FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN

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 October 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

10901 OLD CUTLER RD, MIAMI, FL 33156-4233

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

CARL LEWIS, 10901 OLD CUTLER ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33156

Signed the 990

BRUCE W GREER, PRESIDENT

Phone

(305) 667-1651

Website

WWW.FAIRCHILDGARDEN.ORG

Return prepared by

GUTIERREZ MADARIAGA CPA PA

Mission

WE HARNESS THE POWER OF PLANTS FOR HUMANKIND AND SHARE THE JOY AND BEAUTY OF TROPICAL GARDENING WITH EVERYONE. FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN IS A MUSEUM OF TROPICAL PLANTS WITHIN A WORLD FAMOUS, 83-ACRE DESIGNED LANDSCAPE. IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1936 TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF DR. DAVID FAIRCHILD, THE NATION'S FOREMOST BOTANICAL EXPLORER. THE GARDEN'S FOUNDERS ENVISIONED AN INSTITUTION THAT WOULD FOSTER SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY WHILE INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE BEAUTY AND PLANT DIVERSITY FOUND IN THE TROPICS. TODAY, FAIRCHILD IS THE BEST PLACE IN THE CONTINENTAL USA TO SEE AND STUDY TROPICAL PLANTS. IT IS A CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC RESOURCE FOR THE NATION AND THE WORLD. FAIRCHILD IS THE LARGEST BOTANICAL INSTITUTION IN THE MIAMI/SOUTH FLORIDA METROPOLITAN AREA AND AN ATTRACTION FOR VISITORS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD. IT ADVANCES, BRINGS AWARENESS TO, AND ENGAGES THE PUBLIC IN THE FIELD OF BOTANY, WHICH AIMS TO (1) UNDERSTAND PLANTS AND HOW THEY WORK, (2) MAXIMIZE THE VALUE OF P

