers in the Sensory
Thank you to our loyal staff, boards, volunteers, members, visitors,
Jill M. Delaney
Henry Munez
Pamela K. Hull
Garden, and thousands of sunny ‘Yellow Mammoth’ crocuses
and donors, and to our partner, the Forest Preserves of Cook
James W. DeYoung
Jennifer J. Neighbours˚
Thomas B. Hunter III
Timothy A. Dugan
Craig Niemann
Posy L. Krehbiel
bloom in the grassy meadow of Evening Island. We send a message
County. You help us improve lives, communities, and our planet.
Peter M. Ellis
Jane S. Park
William H. Kurtis
Jean M. Franczyk˚
Katie Parks˚
Donna La Pietra
Dorothy H. Gardner
George A. Peinado
Daniel I. H. Linzer
Steven J. Gavin
Toni Preckwinkle˚
Josephine P. Louis
Arthur J. Gibson
Bob Probst
Mary L. McCormack
Nancy Gidwitz
Arnold Randall˚
Jeanine McNally
Christopher E. Girgenti
achievements of 2019. Here’s a quick recap of what we accomplished together:
New momentum
Mary B. Richardson-Lowry
William A. Osborn
We completed the ten-year “Keep Growing” capital and endowment
John C. Robak
Homi B. Patel
campaign. The campaign, which modernized and improved the
John K. Greene*
James Robinson
Susan L. Regenstein
Garden, raised $140 million, including $44.9 million in endowment.
Charles V. Greener
Ryan S. Ruskin
Anne O. Scott
Joseph P. Gromacki
Darren Serrao
David Byron Smith
Gillian Growdon
Robert E. Shaw
Susan K. Stone
William J. Hagenah
Andrew Sinclair
Richard L. Thomas
Jonathan S. Holloway
Thomas E. Skilling
Howard J. Trienens
John L. Howard
Maria Smithburg
Ernest P. Waud III
the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the
Jane Irwin
Harrison I. Steans*
Arthur M. Wood, Jr.
world’s most-cited and comprehensive scientific journals, and on
Gregory K. Jones
Pam F. Szokol
green plant evolution in the prestigious journal Nature.
Jennifer M. Kasten
Kimberly Vender Moffat˚
˚ex officio *deceased
Peter Keehn
Catherine M. Waddell
R. Henry Kleeman
Andrew J. Warzecha Melvin F. Williams, Jr.
Nancy Kurz˚
Nicole S. Williams
Thomas E. Lanctot
Michael R. Zimmerman
chicagobotanic.org/annual_report
of hope for the future, as well as gratitude for the extraordinary
Ellis M. Goodman
Susan A. Willetts
To find complete donor list and view our Annual Report online, please visit
Throughout 2019, we pushed ourselves hard, and you responded.
John H. Buehler
Judith H. Konen˚
PERMIT NO. 1568
Annual Report | 2019
A message from the Chairman of the Board and the President & CEO
people live happier, healthier lives when they spend time in nature.
Angela Korompilas
NORTHBROOK, IL
One of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Robert F. Finke Chair
2019 Board of Directors
US POSTAGE PAID
New impact The Garden achieved widespread recognition for its conservation science work. Our scientists published research on prairie plants in
Jean M. Franczyk, President & CEO, and Robert F. Finke, Chairman of the Board
We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life.
The Farm on Ogden, the project of the Garden and Lawndale Christian Health Center, continues to thrive, supporting and sustaining a healthy urban community. The multiuse facility, in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, won a Distinguished Building award from the American Institute of Architects Chicago in 2019.
2,000
free VeggieRx boxes distributed to food-insecure patients through Windy City Harvest
the life cycles and timing of plants, and Plants of Concern, which monitors rare plants.
TOTAL
Major private grants received in 2019 will allow technology improvements to help data collection and more for volunteers for Budburst, which tracks
29,000
The Garden’s Science Career Continuum program received a prestigious presidential award of excel-
Total liabilities
$130.8 94.2
Total net assets
$225.0
TOTAL
Windy City Harvest, the Garden’s urban agriculture
program, now runs 16 farms in the Chicago area. It
$41.6 million
nership for food, jobs, and health with Lawndale
provides free, doctor-prescribed boxes of vegeta-
983,000
ALLOCATION OF LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 5%
bulbs planted
bles to qualified participants, along with nutrition training.
