PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC

Financials

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 September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

1 SCHENLEY PARK, PITTSBURGH, PA 15213-3830

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

RICHARD PIACENTINI, ONE SCHENLEY PARK, PITTSBURGH, PA 15213

Signed the 990

KELSEY SMALL, CFO

Phone

(412) 622-6915

Website

WWW.PHIPPS.CONSERVATORY.ORG

Return prepared by

SCHNEIDER DOWNS & CO INC

Mission

PHIPPS' MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND EDUCATE ALL WITH THE BEAUTY AND IMPORTANCE OF PLANTS, TO ADVANCE SUSTAINABILITY AND PROMOTE HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL WELL-BEING THROUGH ACTION AND RESEARCH, AND TO CELEBRATE ITS HISTORIC GLASSHOUSE.

Program accomplishments

• OVERVIEW/HORTICULTURE: IN 2025, PHIPPS REMAINED AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE PUBLIC GARDEN MOVEMENT AS ONE OF THE NATION'S SELECT CERTIFIED BOTANIC MUSEUMS, ADVANCING ITS REGENERATIVE OPERATING MODEL TO REINFORCE A MORE RESILIENT INSTITUTION. FOLLOWING ITS PRIOR RECEIPT OF THE IMLS NATIONAL MEDAL FOR MUSEUMS, THE FIELD'S HIGHEST HONOR FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT, AND THE EPA GREEN POWER LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY INNOVATION, PHIPPS CONTINUED ITS NATIONAL ASCENT WHEN NEWSWEEK NAMED IT THE NATION'S BEST BOTANICAL GARDEN. FROM WORLD - CLASS EXHIBITS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION TO BOLD SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES, PHIPPS DELIVERED INSPIRING EXPERIENCES AND MEASURABLE PROGRAMS THAT ENRICH LIVES AND RESTORE THE NATURAL WORLD. SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O.AS A PREMIER CULTURAL DESTINATION, PHIPPS DRIVES REGIONAL TOURISM, STRENGTHENS PITTSBURGH'S CIVIC IDENTITY, AND CONTRIBUTES MEANINGFULLY TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.HORTICULTURE: SINCE OPENING IN 1893 AS THE NATION'S FIRST LARGE-SCALE PERMANENT GARDEN CONSERVATORY - AND BEING RECOGNIZED AS THE FIRST TEACHING ONE IN 1901 - PHIPPS HAS REMAINED A LEADER IN CONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE THROUGH THE BEAUTY AND SCIENCE OF PLANTS. TODAY, AS ONE OF THE FEW PUBLIC GARDENS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS, PHIPPS CONTINUES TO SET THE STANDARD FOR HORTICULTURAL EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION.WITH FIVE MAJOR SEASONAL FLOWER SHOWS AND A DYNAMIC CALENDAR OF ROTATING EXHIBITIONS, PHIPPS BRINGS THE WORLD OF PLANTS TO LIFE IN INNOVATIVE AND EDUCATIONAL WAYS, WELCOMING GUESTS FROM ACROSS THE REGION AND BEYOND TO EXPLORE HOW PLANTS CONTRIBUTE TO HEALTHIER LIVES AND COMMUNITIES. LOCATED IN THE HEART OF PITTSBURGH'S HISTORIC URBAN PARK DISTRICT AND ADJACENT TO LEADING UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, PHIPPS SERVES AS A SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE, CONTRIBUTING TO TOURISM, LIFELONG LEARNING, AND REGIONAL VITALITY WITHIN ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST FORWARD-LOOKING CITIES.PHIPPS' INTEGRATED LEARNING AND INNOVATION CAMPUS INCLUDES 14 INDOOR GLASSHOUSE ROOMS, EIGHT OUTDOOR GARDEN ROOMS, AND THREE HIGH-PERFORMANCE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH BUILDINGS. THESE LIVING LABORATORIES DEMONSTRATE SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPES, AND ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES WHILE PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE, PLANT-BASED EDUCATION TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES. THROUGH IMMERSIVE EXHIBITS, RESEARCH INITIATIVES, AND PUBLIC PROGRAMMING, PHIPPS FOSTERS CURIOSITY, STRENGTHENS ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY, AND PROMOTES RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF NATURAL RESOURCES - REINFORCING THE ESSENTIAL CONNECTION BETWEEN HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL WELLBEING AND ADVANCING A GREENER, MORE RESILIENT FUTURE FOR THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES.
