2024-02-15T15:34:08-06:00 2023-09-30 251408703 SCHNEIDER DOWNS & CO INC ONE PPG PLACE SUITE 1700 PITTSBURGH PA 15222 990 2023-01-01 251648405 Pittsburgh Botanic Garden PITT 4124444464 799 Pinkerton Run Road Pittsburgh PA 15071 Robert S Mermelstein CFO Executive Director 4124444464 2024-02-15 1 Robert Mermelstein CFO 999009999 0 Sarah R Piot P01358891 4122613644 2 AAL1 IAL1 2023 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z Keith Kaiser 799 Pinkerton Run Road Pittsburgh PA 15071 2488150 0 X www.PittsburghBotanicGarden.org X 1991 PA Pittsburgh Botanic Garden inspires people to value plants, garden design and the natural world by cultivating plant collections of the Allegheny Plateau and temperate regions, creating display gardens, conducting educational programs and conserving the environment. 35 35 0 90 0 0 2242697 1512466 238790 225496 1219 -190599 822899 560878 3305605 2108241 0 0 0 0 1381901 1176501 0 0 90993 1804653 1429046 3186554 2605547 119051 -497306 22198703 21765190 1198815 1262608 20999888 20502582 X Pittsburgh Botanic Garden inspires people to value plants, garden design and the natural world by cultivating plant collections of the Allegheny Plateau and temperate regions, creating display gardens, conducting educational programs and conserving the environment. 0 0 1195033 160504 Visitor Experience: Through its facilities, gardens and woodlands, and programs, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden strives to increase the number of individuals exposed to the natural beauty of the Allegheny Plateau region. The Garden's mission is grounded in the belief that connecting with plants is fundamentally important to the emotional and physical well-being of all people.Since opening to the public in 2015, nearly 400,000 individuals have visited the garden to explore, learn or celebrate a milestone. In addition to visitation, membership also has grown steadily with over 3,300 households.As an outdoor public garden, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden offers gardens and woodlands for all to connect to plants while exploring the native habitats of the Allegheny Plateau ecoregion. Highlights for visitors include these garden features: Garden of the Five Senses - This garden encourages children of all ages and abilities to touch, hear, smell, taste and see the natural world around them. Filled with hands-on activities for exploration, this is the garden for families to learn and connect with nature. You also will find the Discovery Cart, filled with constantly changing artifacts to spark curiosity in young minds. The Weisbrod Learning Pavilion provides an outdoor space for school field trips and drop-in programs for visitors.Hillside Pollinator Garden - Colorful, all-season blooms invite you and pollinators to visit this gently sloping hillside. The swaths of cultivars of native perennials burst each season to take center stage. Stroll along or take a moment on GB's Overlook to view a pollinator at work. Exhibit Garden - On October 1, 2021, Carbon Cycle: An Earth Art Exhibit opened as the first exhibit featured in the new garden area. Carbon Cycle is an immersive experience for guests as they walk a serpentine path to find the artist Gary Smith's piece made of materials of the site.The Garden's Welcome Center is a 7,500-square-foot facility which greets visitors entering the gardens and woodlands and transports them to a place of exploration, wonder, and learning. The Welcome Center is home to the Welcome Desk, Forage & Finds, Canopy Cafe, Peirce Education Rooms and Courtyard Garden, the Zappala Woodland Room and its Art Gallery, featuring local artists year-round. 664822 Horticulture: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden inspires people to value plants, garden design and the natural world by cultivating plant collections of the Allegheny Plateau and temperate regions, creating display gardens, conducting educational programs and conserving the environment. The Garden is a qualified caretaker of 460 acres of southwest Pennsylvania's land and water. Dedicated staff and volunteers create and maintain this space as a habitat for native flora and fauna. In addition to ongoing conservation efforts such as mitigating acid mine drainage and reforestation projects, the Garden provides 65 acres of cultivated gardens and woodlands for the public to connect to plants. Through this innate experience: young minds are engaged, gardeners are inspired, and all visitors find a sense of calm.Central to the story of Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is the poor condition of the site upon which it is being built. Left in a deplorable state following coal extraction throughout the first half of the 20th Century, the land was unfit for most uses and even dangerous in spots. Further damage was caused by flooding of the mines beneath the surface in 2004, which exposed a severe acid mine drainage problem. The land and water are being reclaimed and repaired. Abandoned mine features, invasive species and poor site conditions are being replaced by educational gardens, reconstructed woodlands, and lovely views. The Garden is providing long-term benefits, including carbon capture, superior soil conservation and lasting habitat improvement.A few conservation highlights since beginning its land and water reclamation efforts in 2014: -15,000 native saplings were planted to reforest an abandoned mine site. The Garden collaborated with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, United States Office of Surface Mining and Plant Five for Life. -The Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative provided expert advice on tree species that thrive on reclaimed soils. -The Garden's efforts are successful with more than 80 percent of the planted trees thriving. Horticulture staff and volunteers continue to tend to and monitor this future forest. -With no chemical treatments or energy inputs, and minimal maintenance, water once considered 'dead' now supports a healthy aquatic ecosystem. The Garden operates three passive, water filter systems which neutralize more than 25 million gallons of acid mine discharge each year, prior to it entering the region's watershed and then the Ohio River. -The first innovative filter system to be installed creates the Garden's Lotus Pond, a focal point of the Japanese Garden. The Garden was recognized for this system as the recipient of the 2014 Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence. -The Garden's work in mitigating acid mine drainage is recognized by the U.S. Office of Surface Mining as a national model and has since been duplicated elsewhere. 