•
Negaunee Institute named
Year-round destination success
In 2010, we kicked off the “Keep Growing” campaign with an ambitious goal: $125 million. By the end of 2019, we had
The new name of the Garden’s science program, the
This is the year we underscored our success as a
raised $140 million, including $44.9 million in endowment to support staff positions and programs. Major projects included
Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and
year-round destination. Lightscape, the after-dark,
the following:
Action, reflects our standing as a leader in plant conserva-
illuminated trail, sold out in its 2019 debut and was
tion science. The major gift from the Negaunee Foundation
the holiday season’s hottest ticket. Bees & Beyond
supports scientist and staff positions, our joint graduate
filled the summer with pollinators and the work we do
program in plant biology and conservation with North-
to protect them. Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, a
• North Lake Shoreline Restoration Project
western University, and future collaborative research with
Halloween favorite, added five nights—and still sold
• Garden View Café renovation
other peer organizations such as the Field Museum.
out. And In the Tropics was our most popular Orchid
• Regenstein Learning Campus and its components • Kris Jarantoski Campus production greenhouses and nursery
• North Branch Trail extension
Show ever.
Forest Preserves ecologists in plant identification. We also shared more than 30 pounds of diverse, wild-collected seeds from the Garden’s McDonald
1.275
•
VISITOR PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS 20%
•
•
$39.6 million
MEMBERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT 9%
species at Forest Preserves sites.
COMMUNICATIONS 7%
11.4
million
page views on the Garden’s website
SPONSORSHIPS 2% RESTRICTED PROGRAM GIFTS 6%
•
ADMINISTRATION 14%
ect, Plants of Concern, we help monitor 58 rare
GOVERNMENT GRANTS 8%
Operating budget expenditures
visitors
Woods. And through our rare plant monitoring proj-
CONTRIBUTIONS 17%
•
FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY 22%
Woods for use at the Forest Preserves’s Turnbull
• •
MEMBERSHIP 11%
million
•
OTHER INCOME 3%
•
EDUCATION FEES 6%
Forest Preserves projects advance As part of our ongoing collaboration, we trained
$289.8
Revenue
Operating budget revenue and other support
was a busy year for the Farm on Ogden, the part-
Farm’s popular offerings include VeggieRx, which
$64.9
Net Assets Without donor restrictions With donor restrictions
Urban agriculture flourishes
Christian Health Center in North Lawndale. The
$5.4 10.0 49.5
in environmental STEM subjects.
Photo by John Faier
$289.9
students participated in guided field trips
lence from the White House for mentoring students
“Keep Growing” capital and endowment campaign completed
$6.4 26.1 2.8 129.1 1.6 123.9
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Other liabilities Bonds payable
National recognition for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) program
You made 2019 a year of innovation and achievement.
As of December 31, 2019 (in millions of dollars) ASSETS Cash Pledges receivable Accounts receivable Investments Other assets Property and equipment
Community science programs grow
Our heartfelt thanks
Statement of financial position
VISITOR PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS 15%
• • •
GARDENS AND GROUNDS 27%
•
SCIENCE AFFAIRS 14%
•
•
•
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 14%
Complete, audited financial statements for the Chicago Botanic Garden, including the auditor’s report, for the year ending December 31, 2019, are available at chicagobotanic.org/annual_report.
2,000
free VeggieRx boxes distributed to food-insecure patients through Windy City Harvest
the life cycles and timing of plants, and Plants of Concern, which monitors rare plants.
TOTAL
Major private grants received in 2019 will allow technology improvements to help data collection and more for volunteers for Budburst, which tracks
29,000
The Garden’s Science Career Continuum program received a prestigious presidential award of excel-
Total liabilities
$130.8 94.2
Total net assets
$225.0
TOTAL
Windy City Harvest, the Garden’s urban agriculture
program, now runs 16 farms in the Chicago area. It
$41.6 million
nership for food, jobs, and health with Lawndale
provides free, doctor-prescribed boxes of vegeta-
983,000
ALLOCATION OF LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 5%
bulbs planted
bles to qualified participants, along with nutrition training.