  Expenses $2,826,145
• GUEST SERVICES: IN 2025, PHIPPS CONSERVATORY WELCOMED MORE THAN 420,000 ONSITE GUESTS FROM 46 COUNTRIES AND 1.6 MILLION VIRTUAL VISITORS FROM ACROSS THE NATION AND GLOBE INTO AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE NATURE, SCIENCE, ART, AND SUSTAINABILITY INTERSECT IN MEANINGFUL AND EDUCATIONAL WAYS. THROUGH PRUDENT PLANNING AND DISCIPLINED SCENARIO FORECASTING, PHIPPS NAVIGATED SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC PRESSURES WHILE MAINTAINING OPERATIONAL STABILITY AND POSITIONING THE ORGANIZATION FOR SUSTAINED GROWTH AND CONTINUED INNOVATION.SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O.AS ONE OF THE REGION'S LEADING CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GARDEN MUSEUM, PHIPPS PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR VISITORS TO CONNECT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD AND LEARN PRACTICAL AND INNOVATIVE APPPROACHES TO HEALTHIER, MORE SUSTAINABLE LIVING. EXHIBITS, SEASONAL FLOWER SHOWS, IMMERSIVE TROPICAL FOREST ENVIRONMENTS, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING ENCOURAGE GUESTS OF ALL AGES TO EXPLORE BIODIVERSITY, SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.GUESTS JOURNEY THROUGH SOARING GLASS PAVILIONS, EXPLORE DIVERSE BIOMES AND GLOBAL GARDEN TRADITIONS, AND ENCOUNTER INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS THAT REVEAL THE ASTONISHING COMPLEXITY OF THE ROLE OF PLANTS IN THE WEB OF LIFE. IN THE NEW TROPICAL FOREST PANAMA EXHIBIT, CHILDREN RAISE THEIR ARMS TO MIMIC TOWERING TREES; IN THE SERENE OUTDOOR GARDEN ROOMS, FAMILIES STROLL THROUGH LANDSCAPES DESIGNED FOR BOTH REFLECTION, REFRESHMENT, REGENERATION, AND INSTRUCTION.THE JOURNEY CONTINUES OUTDOORS ACROSS OUR 3.6-ACRE LIVING CAMPUS, HOME TO THREE OF THE WORLD'S PIONEERING HIGH-PERFORMANCE GREEN BUILDINGS. HERE, VISITORS SEE FIRSTHAND HOW HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ARE INTERCONNECTED, AND HOW THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT CAN HARMONIZE WITH NATURE TO MODEL A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. THIS IS MORE THAN A GARDEN DISPLAY - IT'S A LIVING, BREATHING CLASSROOM, A RESTORATIVE DESTINATION, AND A FIRST-DAY TOURIST ATTRACTION. IT'S WHERE PITTSBURGH RESIDENTS AND GLOBAL TRAVELERS ALIKE FIND BEAUTY, INSPIRATION, AND PRACTICAL TOOLS TO LIVE IN GREATER HARMONY WITH THE PLANET.WHEN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC NAMED PITTSBURGH ONE OF THE WORLD'S BEST DESTINATIONS, IT POINTED TO PHIPPS AS EMBLEMATIC OF THE CITY'S TRANSFORMATION - A PLACE WHERE HERITAGE MEETS INNOVATION AND WHERE THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING IS BEING SHAPED, EVERY DAY.
  Expenses $2,677,475 · revenue $6,314,217
• EDUCATION: AS AMERICA'S FIRST PUBLIC TEACHING CONSERVATORY, PHIPPS HAS BEEN AN INNOVATOR, COMMUNITY-ANCHOR, AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR SINCE 1893 - COMBINING THE BEAUTY OF GARDENS WITH THE POWER OF PLANT-BASED SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES TO SHAPE A BETTER FUTURE. TODAY, PHIPPS CONTINUES TO LEAD WITH BOLD VISION AND PURPOSE, OFFERING HANDS-ON, INQUIRY-BASED PROGRAMS THAT EMPOWER LEARNERS OF ALL AGES TO EXPLORE, CREATE, AND ACT.OUR APPROACH TO EDUCATION IS ROOTED IN A REGENERATIVE APPROACH AND MAKER MINDSET - WHERE IMAGINATION, EXPERIMENTATION, AND DISCOVERY DRIVE MEANINGFUL LEARNING. SEE CONTINUATION ON SCHEDULE O.EACH CALENDAR QUARTER, PHIPPS OFFERS MORE THAN 150 DYNAMIC CLASSES, SYMPOSIA, AND LECTURES, REACHING THOUSANDS OF PARTICIPANTS THROUGH ON-SITE, VIRTUAL, AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMING. FROM SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS TO NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED INITIATIVES LIKE THE FAIRCHILD CHALLENGE, AND THE ONE HEALTH ONE PLANET AND THE NATURE OF PLACE SYMPOSIA, PHIPPS CULTIVATES SCIENTIFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE