2025-12-12T10:17:58-08:00 2025-06-30 952076568 Leaf & Cole LLP 2810 Camino Del Rio South Suite 200 San Diego CA 92108 990 2024-07-01 330849518 FOREVER BALBOA PARK FORE 6192322282 1549 El Prado Suite 1 SAN DIEGO CA 92101 Katherine McDonald President & CEO 2025-12-12 true true LATONYA M KNOX P00513874 6192947200 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Katherine McDonald 7153343 false X www.foreverbalboapark.org X 1999 CA To sustain, envision and enhance Balboa Park for all in partnership with the City of San Diego and in collaboration with other organizations in the Park and the community. 29 29 49 450 0 2477376 4482977 828913 753375 285842 240253 1210650 1339282 4802781 6815887 0 0 1971575 2030062 0 752544 2357370 2463243 4328945 4493305 473836 2322582 11626250 14415037 506643 671925 11119607 13743112 X To sustain, envision, and enhance Balboa Park for all in partnership with the City of San Diego and in collaboration with other organizations in the Park and the community. Our vision for the Park is to maintain and enhance its stature as a sustainable, world-class destination where all visitors are inspired, engaged, and enriched. false false 1411066 Park Improvement Projects and Programs:Parkwide Volunteers:The Organization recruits, trains, and retains volunteers to support an array of Park needs, from garden and tree maintenance to visitor experience services. Growing to more than 450 volunteers strong, current programs include: Park Ambassadors, Tree Stewards, Tree Maintenance Volunteers, Garden Stewards, Rose Garden Corps, Tour Guides, Botanical Building Volunteers and Information Desk Volunteers. Volunteers perform vital functions within the Park, and the program is certified by the Points of Light Foundation as an official Service Enterprise organization, one of only 11% nonprofits nationwide.Park Activation:The Organization supports the City's Parks and Recreation Department in placemaking and Park activation endeavors, including parkwide tours, Botanical Building tours, clean-ups, community tree plantings, and provisioning of volunteers for visitor services for December Nights. In addition to events, the Organization works with other Park stakeholders to provide important infrastructure and programming that supports community connection in public spaces. The Organization hosts high school and college level interns, engaging them in workforce training on landscape architecture, GIS and mapping, marketing and communications, and leadership development skills. The Organization also partners with other Park organizations to support field trip programs and summer camp programs with tours and training orientations.Park Improvement:The Organization's process for selecting Park Improvement programs and capital improvement projects includes regular collaboration with, and ongoing input from, Park stakeholders and the City.The Organization's lead programs and projects that sustain and enhance the Park include the following initiatives:Urban Forest Initiative - a comprehensive tree inventory, site-specific tree plantings, sapling distribution programs, and a grant-funded initiative to plant hundreds of trees in the Park, while engaging youth and community members in learning about the climate and ecosystem benefits of caring for the Park's urban forest.Wayfinding and Signage - implementation of recommendations for a comprehensive wayfinding strategy to improve the visitor experience and to enhance access, circulation, and orientation. This strategy encompasses redesigning, updating, distributing, and installing a comprehensive Park map, and designing and installing wayfinding, Park identification, and pedestrian orientation signs in several key locations within the Park.Convenings and Awards - collaborative planning, design, and outreach, including a series of park-wide stakeholder meetings and support for programs focused specifically on horticulture and Park improvement projects. The newest project, the annual sPARK Awards, celebrates creative collaboration in the Park by honoring other inspirational organizations and individuals.Gardens Enhancement (a) upgraded gardens throughout the Park, with significant improvements to the Cactus Garden including irrigation planning, species identification mapping, and interpretive QR codes, elevating the stature of this neglected garden, (b) provided removal, redesign, and implementation of the Rose Garden pergola project, (c) recruited and trained dozens of new Garden Stewards, and (d) managed an Adopt-a-Plot program, guiding plot adopters in creating and maintaining their designated plots.Trail Restoration - restoration of degraded trails in the Park, including the 26th Street trail in the Golden Hill neighborhood of the Park; enhancements