•
Negaunee Institute named
Year-round destination success
In 2010, we kicked off the “Keep Growing” campaign with an ambitious goal: $125 million. By the end of 2019, we had
The new name of the Garden’s science program, the
This is the year we underscored our success as a
raised $140 million, including $44.9 million in endowment to support staff positions and programs. Major projects included
Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and
year-round destination. Lightscape, the after-dark,
the following:
Action, reflects our standing as a leader in plant conserva-
illuminated trail, sold out in its 2019 debut and was
tion science. The major gift from the Negaunee Foundation
the holiday season’s hottest ticket. Bees & Beyond
supports scientist and staff positions, our joint graduate
filled the summer with pollinators and the work we do
program in plant biology and conservation with North-
to protect them. Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, a
• North Lake Shoreline Restoration Project
western University, and future collaborative research with
Halloween favorite, added five nights—and still sold
• Garden View Café renovation
other peer organizations such as the Field Museum.
out. And In the Tropics was our most popular Orchid
• Regenstein Learning Campus and its components • Kris Jarantoski Campus production greenhouses and nursery
• North Branch Trail extension
Show ever.
Forest Preserves ecologists in plant identification. We also shared more than 30 pounds of diverse, wild-collected seeds from the Garden’s McDonald
1.275
•
VISITOR PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS 20%
•
•
$39.6 million
MEMBERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT 9%
species at Forest Preserves sites.
COMMUNICATIONS 7%
11.4
million
page views on the Garden’s website
SPONSORSHIPS 2% RESTRICTED PROGRAM GIFTS 6%
•
ADMINISTRATION 14%
ect, Plants of Concern, we help monitor 58 rare
GOVERNMENT GRANTS 8%
Operating budget expenditures
visitors
Woods. And through our rare plant monitoring proj-
CONTRIBUTIONS 17%
•
FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY 22%
Woods for use at the Forest Preserves’s Turnbull
• •
MEMBERSHIP 11%
million
•
OTHER INCOME 3%
•
EDUCATION FEES 6%
Forest Preserves projects advance As part of our ongoing collaboration, we trained
$289.8
Revenue
Operating budget revenue and other support
was a busy year for the Farm on Ogden, the part-
Farm’s popular offerings include VeggieRx, which
$64.9
Net Assets Without donor restrictions With donor restrictions
Urban agriculture flourishes
Christian Health Center in North Lawndale. The
$5.4 10.0 49.5
in environmental STEM subjects.
Photo by John Faier
$289.9
students participated in guided field trips
lence from the White House for mentoring students
“Keep Growing” capital and endowment campaign completed
$6.4 26.1 2.8 129.1 1.6 123.9
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Other liabilities Bonds payable
National recognition for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) program
You made 2019 a year of innovation and achievement.
As of December 31, 2019 (in millions of dollars) ASSETS Cash Pledges receivable Accounts receivable Investments Other assets Property and equipment
Community science programs grow
Our heartfelt thanks
Statement of financial position
VISITOR PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS 15%
• • •
GARDENS AND GROUNDS 27%
•
SCIENCE AFFAIRS 14%
•
•
•
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 14%
Complete, audited financial statements for the Chicago Botanic Garden, including the auditor’s report, for the year ending December 31, 2019, are available at chicagobotanic.org/annual_report.
2,000
free VeggieRx boxes distributed to food-insecure patients through Windy City Harvest
the life cycles and timing of plants, and Plants of Concern, which monitors rare plants.
TOTAL
Major private grants received in 2019 will allow technology improvements to help data collection and more for volunteers for Budburst, which tracks
29,000
The Garden’s Science Career Continuum program received a prestigious presidential award of excel-
Total liabilities
$130.8 94.2
Total net assets
$225.0
TOTAL
Windy City Harvest, the Garden’s urban agriculture
program, now runs 16 farms in the Chicago area. It
$41.6 million
nership for food, jobs, and health with Lawndale
provides free, doctor-prescribed boxes of vegeta-
983,000
ALLOCATION OF LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 5%
bulbs planted
bles to qualified participants, along with nutrition training.
•
Negaunee Institute named
Year-round destination success
In 2010, we kicked off the “Keep Growing” campaign with an ambitious goal: $125 million. By the end of 2019, we had
The new name of the Garden’s science program, the
This is the year we underscored our success as a
raised $140 million, including $44.9 million in endowment to support staff positions and programs. Major projects included
Negaunee Institute for Plant Conservation Science and
year-round destination. Lightscape, the after-dark,
the following:
Action, reflects our standing as a leader in plant conserva-
illuminated trail, sold out in its 2019 debut and was
tion science. The major gift from the Negaunee Foundation
the holiday season’s hottest ticket. Bees & Beyond
supports scientist and staff positions, our joint graduate
filled the summer with pollinators and the work we do
program in plant biology and conservation with North-
to protect them. Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, a
• North Lake Shoreline Restoration Project
western University, and future collaborative research with
Halloween favorite, added five nights—and still sold
• Garden View Café renovation
other peer organizations such as the Field Museum.
out. And In the Tropics was our most popular Orchid
• Regenstein Learning Campus and its components • Kris Jarantoski Campus production greenhouses and nursery
• North Branch Trail extension
Show ever.