NATURAL WORLD.AS A LIVING LABORATORY, PHIPPS DEMONSTRATES SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES THROUGH EVERY FACET OF ITS OPERATIONS - PROVIDING AN IMMERSIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN ACTION. GUESTS LEARN FROM THREE OF THE WORLD'S GREENEST BUILDINGS, DINE ON HEALTHY MEALS MADE WITH FRESH INGREDIENTS, AND DISCOVER HOW ZERO-ENERGY DESIGN, ON-SITE SOLAR POWER, AND FULL CARBON OFFSETTING CAN BE ACHIEVED IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.PHIPPS ALSO PLAYS A GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ROLE. OUR CLIMATE TOOLKIT NETWORK (CLIMATETOOLKIT.ORG) CONNECTS HUNDREDS OF MUSEUMS, GARDENS, ZOOS, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS WORLDWIDE TO SHARE ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS AND ACCELERATE IMPACT. WE ARE ADVANCING A MOVEMENT IN WHICH CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS BECOME POWERFUL DRIVERS OF BIODIVERSITY, COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, AND SUSTAINABLE ACTION.THROUGH THE BOTANY IN ACTION FELLOWSHIP, PHIPPS SUPPORTS OUTSTANDING PH.D. STUDENTS CONDUCTING PLANT-BASED RESEARCH AROUND THE WORLD WHILE TRAINING THEM IN PUBLIC COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, BIA HAS SUPPORTED 85 DOCTORAL-LEVEL STUDENTS REPRESENTING 42 UNIVERSITIES AND WORKING IN 29 COUNTRIES, PRODUCING CUTTING-EDGE SCIENCE WHILE DEEPENING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION SKILLS.NINE YEARS AGO, PHIPPS LAUNCHED THE NATION'S FIRST INSTITUTE FOR BIOPHILIA AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION, A BOLD INITIATIVE THAT PROVIDES TRAINING, INTERNSHIPS, AND CERTIFICATIONS TO HELP SCIENTISTS AND STUDENTS STUDY AND SHARE HOW CONNECTIONS WITH NATURE ENHANCE HUMAN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.EDUCATION AT PHIPPS EQUIPS FUTURE LEADERS, SCIENTISTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION, AND PUBLIC HEALTH - ADVANCING A MORE RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE.
  Expenses $1,288,000 · grants $42,000 · revenue $629,504
• INCLUDED IN OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES ARE DEPRECIATION, COSTS FOR MAINTAINING THE FACILITIES, INDIRECT LABOR AND OVERHEAD AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
  Expenses $9,092,207

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 September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

25-1492587

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

1985

Accounting year ends

September

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Environment (C410)

Assets (IRS master file)

$80,326,747

Income (IRS master file)

$22,182,430

Filing history

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 25-1492587).

Questions about PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC

What is the EIN of PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC?

The employer identification number (EIN) of PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC is 25-1492587.

Is PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1985.

Are donations to PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS 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 PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.

Who is the principal officer of PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC?

The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names RICHARD PIACENTINI.

Who are the officers and directors of PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC?

The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 51 people; 8 received compensation from the organization, the highest $631,119 (RICHARD PIACENTINI, PRESIDENT AND CEO).

How much revenue does PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC have?

On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $16,088,921, expenses of $18,068,207 and total assets of $80,326,747 at year end.

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