186662 64992 Education: With education a cornerstone of its mission, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is able to use its restoration of former coal mining land as a living laboratory for adults and children to engage in environmental stewardship and develop a conservation mindset.Exposure to nature in a beautiful and safe environment through guidance of mentors helps foster connection with the natural world. In an era of increased time spent indoors, children and young adults need an opportunity to connect with nature for their personal growth and to develop the stewardship behaviors that will contribute to a healthier, more sustainable and just future.The education programming at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is a mix of formal classes and self-discovery opportunities throughout the gardens and woodlands. Adult classes and workshops are held on a wide range of topics for beginner and experienced gardeners as well as ways to connect to plants in a variety of ways, such as through photography and art programs. Children and families learn together while exploring the gardens and woodlands through self-discovery and the assistance of interpretive signage or a stop by the Discovery Cart. The Garden education team partners with regional school districts to host curriculum-based field trips. Students are exposed to Science Technology Engineering Agriculture/Art and Mathematics (STEAM) in a unique environment that cannot be duplicated in a classroom. 2046517 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 35 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 PA X X Robert Mermelstein 4124444464 799 Pinkerton Run Road Pittsburgh PA 15071 X Susan Al Secretary 3.00 X X 0 0 0 Terri Fitzpatrick Vice Chair 3.00 X X 0 0 0 Michael Hatcher Chair 5.00 X X 0 0 0 Brenna Wist Treasurer 3.00 X X 0 0 0 Jeanne B Berdick Director 3.00 X 0 0 0 Christopher Blass Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Burns Director 2.00 X 0 0 0 Bonita A Cersosimo Director 2.00 X 0 0 0 Basil Cox Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Nelson Craige Director 3.00 X 0 0 0 Amanda D'Amico Director 4.00 X 0 0 0 Susan Edwards Director 4.00 X 0 0 0 Beverlynn Elliot Director 4.00 X 0 0 0 Diana Froats Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Carl Grande Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Malcolm Handelsman Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Richard Heyse Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Stephanie A Hickton Director (Entered 04/2023) 4.00 X 0 0 0 William J Kolano Director 2.00 X 0 0 0 John Kraus Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Brian Kuczinski Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 John Mazur Director 3.00 X 0 0 0 Patrick McCoy Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Mark Miko Director 2.00 X 0 0 0 Jill S Porter-Scott Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Stacey Reiback Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Elie Saad Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Stevan Schott Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Caitlin Seiler Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Marianne Shiwarski Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 David Thor Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Saurabh Tripathi Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kendra White Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Wild Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Nancy Zapalla Director 5.00 X 0 0 0 Keith Kaiser Executive Director 40.00 X 0 0 0 Robert Mermelstein Chief Financial Officer 40.00 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 184858 36600 162735 1128273 112913 1512466 Admissions 900099 160504 160504 Education Programs 900099 64992 64992 225496 9241 9241 411194 4420 406774 406774 406774 443 199397 -443 -199397 -199840 -199840 115350 36600 72410 42940 42940 209869 103239 106630 106630 Other Income 900099 4534 4534 4534 2108241 225496 0 370279 166148 79991 54983 31174 864081 724184 121898 17999 48159 43901 1441 2817 98113 77159 16224 4730 30953 30953 91460 74795 16485 180 155726 133387 22339 202780 72237 124476 6067 89014 65357 23657 556550 543434 8487 4629 62492 3434 58000 1058 Garden Costs 154835 154835 Education 35403 35403 Events 19455 19455 30378 18945 11433 2605547 2046517 468037 90993 964870 857326 963757 956905 749226 783250 53652 14409 45416 80321 29404 16289 22443249 3386559 19392378 19056690 22198703 21765190 361999 475870 472732 463689 364084 323049 1198815 1262608 X 19450663 18542294 1549225 1960288 20999888 20502582 22198703 21765190 -497306 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 3387698 4195480 2112288 2242697 1512467 13450630 3387698 4195480 2112288 2242697 1512467 13450630 1522332 11928298 422518 214613 554297 721284 420435 2333147 84779 84779 91655 28958 3627 4763 4534 133537 16002093 1172338 0.74540 0.70250 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 26000 26000 1.