Forest Preserves ecologists in plant identification. We also shared more than 30 pounds of diverse, wild-collected seeds from the Garden’s McDonald
1.275
•
VISITOR PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS 20%
•
•
$39.6 million
MEMBERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT 9%
species at Forest Preserves sites.
COMMUNICATIONS 7%
11.4
million
page views on the Garden’s website
SPONSORSHIPS 2% RESTRICTED PROGRAM GIFTS 6%
•
ADMINISTRATION 14%
ect, Plants of Concern, we help monitor 58 rare
GOVERNMENT GRANTS 8%
Operating budget expenditures
visitors
Woods. And through our rare plant monitoring proj-
CONTRIBUTIONS 17%
•
FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY 22%
Woods for use at the Forest Preserves’s Turnbull
• •
MEMBERSHIP 11%
million
•
OTHER INCOME 3%
•
EDUCATION FEES 6%
Forest Preserves projects advance As part of our ongoing collaboration, we trained
$289.8
Revenue
Operating budget revenue and other support
was a busy year for the Farm on Ogden, the part-
Farm’s popular offerings include VeggieRx, which
$64.9
Net Assets Without donor restrictions With donor restrictions
Urban agriculture flourishes
Christian Health Center in North Lawndale. The
$5.4 10.0 49.5
in environmental STEM subjects.
Photo by John Faier
$289.9
students participated in guided field trips
lence from the White House for mentoring students
“Keep Growing” capital and endowment campaign completed
$6.4 26.1 2.8 129.1 1.6 123.9
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Other liabilities Bonds payable
National recognition for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) program
You made 2019 a year of innovation and achievement.
As of December 31, 2019 (in millions of dollars) ASSETS Cash Pledges receivable Accounts receivable Investments Other assets Property and equipment
Community science programs grow
Our heartfelt thanks
Statement of financial position
VISITOR PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS 15%
• • •
GARDENS AND GROUNDS 27%
•
SCIENCE AFFAIRS 14%
•
•
•
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 14%
Complete, audited financial statements for the Chicago Botanic Garden, including the auditor’s report, for the year ending December 31, 2019, are available at chicagobotanic.org/annual_report.
Statement of financial position As of December 31, 2019 (in millions of dollars) ASSETS Cash Pledges receivable Accounts receivable Investments Other assets Property and equipment
$6.4 26.1 2.8 129.1 1.6 123.9
TOTAL
$289.9
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses Other liabilities Bonds payable
$5.4 10.0 49.5
Total liabilities
$64.9
Net Assets Without donor restrictions With donor restrictions
$130.8 94.2
Total net assets
$225.0
TOTAL
$289.8
Revenue
Operating budget revenue and other support $41.6 million ALLOCATION OF LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 5%
•
•
OTHER INCOME 3%
•
CONTRIBUTIONS 17%
•
EDUCATION FEES 6%
•
GOVERNMENT GRANTS 8%
•
MEMBERSHIP 11%
• •
VISITOR PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS 20%
•
RESTRICTED PROGRAM GIFTS 6%
•
FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY 22%
SPONSORSHIPS 2%
Operating budget expenditures $39.6 million ADMINISTRATION 14% MEMBERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT 9% COMMUNICATIONS 7% VISITOR PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS 15%
• • •
GARDENS AND GROUNDS 27%
•
SCIENCE AFFAIRS 14%
•
•
•
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS 14%
Complete, audited financial statements for the Chicago Botanic Garden, including the auditor’s report, for the year ending December 31, 2019, are available at chicagobotanic.org/annual_report.
Chicago Horticultural Society Board of Directors Officers and Executive Staff as of 12/31/2019
Robert F. Finke Chair
Jennifer Schwarz Ballard, Ph.D., Vice President, Learning & Engagement
Jean M. Franczyk, President & Chief Executive Officer
Aida Z. Giglio, Vice President, Human Resources
Fred Spicer, Executive Vice President and Director
Gregory M. Mueller, Ph.D., Chief Scientist and Negaunee Vice President of Science
Thomas J. Nissly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Harriet Resnick, Vice President, Visitor Experience and Business Development
James F. Boudreau, Executive Vice President, External Affairs 2019 Life Directors
2019 Board of Directors Dana Anderson
M. James Leider
Marilynn B. Alsdorf*
Russell F. Bartmes
Benjamin F. Lenhardt, Jr.
