New England Botanic Garden Donor Impact Report 2023

Donor Impact Report 2023

j . s . mcelvery

Dear New England Botanic Garden Family, On behalf of the entire team at the Garden, thank you for your generosity. We are truly grateful for your commitment to creating a world where people and plants thrive.

Thanks to your donation, we continue the important work of conserving and showcasing a diverse collection of plant species, creating educational programs for the community, advancing sustainable initiatives, and maintaining an environment that leaves people with a sense of wonder and awe at the complexity and beauty of the living world.

You have shared with us that you love the Garden for health, emotional, and educational reasons.

We hope that you can experience the joy of gardening throughout your lifetime. By supporting the Garden, you help others to experience these joys, too. You also help instill the values of environmental stewardship that we share. It is because of you that we can make a difference in our local ecosystem and inspire the next generation to appreciate and protect our natural world. Your kindness and generosity have a lasting impact, and we are honored to have you as a partner in our mission.

We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together in the past year.

Thank you for your partnership. We hope that this report will inspire you, and we look forward to continuing to grow with you.

With sincere appreciation, Grace C. Elton chief executive officer new england botanic garden at tower hill

Cultivating a Resilient Garden With your support, New England Botanic Garden advances sustainable initiatives so that people, plants, and wildlife may thrive on this planet for generations to come. What does this commitment to sustainability look like in action?

We approach our gardens, plant collections, and land care operations through a climate change resiliency lens. Planting native plants, stewarding successional habitats, and managing invasive species responsibly fosters a biodiverse ecosystem. Incorporating drought-resistant plants and “green” mulches helps conserve precious natural resources. These efforts and more not only benefit the environment but also serve as an example to others in our community.

Last year, the Garden earned recognition as the first botanic garden in the nation to receive Green Zone certification from the American Green Zone Alliance for our efforts to decarbonize by replacing gas-powered mowers, leaf-blowers, chainsaws, and utility carts with electric alternatives.

This transition eliminates an estimated 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually—the equivalent of planting 2,220 trees or taking 11 gas-powered cars off the road each year.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Visitors 213,726

BY THE NUMBERS Thank you for your generous support!

Members 11,210

Gifts 1,723

Total Dollars Raised $2,545,876

Adult Education Attendance 4,960

Bulbs Planted 100,000+

Youth Education Attendance 9,960

Weddings 66

Garden Volunteer Hours 7,572

Financial Report New England Botanic Garden Fiscal year April 1, 2022– March 31, 2023

Total Revenue from Operating Activities Endowment Draw

10%

Membership Dues Philanthropy

14% 55%

Earned Revenue

$7,117,171 18%

Total Expenses from Operating Activities Fundraising

9% General Administration Program

Expenses figures do not include allocation of overhead or depreciation.

Please note these figures are unaudited and subject to change.

$7,445,855 25%

66%

Building Stronger Communities Together With support from grant funders and in collaboration with nonprofits, municipal partners, and residents, the Garden helps communities harness the power of plants and creates opportunities for people to connect with and learn about nature.

In Worcester, horticulture staff worked with students from the United Way’s WooServes program to plant the Franklin Street Median. This community greening project and others have helped beautify downtown spaces while also contributing pollinator resources and other ecological services to the urban environment. Our Get a Tree, Plant a Tree initiative helps restore much-needed tree canopy in environmental justice neighborhoods.

Nature-based educational programs that take place at the Garden and in local schools engage young people in hands-on experiences that teach about habitats, tree science, climate change, environmental justice, and green industry careers. Working closely with community partners, we develop mission-focused programs around the interests and needs of students. For some, an introduction to nature starts at the Garden, and here they build a lifelong appreciation for plants and the environment.

Donor Recognition Thank you to all of the individuals, foundations, and corporations who supported New England Botanic Garden in the 2023 fiscal year (April 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023).

View the full list of donors at nebg.org/donor-report-2023

1842

The 1842 Circle recognizes all donors who give two or more years consecutively.

Donors are given recognition and loyal donor benefits throughout the year.

499 MEMBERS

The John Green Society honors annual leadership donors of $1,500 or more.

Young professionals 40 and under are recognized at $1,000. Members are given recognition at John Green Society special events throughout the year.

97 MEMBERS The Perennial Circle recognizes the foresight and generosity of our friends who have arranged a bequest or planned gift to New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.

61 MEMBERS

Worcester County Horticultural Society 11 French Drive P.O. Box 598 Boylston, MA 01505

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