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0 0 1249732 1249732 12635775 1380227 11255548 8058825 1861040 6197785 256462 126953 129509 242455 18339 224116 19056690 X 2500782 13075 379466 392541 2108241 0 2108241 2998088 13075 89100 290366 392541 2605547 0 2605547 Part V, Line 4: The Garden's endowment consists of cash and future investment funds established primarily to support the organization's mission. As required by generally accepted accounting principles, net assets associated with endowment funds, including funds designated by the Garden to function as endowments, are classified and reported based on the existence or absence of donor-imposed restrictions. The Board makes the final determination as to investment funds to be distributed each year from the Garden's permanently restricted endowment funds, as well as specific uses for such distributions in accordance with donor restrictions, if any. This is done in accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Act 141. The Garden has adopted a total return investment policy for purposes of determining the spending rate. As required by Act 141, the spending rate is limited to a range of 2-7% annually. The spending policy of the fund is to pay amounts approved by the Board. The distribution of funds may be taken from both current income and appreciation. Restricted investment funds must be handled in accordance with donor's instructions. The distribution is paid as determined annually by the Board, with advice from the Finance & Audit Committee. Principal can be used to the extent income falls short of target. The distribution amount is based on the three-year rolling average value of the permanently restricted endowment portfolio and will not exceed 7.0% annually. The Board approves the distributions annually. During the initial three years of the endowment, there will be no distribution to the Garden from the endowment. The first distribution can be made at the end of the initial three-year period. Part X, Line 2: The Garden is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, except on net income derived from unrelated business activities. In addition, the Garden qualifies for the charitable contribution deduction under Section 170(b)(1)(A) and has been classified as an organization other than a private foundation. The Garden has not identified any material uncertain tax positions requiring an accrual or disclosure in the financial statements. The Garden is no longer subject to examinations by taxing authorities in any major tax jurisdiction for the years before December 31, 2020. Part XI, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Rental Expenses 4,420. Cost of Goods Sold 103,239. Fundraising Expenses 72,410. Loss on disposal of land, buildings, improvements, and equipment 89,100. Repair-and-replace plan expenses 110,297. Part XII, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Rental Expenses 4,420. Cost of Goods Sold 103,239. Fundraising Expenses 72,410. Repair-and-replace plan expenses 110,297. Blossom 151950 36600 115350 51272 4490 16648 151950 36600 115350 51272 4490 16648 72410 42940 X 3 112913 FAIR MARKET VALUE 0 0 1 0 Part I, Column (b): The amount reported in column (b) represents the number of contributors. Revenue Procedure 85-58, Sec. 3.02: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is changing its reporting period from calendar-year end to fiscal-year ending September 30th. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b The draft Form 990 is reviewed in detail by Pittsburgh Botanic Garden's Chief Financial Officer prior to being reviewed by the Finance & Audit Committee. After the draft Form 990 has been reviewed by the Committee, the Committee makes the recommendation for the full Board of Directors to approve the Form 990 prior to filing. The full Board of Directors is provided with a copy of the form prior to filing. After approval by the Board of Directors, the Form 990 is electronically filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c A written conflict of interest policy was established in 2011. Board members and employees must complete and sign a conflict of interest form annually. The Board Development Committee tracks the responses to ensure 100% participation and reviews any disclosures for items that would require action. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15 The salary for the Executive Director is reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. Other Officer salaries are reviewed by Human Resources. Evaluation of compensation levels for non-profits in the marketplace is used as comparable data when establishing compensation for all officers. The deliberations are documented in the meeting minutes and/or the personnel files. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 The Garden makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to any interested parties upon request. Form 990, Part VIII, Line 7, Other: On August 7, 2022, the Garden's Stormwater Detention System (System), which is a subsurface system under the main parking lot, failed, causing the tanks underground to collapse and the parking surface over the tanks to drop. The System regulates the flow of stormwater from the Garden to prevent flooding of the watershed below. The Garden, in discussions with the parties involved in designing and constructing the System, developed a repair-and-replace plan and reached a settlement agreement, dated April 19, 2023, to complete the required design and construction work necessary. The work was completed in 2023 and the majority of costs incurred were covered by the third parties in the settlement agreement. Costs related to the work and paid by the Garden are included in the Statement of Revenue, Line 7, Other in the amount of $110,297.