J. Melfort Campbell
Martha D. Boudos
Anne Leventry
Barbara Whitney Carr
Terrence R. Brady
Diane vS. Levy
Gary P. Coughlan
Jennifer K. Brown˚
Laura M. Linger
Peter R. Crane
Neville F. Bryan
Anne S. Loucks
Suzanne S. Dixon
John H. Buehler
Michael J. McMurray
Thomas A. Donahoe
Michael J. Busch
Christopher Merrill
Peter B. Foreman
Heidi B. Capozzi
William E. Moeller
Ralph F. Fujimoto
David R. Casper
Gregory A. Moerschel
James J. Glasser
Robin Colburn
Lois L. Morrison
Caryn L. Harris
Jill M. Delaney
Henry Munez
Pamela K. Hull
James W. DeYoung
Jennifer J. Neighbours˚
Thomas B. Hunter III
Timothy A. Dugan
Craig Niemann
Posy L. Krehbiel
Peter M. Ellis
Jane S. Park
William H. Kurtis
Jean M. Franczyk˚
Katie Parks˚
Donna La Pietra
Dorothy H. Gardner
George A. Peinado
Daniel I. H. Linzer
Steven J. Gavin
Toni Preckwinkle˚
Josephine P. Louis
Arthur J. Gibson
Bob Probst
Mary L. McCormack
Nancy Gidwitz
Arnold Randall˚
Jeanine McNally
Christopher E. Girgenti
Mary B. Richardson-Lowry
William A. Osborn
Ellis M. Goodman
John C. Robak
Homi B. Patel
John K. Greene*
James Robinson
Susan L. Regenstein
Charles V. Greener
Ryan S. Ruskin
Anne O. Scott
Joseph P. Gromacki
Darren Serrao
David Byron Smith
Gillian Growdon
Robert E. Shaw
Susan K. Stone
William J. Hagenah
Andrew Sinclair
Richard L. Thomas
Jonathan S. Holloway
Thomas E. Skilling
Howard J. Trienens
John L. Howard
Maria Smithburg
Ernest P. Waud III
Jane Irwin
Harrison I. Steans*
Arthur M. Wood, Jr.
Gregory K. Jones
Pam F. Szokol
Jennifer M. Kasten
Kimberly Vender Moffat˚
˚ex officio *deceased
Peter Keehn
Catherine M. Waddell
R. Henry Kleeman
Andrew J. Warzecha
Judith H. Konen˚
Susan A. Willetts
Angela Korompilas
Melvin F. Williams, Jr.
Nancy Kurz˚
Nicole S. Williams
Thomas E. Lanctot
Michael R. Zimmerman
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Chicago Horticultural Society
1000 lake cook road glencoe, illinois 60022
Board of Directors
chicagobotanic.org
Officers and Executive Staff as of 12/31/2019
Jennifer Schwarz Ballard, Ph.D., Vice President, Learning & Engagement
Jean M. Franczyk, President & Chief Executive Officer
Aida Z. Giglio, Vice President, Human Resources
Fred Spicer, Executive Vice President and Director
Gregory M. Mueller, Ph.D., Chief Scientist and Negaunee Vice President of Science
Thomas J. Nissly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Harriet Resnick, Vice President, Visitor Experience and Business Development
James F. Boudreau, Executive Vice President, External Affairs 2019 Life Directors
Dana Anderson
M. James Leider
Marilynn B. Alsdorf*
Russell F. Bartmes
Benjamin F. Lenhardt, Jr.
J. Melfort Campbell
Martha D. Boudos
Anne Leventry
Barbara Whitney Carr
Terrence R. Brady
Diane vS. Levy
Gary P. Coughlan
Jennifer K. Brown˚
Laura M. Linger
Peter R. Crane
Neville F. Bryan
Anne S. Loucks
When we first wrote this letter, we simply wanted to thank you for
New reach
delivering one of the most successful years ever at the Chicago
Our new holiday light show, Lightscape, sold out. More than 175,000
Botanic Garden in 2019—and then the world changed. The new
people attended—20 percent of whom were first-time visitors to the
coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak became a worldwide pandemic.