to the Kate O. Session Cactus Garden trail and a trail in the Trees for Health medicinal garden, opening up these areas of the Park for park-goers of all physical abilities; collaboration with the Park Ranger team to identify future trail restoration projects to protect biodiversity and enhance outdoor learning and recreation.Botanical Building and Gardens:The Botanical Building and Gardens is an architectural and horticultural treasure where Park visitors are introduced to the plethora of plants that flourish in the mild Southern California climate as well as to species from around the world. Constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the iconic building remains one of the largest wood lath structures in the world. The shared vision for the Botanical Building and Gardens future is to create a botanical experience that inspires people to connect to nature. The facility and surrounding gardens have long been in need of revitalization, which will be accomplished through restoration of the original 1915 structure and creation of a meaningful botanical experience for the 21st century. Using federal, state, local, and private funding raised through the Organization's multi-year capital campaign, the building and gardens are being restored to their former glory, with the Organization serving as the City's private partner.The City-led Phase 1 of the project, which was completed in December of 2024 and included the full restoration of the building to its original 1915 design, recreates the series of arched openings with Palladian-style windows and large doors, and opens up the inside space to the surrounding gardens as intended. Updated planting designs and accessible walkways present visitors with the wonders of biodiversity, while ensuring all visitors can enjoy the experience. State-of-the-art lighting and new irrigation systems were added. Two new additions to the building's north faade provide additional workspace and multipurpose rooms for educational and public programming.The Organization is leading Phase 2 of the restoration and revitalization of the landmark building and gardens by reconstructing the historic pergola, revitalizing the surrounding gardens, and repairing fountains and pathways. Accomplishment of this phase will provide for improved botanical collection management, an enhanced visitor experience, and expanded educational and programming use.An important element of the Organization's Phase 2 capital campaign is to raise several years of funding for trained Garden Stewards volunteers to help maintain the landscapes. The Organization's corps of over 450 engaged volunteers provides daily care for the Park's 20+ gardens and 16,000 trees, as well as educating visitors about the gardens and landscapes. The new Botanical Building landscapes will be one of the sites cared for by these dedicated and expertly trained volunteers.The Organization's Phase 2 capital campaign also includes startup funding for public programming to engage and educate visitors of all ages, using the Botanical Building and Gardens as the learning setting. An overarching goal of this programming will be to integrate the arts, science, technology, and environmental learning using the botanical collection. K-12 field trips and support for teachers will advance science and environmental learning goals appropriate for a wide range of curricula and will be linked to state learning standards. Family-focused and arts-infused public programs will enchant visitors from across our diverse region and beyond. Youth internships will provide an introduction to careers in landscape design, horticulture, environmental conservation, and green jobs. Volunteer-led tours of the restored gardens will provide an insider glimpse into the ways in which innovative and water-smart design choices benefit this landmark public space. The revitalization and activation of this public space in the heart of San Diego will make it a valued resource and exceptional visitor experience for the Park's millions of annual visitors. 825817 House of Hospitality: Historic Facilities, GardensThe Organization maintains and preserves the House of Hospitality, a National Historic Landmark building, providing clean public restrooms, ongoing facility care, and security for tenants and visitors. The Visitors Center is housed in the House of Hospitality, along with the Organizations offices, The Prado Restaurant, a ballroom, meeting rooms, and offices for nonprofit cultural and educational organizations operating within the Park. The House of Hospitality serves visitors numbering over 1,000,000 each year. 754609 751275 Balboa Park Visitors Center: Retail Operations and Guest ServicesThe Balboa Park Visitors Center informs, educates, and serves over 600,000 visitors annually. The largest visitor center in the region, the Parks Visitors Center is supported by multilingual staff and volunteers with diverse backgrounds, who are trained to promote parkwide institutions and activities and to provide free and custom tours, maps, and information. The Visitors Center operates a gift store to offset the cost of visitor services and sells essential visitor amenities along with Park multi-museum passes, and zoo tickets. 