Nonprofit · EIN 22-2514024
BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC
Tax-exempt · BUFFALO, NY 14218
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $11,572,434 | $2,618,619 | $8,953,815 | $19,990,080 | $1,701,399 | $18,288,681 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $2,473,092 | $2,406,468 | $66,624 | $9,512,152 | $486,124 | $9,026,028 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $2,461,061 | $2,357,414 | $103,647 | $9,305,253 | $480,103 | $8,825,150 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $9,470,979
- of which government grants
- $8,334,340
- Membership dues
- $220,867
- Program service revenue
- $1,630,270
- Investment income
- $261,585
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $14,368
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$19,031
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $222,325
- Other revenue
- $209,600
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $154,399
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,320,190
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,736,336
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $127,026
- Travel
- $4,468
- Depreciation
- $120,049
- Program services (functional)
- $1,899,424
- Management and general (functional)
- $490,714
- Fundraising (functional)
- $228,481
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $9,512,152
- Total assets, end of year
- $19,990,080
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,701,399
- Net assets, end of year
- $18,288,681
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $12,332,294
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $5,534,662
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $12,754,019
- Gross unrelated business income
- $445,413
- Gross receipts
- $13,679,440
- Employees
- 54
- Volunteers
- 115
- Year formed
- 1981
- State of legal domicile
- NY
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Grajek | CEO/President Officer | 40 | $139,437 | $15,674 |
| DEBORAH ZIOLKOWSKI | DIR. OF FINANCE(TO 10/2/25) Officer | 40 | $14,962 | $455 |
| Miche Needham CPA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Paulette M Crooke | DIRECTOR/ASSISTANT SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Bryan DeBroka | DIRECTOR / TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Kim LaVare | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| George Cameron | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Jim Charlier | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Rose Ann Dulski | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Thomas Gaffney | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Charles Brandy | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Phil Kadet | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Tatiana Merrick | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Alexis McColgin | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| Kimberly Nason | DIRECTOR/VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
16 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Nevergold | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Joe Sullivan | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Allison Sagraves | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Rachel Silva | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Phil Snyder | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Erik Solomon | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Thomas Wrinn | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Jason Hurley | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Robert Lowery | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Tracy Cichocki | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| TEGAN CAPUTI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| ANDY DRILLING | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| BRIAN HERRMANN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| TISHA LUCIANI | DIRECTOR/CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 |
| COLLEEN QUINN SHANAHAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MICHAEL VRANJES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 29 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ERIN GRAJEK | CEO/PRESIDENT (FROM 12/2/24) Officer | 40 | $118,739 | $14,117 |
| MARK MORTENSON | CEO/PRESIDENT (TO 9/13/24) Officer | 40 | $124,165 | $8,076 |
| TERRY MICKELSON | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE/HR (TO 10/4/24) Officer | 40 | $65,543 | $61 |
| TISHA LUCIANI | DIRECTOR/CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHE NEEDHAM CPA | DIRECTOR/VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAULETTE M CROOKE | DIRECTOR /SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRYAN DEBROKA | DIRECTOR / TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KIM LAVARE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GEORGE CAMERON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM CHARLIER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROSE ANN DULSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS GAFFNEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLES BRANDY FROM MARCH 2024 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TED JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PHIL KADET | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TATIANA MERRICK FROM JUNE 2024 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALEXIS MCCOLGIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY NASON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BARBARA NEVERGOLD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE SULLIVAN FROM JUNE 2024 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALLISON SAGRAVES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RACHEL SILVA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PHIL SNYDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIK SOLOMON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN SPAULDING MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS WRINN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON HURLEY | EX OFFICIO Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT LOWERY | EX OFFICIO Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACY CICHOCKI | EX OFFICIO Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 29 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARK MORTENSON | CEO/PRESIDENT Officer | 40 | $153,672 | $10,051 |