Garden. Lightscape, and other programs such as the pollinator-
We temporarily closed our beloved Garden, based on the recom-
focused Bees & Beyond, helped propel attendance to a record
mendations of federal, state, and county officials. All classes,
1.275 million visitors, up 22 percent from 2018.
programs, and events were canceled. What has not changed is our commitment to inspire and touch lives
You helped us achieve record levels of earned and raised revenues,
Suzanne S. Dixon
through the natural world. A growing body of research shows that
and Annual Fund contributions. Facing substantial cuts in government funding, we doubled down on our strategic imperative to
Michael J. McMurray
Thomas A. Donahoe
Michael J. Busch
Christopher Merrill
Peter B. Foreman
We will emerge from this crisis stronger and more relevant than ever
diversify and grow revenue, and to become more widely known and
Heidi B. Capozzi
William E. Moeller
Ralph F. Fujimoto
to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
appreciated.
David R. Casper
Gregory A. Moerschel
James J. Glasser
Robin Colburn
Lois L. Morrison
Caryn L. Harris
As we write this letter, the scent of witch hazel lingers in the Sensory
Thank you to our loyal staff, boards, volunteers, members, visitors,
Jill M. Delaney
Henry Munez
Pamela K. Hull
Garden, and thousands of sunny ‘Yellow Mammoth’ crocuses
and donors, and to our partner, the Forest Preserves of Cook
James W. DeYoung
Jennifer J. Neighbours˚
Thomas B. Hunter III
Timothy A. Dugan
Craig Niemann
Posy L. Krehbiel
bloom in the grassy meadow of Evening Island. We send a message
County. You help us improve lives, communities, and our planet.
Peter M. Ellis
Jane S. Park
William H. Kurtis
Jean M. Franczyk˚
Katie Parks˚
Donna La Pietra
Dorothy H. Gardner
George A. Peinado
Daniel I. H. Linzer
Steven J. Gavin
Toni Preckwinkle˚
Josephine P. Louis
Arthur J. Gibson
Bob Probst
Mary L. McCormack
Nancy Gidwitz
Arnold Randall˚
Jeanine McNally
Christopher E. Girgenti
achievements of 2019. Here’s a quick recap of what we accomplished together:
New momentum
Mary B. Richardson-Lowry
William A. Osborn
We completed the ten-year “Keep Growing” capital and endowment
John C. Robak
Homi B. Patel
campaign. The campaign, which modernized and improved the
John K. Greene*
James Robinson
Susan L. Regenstein
Garden, raised $140 million, including $44.9 million in endowment.
Charles V. Greener
Ryan S. Ruskin
Anne O. Scott
Joseph P. Gromacki
Darren Serrao
David Byron Smith
Gillian Growdon
Robert E. Shaw
Susan K. Stone
William J. Hagenah
Andrew Sinclair
Richard L. Thomas
Jonathan S. Holloway
Thomas E. Skilling
Howard J. Trienens
John L. Howard
Maria Smithburg
Ernest P. Waud III
the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the
Jane Irwin
Harrison I. Steans*
Arthur M. Wood, Jr.
world’s most-cited and comprehensive scientific journals, and on
Gregory K. Jones
Pam F. Szokol
green plant evolution in the prestigious journal Nature.
Jennifer M. Kasten
Kimberly Vender Moffat˚
˚ex officio *deceased
Peter Keehn
Catherine M. Waddell
R. Henry Kleeman
Andrew J. Warzecha Melvin F. Williams, Jr.
Nancy Kurz˚
Nicole S. Williams
Thomas E. Lanctot
Michael R. Zimmerman
chicagobotanic.org/annual_report
of hope for the future, as well as gratitude for the extraordinary
Ellis M. Goodman
Susan A. Willetts
To find complete donor list and view our Annual Report online, please visit
Throughout 2019, we pushed ourselves hard, and you responded.
John H. Buehler
Judith H. Konen˚
PERMIT NO. 1568
Annual Report | 2019
A message from the Chairman of the Board and the President & CEO
people live happier, healthier lives when they spend time in nature.
Angela Korompilas
NORTHBROOK, IL
One of the treasures of the Forest Preserves of Cook County
Robert F. Finke Chair
2019 Board of Directors
US POSTAGE PAID
New impact The Garden achieved widespread recognition for its conservation science work. Our scientists published research on prairie plants in
Jean M. Franczyk, President & CEO, and Robert F. Finke, Chairman of the Board
We cultivate the power of plants to sustain and enrich life.
The Farm on Ogden, the project of the Garden and Lawndale Christian Health Center, continues to thrive, supporting and sustaining a healthy urban community. The multiuse facility, in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, won a Distinguished Building award from the American Institute of Architects Chicago in 2019.