265315 Dorothea Laub Balboa Park CarouselThe Balboa Park Carousel (the Carousel) was constructed in 1910 during the golden age of carousels (c.1880-1920) by the Herschell-Spillman Company of North Tonawanda, New York, and was permanently moved to the Park in 1922. Designated as a Historical Resource, the Carousel is a classic wood carousel of the menagerie type, featuring original hand-painted figures. After acquiring the Carousel in 2017, the Organization has made significant structural and historic restorations of the Carousel itself, and of the historic building in which it is housed. These restorations all adhere to rigorous historic restoration standards and include two new roofs, roof beam structural repairs, repairs to the clerestory windows and frames, and repainting. Additionally, a modern fire suppression system has been incorporated to protect the structure. The Carousel provides more than 100,000 rides annually to visitors of all ages. 265315 3256807 true true false false false false false true false true true false false true true true true false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 23 0 false 49 true false false false false false true true false 0 false false false false false false false X 29 29 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false CA X X ELIZABETH PORTER 6192353066 1549 EL PRADO SUITE 1 SAN DIEGO CA 921011660 JACQUELINE HIGGINS VP PLANNING 40.00 0.00 152457 0 16161 PHILLIP SAMMULI VP OF INST. ADV. 40.00 0.00 151659 0 6968 ELIZABETH PORTER VP OF FINANCE 40.00 0.00 X 122405 0 21122 ELIZABETH BABCOCK President & CEO 40.00 0.00 X 128972 0 6535 CRAIG BATREZ VP FACILITIES & OP 40.00 0.00 120204 0 14823 KATHERINE MCDONALD President & CEO 40.00 0.00 X 22719 0 1222 JOYE BLOUNT Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 SARAH EVANS Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ALLISON SOARES Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 DOUG KERNER IMM PAST CHAIR 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BETTY PEABODY Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KERRI KAPICH Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 GEORGE HARDY Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN VENEKAMP CHAIR ELECT 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MICHELE SLINGERLAND Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JONATHAN SHULMAN Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 PAT CAUGHEY Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL GLASS Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JAMES HUGHES Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 WARREN GOROWITZ Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MAUREEN LAMBERTI Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LYNN LANGLEY Secretary 10.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 JAIME LOMAS Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MONICA MROZ Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BRIAN MATTHEWS Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KEN TRANBARGER Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 GAIDI FINNIE Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LUCY WARREN Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ANN WILSON Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MATT MCCORMICK Director 0.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JOYCE GATTAS Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 VICTORIA HAMILTON CHAIR 10.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 BRENT WOODS Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CONNIE MATSUI Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 GONZALO ROJAS Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 GLENN ROSSMAN Director 10.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ALLISON ROSSETT Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 PEMBERTON SMITH Treasurer 5.