Program accomplishments

• PLANT INTRODUCTION AND HORTICULTURE- THE SOUTHEASTERN TIP OF THE FLORIDA PENINSULA HAS A TROPICAL MONSOONAL CLIMATE UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN THE USA. WITH YEAR-ROUND WARMTH AND RAINY SUMMERS, FAIRCHILD CAN GROW MANY OF THE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT, BEAUTIFUL, UNUSUAL, AND ENDANGERED TROPICAL PLANTS. THE GARDEN INCLUDES A RAINFOREST, DESERT GARDENS, PONDS AND LAKES, RARE PLANT CONSERVATORIES, A GARDEN FOR NATIVE BUTTERFLIES, A CONSERVATORY FOR EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES, A NATURE TRAIL, AND SPECIAL SECTIONS EXHIBITING PALMS, VINES, AND TROPICAL TREES. SEPARATE FROM ITS MAIN CAMPUS, FAIRCHILD OPERATES A PLANT NURSERY AND A 20-ACRE TROPICAL FRUIT FARM. KEY COLLECTIONS INCLUDE PALMS, CYCADS, TROPICAL FRUIT TREES, AND ORCHIDS. BEGINNING WITH EXPEDITIONS LED BY DR. DAVID FAIRCHILD IN THE 1930S AND 1940S, THE GARDEN'S SCIENTISTS HAVE ACQUIRED NEW SPECIES OF TROPICAL PLANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. THE BEST OF THESE PLANTS EARN A PERMANENT SPOT IN FAIRCHILD'S LIVING COLLECTION AND ARE SHARED WITH LOCAL GARDENERS AND THE BROADER HORTICULTURAL COMMUNITY. TODAY, FAIRCHILD WORKS WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND NATIONS WORLDWIDE TO EXCHANGE SPECIMENS AND BRING NEW PLANTS INTO CULTIVATION. RECENT ACQUISITIONS INCLUDE TROPICAL DESERT PLANTS, FRUIT TREES, AQUATIC PLANTS, AND ORCHIDS FROM ALL PARTS OF THE TROPICS. SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION- FAIRCHILD'S LIVING COLLECTION, HERBARIUM, LIBRARY, AND LABORATORIES SUPPORT A UNIQUE SET OF RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE OF TROPICAL PLANTS AND HELP SAVE RARE PLANTS AND ECOSYSTEMS. A DIVERSE TEAM OF STAFF, STUDENTS, AND VOLUNTEERS COLLABORATE ON FIELD BIOLOGY, MOLECULAR RESEARCH, MICROPROPAGATION, AND BIODIVERSITY STUDIES. FAIRCHILD'S TEAM IS CONSTANTLY TEACHING AND LEARNING FROM VISITORS, MEMBERS, STUDENTS, VOLUNTEERS AND THE COMMUNITY OF SCIENTISTS WORLDWIDE. CURRENT SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS INCLUDE STUDIES OF ORCHID ECOLOGY AND RESTORATION, THE EVOLUTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF PALMS, RESTORATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND CARIBBEAN ECOSYSTEMS, THE EVOLUTION OF PLANTS ON TROPICAL ISLANDS, AND INTERACTIONS AMONG BIRDS, INSECTS, AND TROPICAL PLANTS. FAIRCHILD STANDS OUT AMONG THE WORLD'S BOTANICAL INSTITUTIONS IN ITS HIGH LEVEL OF CITIZEN SCIENCE, HAVING SEVERAL PROJECTS THAT ENGAGE THE BROADER COMMUNITY IN ADDRESSING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS IN PLANT BIOLOGY. FAIRCHILD HAS THREE LARGE CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAMS: (1) CONNECT TO PROTECT, DISTRIBUTING RARE SOUTH FLORIDA NATIVE PLANTS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND SCHOOLS TO INCREASE THE REPRESENTATION OF NATIVE FLORA IN URBAN LANDSCAPES AND STUDY BROADER ECOSYSTEM BENEFITS; (2) MILLION ORCHID PROJECT, WORKING WITH STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND SCIENTISTS, TO STUDY STRATEGIES FOR BRINGING SOUTH FLORIDA'S NATIVE ORCHIDS BACK FROM THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION; AND (3) GROWING BEYOND EARTH, FAIRCHILD'S PARTNERSHIP WITH NASA THAT ENGAGES HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL CLASSROOMS NATIONWIDE IN RESEARCH TO IMPROVE PLANT GROWTH AND FOOD PRODUCTION IN SPACE. EDUCATION: CONTINUING EDUCATION, SCHOOL PROGRAMS, INTERPRETATION & PUBLICATIONS, VOLUNTEER & VISITOR SERVICES PROGRAMS- FAIRCHILD IS THE REGION'S LEADING SOURCE OF BOTANICAL EDUCATION, CONNECTING THE BROADER COMMUNITY WITH THE WORLD OF PLANTS AND RELATED TOPICS IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM).THE GARDEN OFFERS A DIVERSITY OF AWARD-WINNING PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-AGE STUDENTS, CREDIT AND NON-CREDIT COURSES FOR UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES AND GRADUATES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATORS, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS. THE AWARD WINNING, INTERDISCIPLINARY, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE COMPETITION, THE FAIRCHILD CHALLENGE, IS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE STUDENTS OF DIVERSE INTERESTS, ABILITIES, TALENTS, AND BACKGROUNDS TO EXPLORE THE WORLD OF PLANTS. REACHING OVER 125,000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY, THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A BENCHMARK FOR EXCEPTIONAL STEM EDUCATION AND FOR EMPOWERING PREK-12TH GRADE STUDENTS TO BECOME THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS AND ADVOCATES FOR PLANTS. THE FAIRCHILD CHALLENGE HAS BECOME A MODEL BEYOND SOUTH FLORIDA, INFLUENCING PROGRAMS NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. FAIRCHILD'S FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS ENGAGE THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FROM HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS EACH YEAR. THE PROGRAMS IMMERSE YOUNG PEOPLE IN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AS THEY EXPERIENCE THE SCIENCE AND BEAUTY OF FAIRCHILD. DURING 2020, FAIRCHILD BEGAN OFFERING VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS ONLINE TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AS WELL AS SCHOOLS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE NATION AND WORLD. MORE THAN 2,000 PARTICIPANTS ATTEND FAIRCHILD'S CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES EACH YEAR. WITH A PORTFOLIO OF OVER 50 DIFFERENT CLASSES, TOPICS INCLUDE TROPICAL GARDENING, COOKING, ART, AND WELLNESS. SINCE 2014, FAIRCHILD HAS HOSTED BIOTECH @ RICHMOND 9-12, A PUBLIC MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO SPECIALIZE IN BOTANY. THE ONLY PROGRAM OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD, THE SCHOOL USES FAIRCHILD AS A VENUE FOR HANDS-ON LEARNING AND INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. COMMUNITY OUTREACH- FAIRCHILD IS A LEADING REGIONAL CULTURAL INSTITUTION AND FAVORITE VISITOR DESTINATION FOR BOTH TOURISTS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS. EVENTS SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL MANGO FESTIVAL, THE INTERNATIONAL ORCHID FESTIVAL, AND THE INTERNATIONAL CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL INCLUDE A STRONG EDUCATION COMPONENT. ADDITIONALLY, FAIRCHILD HORTICULTURISTS HAVE ONGOING PROJECTS IN PUBLIC SPACES THROUGHOUT MIAMI TO LABEL TROPICAL LANDSCAPE PLANTS. USING SMARTPHONE-ACCESSIBLE QR CODES, THE PLANT LABELS DELIVER PLANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING IMAGES AND VIDEOS, TO THE PUBLIC. INFRASTRUCTURE- A NEW HIGH-TECH WORK SPACE CALLED THE FAIRCHILD INNOVATION STUDIO OPENED WITHIN TWO NEWLY-RENOVATED BUILDINGS. WITH A FULL SUITE OF DIGITAL DESIGN AND FABRICATION EQUIPMENT, THE INNOVATION STUDIO ALLOWS STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CREATE NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR GROWING FOOD PLANTS. WITH A GRANT FROM NASA, THE INNOVATION STUDIO IS COORDINATING A SERIES OF DESIGN COMPETITIONS AIMED AT DESIGNING NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR GROWING PLANTS IN SPACE.
  Expenses $13,668,968 · revenue $3,514,417

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

IRS record

EIN

59-0668480

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

1937

Accounting year ends

October

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Environment (C420)

Assets (IRS master file)

$54,513,460

Income (IRS master file)

$14,681,457

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 59-0668480).

Questions about FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN

What is the EIN of FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN?

The employer identification number (EIN) of FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN is 59-0668480.

Is FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1937.

Are donations to FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN tax-deductible?

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

Which annual return does FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN 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 FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending October 31, 2026) is due March 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN last file with the IRS?

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

Who is the principal officer of FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN?

The 990 for the year ended October 31, 2025 names CARL LEWIS.

Who are the officers and directors of FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN?

The 990 for the year ended October 31, 2025 lists 38 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $228,088 (NANNETTE ZAPATA, DEPUTY DIREC).

How much revenue does FAIRCHILD TROPICAL BOTANIC GARDEN have?

On its 990 for the year ended October 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $14,464,407, expenses of $15,270,469 and total assets of $54,513,460 at year end.

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