| ERIN GRAJEK | COO Officer | 40 | $102,142 | $14,008 |
| TERRY MICKELSON | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE/HR Officer | 40 | $77,890 | $2,401 |
| TISHA LUCIANI | DIRECTOR/CHAIRPERSON Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHE NEEDHAM CPA | DIRECTOR/VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PAULETTE M CROOKE | DIRECTOR /SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MAGGIE HOOPER | DIRECTOR/ASST SECRETARY (TO 4/26/23) Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRYAN DEBROKA | DIRECTOR / TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GEORGE CAMERON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM CHARLIER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROSE ANN DULSKI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS GAFFNEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN HERRMANN TO 4302023 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TED JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PHIL KADET | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY ANN KRESSE TO 662023 | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALEXIS MCCOLGIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY NASON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BARBARA NEVERGOLD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CATHY PALADINO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ALLISON SAGRAVES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| RACHEL SILVA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PHIL SNYDER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ERIK SOLOMON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN SPAULDING MD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS WRINN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON HURLEY | EX OFFICIO Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT LOWERY | EX OFFICIO Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TRACY CICHOCKI | EX OFFICIO Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2655 S PARK AVE, BUFFALO, NY 14218-1526
- In care of
- % THE ORGANIZATION
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- TISHA LUCIANI, 2655 SOUTH PARK AVENUE, BUFFALO, NY 14218
- Signed the 990
- TISHA LUCIANI, BOARD CHAIR
- Phone
- (716) 827-1584
- Website
- WWW.BUFFALOGARDENS.COM
- Return prepared by
- WITHUM SMITH BROWN PC
Mission
THE MISSION OF THE BUFFALO AND ERIE BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY, INC. IS TO DEEPEN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PEOPLE AND PLANTS THROUGH BEAUTIFUL GARDENS AND EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCES.
Program accomplishments
- HORTICULTURE & PLANT COLLECTION - The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens meticulously cares for a permanent collection of approximately 5,400 plants, representing plant species from every continent. Our horticultural team also curates an additional 43,000 plants as part of their rotating and engaging plant exhibitions. Through careful stewardship, we ensure the preservation and propagation of plant species, enhancing the garden's beauty and educational value. In addition to our regular maintenance, we also introduce new plant varieties and seasonal displays, keeping the Botanical Gardens dynamic and ever-changing.Expenses $670,245
- GUEST SERVICES - In 2025, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens welcomed over 100,000 visitors, providing an enriching full-sensory experience amidst stunning architecture and serene garden sanctuaries. As a living museum and tourist destination, we generate 50% of our operating budget through admissions and internal events. Our guest services team ensures every visitor enjoys a memorable and inspiring journey through our indoor and outdoor gardens and exhibits. We also offer tailored experiences for different visitor groups, including guided tours, special events, and interactive activities. Our commitment to exceptional guest service creates a welcoming atmosphere that encourages repeat visits and strong community engagement.Expenses $421,423 · revenue $1,123,540
- EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS - The Botanical Gardens hosted over 14,000 students and adults in 2025, offering a wide range of educational programs designed to foster a love for nature and horticulture. Our programs, tailored for all ages, emphasize interactive learning and environmental stewardship. By connecting learners with the natural world, we cultivate future generations of environmental advocates and informed citizens. In addition to our on-site programs, we provide outreach initiatives that extend our educational impact into the community. Our partnerships with schools and local organizations further enhance our ability to deliver impactful and inclusive educational experiences.Expenses $317,484 · revenue $83,391
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 22-2514024
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1989
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C410)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $19,990,080
- Income (IRS master file)
- $13,679,440
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $11,572,434 | $2,618,619 | $19,990,080 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $2,473,092 | $2,406,468 | $9,512,152 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $2,461,061 | $2,357,414 | $9,305,253 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $4,323,201 | $2,181,947 | $8,963,985 | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 22-2514024).
Questions about BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC
- What is the EIN of BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC is 22-2514024.
- Is BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1989.
- Are donations to BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names TISHA LUCIANI.
- Who are the officers and directors of BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 31 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $139,437 (Erin Grajek, CEO/President).
- How much revenue does BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $11,572,434, expenses of $2,618,619 and total assets of $19,990,080 at year end.
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