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN TOMAN Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 PETE WHEELER Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL YEE Director 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 698416 66831 5 false true false 0 45754 225508 4211715 4482977 CAROUSEL TICKET SALES 900099 335154 335154 COMMISSIONS 900099 36773 36773 KIOSK REVENUE 900099 6112 6112 OTHER TICKET SALES 900099 375336 375336 753375 240253 240253 0 0 962465 962465 962465 962465 0 10731 45754 41360 -30629 -30629 0 703392 296096 407296 407296 MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE 900099 150 150 150 6815887 753525 1579385 0 0 0 0 277769 30554 170830 76385 0 1417080 1017147 58205 341728 27674 18653 4379 4642 169240 114069 26782 28389 138299 93215 21886 23198 0 0 21896 21896 0 0 0 0 28382 16272 12110 0 60909 33376 8230 19303 0 284426 284426 0 0 0 0 0 60564 54409 2051 4104 50746 7816 42930 PROJECT EXPENSES 822420 822156 264 OUTSIDE SERVICES 367857 165341 88386 114130 COST OF TICKET SALES 297284 297284 FACILITIES MAINTENANCE 98748 97794 477 477 370011 204295 37902 127814 4493305 3256807 483954 752544 412283 377612 1693679 3292514 645699 711430 106300 149078 0 0 0 103636 91208 21637 18246 1035598 480986 602412 554612 5013722 5771639 0 0 0 3026882 3448698 11626250 14415037 293440 538609 1143 212060 133316 506643 671925 X 5113236 6037166 6006371 7705946 11119607 13743112 11626250 14415037 2322582 315699 -14776 X false true X true false X 1759329 2328944 1826752 2477376 4482977 12875378 0 0 1759329 2328944 1826752 2477376 4482977 12875378 1734530 11140848 119342 775291 1012728 1102783 1202718 4212862 12375 12375 3927 150 4077 17104692 5786916 0.65130 0.76410 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 2665745 X X false 2560357 324046 14946 2869457 2432365 142752 14760 2560357 2459639 -13008 14266 2432365 2804129 71817 -313829 102478 2459639 2674971 25000 185450 81292 2804129 0.03000 0.86000 0.11000 true false false 352035 293569 58466 559343 153675 405668 124220 33742 90478 554612 CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS 417284 HISTORIC TREASURE-CAROUSEL 2665745 3448698 CUSTODIAL FUNDS 133316 133316 X 7412906 315699 296096 611795 6801111 14776 14776 6815887 4789401 296096 296096 4493305 4493305 Part III, Line 4: Description of organization's collections and how it furthers its purpose. FOREVER BALBOA PARK'S (THE ORGANIZATION") COLLECTION PRESENTLY CONSISTS OF THE 1910 HERSCHELL-SPILLMAN MENAGERIE CAROUSEL (THE "CAROUSEL") WHICH IS LOCATED IN BALBOA PARK. THE ORGANIZATION PRESERVES THE CAROUSEL FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE CAROUSEL IS FULLY OPERATIONAL AND PROVIDES RIDES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE TIMES OF OPERATION ARE LOCATED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE. Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. The Organizations endowment consists of individual funds established for a variety of purposes. The Organization holds and manages the general operations endowment with the remaining fund held and managed by THE San Diego Foundation. Part X : FIN48 Footnote The Organization is a public charity and is exempt from income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 23701(d) of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, except on net income derived from unrelated business activities. The Organization believes that it has appropriate support for any tax positions taken, and, as such, does not have any uncertain tax positions that are material to the financial statements. The Organization is not a private foundation.The Organizations Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax for the year ended June 30, 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the State taxing authorities, generally three-to-four years after the returns are filed. Part XI, Line 2d: Other revenue amounts included in F/S but not included on form 990 COST OF GOODS SOLD $296096 Part XII, Line 2d: Other expenses and losses per audited F/S COST OF GOODS SOLD $296096 X false SPARKS AWARDS 56485 45754 10731 19327 3915 18118 56485 45754 10731 19327 3915 18118 41360 -30629 X X false false false false false false false false false JACQUELINE HIGGINS VP PLANNING 152457 7676 8485 168618 PHILLIP SAMMULI VP OF INST. ADV. 151659 6193 775 158627 Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b THE FORM 990 IS FIRST PRESENTED TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE PRESENTS THE FORM 990 TO THE FULL BOARD OF TRUSTEES. IN EACH CASE THE COMMITTEE/BOARD RECEIVES THE FORM 990 IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c An annual Conflict of Interest Policy and Disclosure Form is required to be reviewed and signed by all Board Members. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a The CEO's performance is reviewed annually by the Executive Committee, with input from the entire Board of Trustees. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 ALL GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, AND OTHER PUBLIC DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE ORGANIZATION'S OFFICE UPON REQUEST.