Desert Botanical Garden

What it reported doing in 2024

Horticulture - propagating & maintaining a living plant collection of over 50,000 desert plants with particular emphasis on those inhabiting the sonoran desert, many of which are endangered species. This program also works to preserve desert plant life outside of its collection by educating the public regarding the beauty, variety and fragility of desert plant life by displaying and interpreting its collection for the public at its garden in phoenix, az which in the current year attracted over 520,000 visitors from all over the world. Education - provides programming for children, adults, and educators that promote greater enjoyment, understanding and stewardship of the sonoran desert. (continued on schedule o)children's programming at the desert botanical garden promotes a scientifically and environmentally literate community through hands-on, nature-based learning, and garden staff and resources. These place-based experiences inspire a connection to the unique wonders of the sonoran desert, encourage conservation of the natural world, and ignite a life-long appreciation for the environment. Informal programs span the ages of infants to teenagers alongside their caregivers through inquiry-based investigations that incorporate art, science, music, and much more.in fy2025, the children and family team at desert botanical garden engaged more than 28,000 visitors through a diverse portfolio of educational programs and family-focused experiences. Collectively, these offerings advanced the garden's mission to connect people of all ages with the plants, people, and ecology of the sonoran desert.the cactus clubhouse served as a central hub for family engagement. Open from october 18 through may 17, thursday-sunday from 9:00 a.m. To 3:00 p.m., this nature-based play space welcomed over 18,000 visitors, including more than 12,000 children. Access to the clubhouse was included with general garden admission and membership, reinforcing the garden's commitment to inclusive, hands-on learning.an additional 6,000 visitors participated in children's education programming during free community days held in the binns pavilion. These programs were delivered in partnership with regional organizations such as Arizona game and fish, tempe public library, and phoenix herpetological sanctuary, strengthening community connections and expanding educational reach.the children and family department also collaborated with the events department to deliver educational programming during major garden events, including the plants and people of the sonoran desert festival, strange garden, and luminaria, integrating learning opportunities into high-attendance experiences.after a post-covid pause, dbg-led field trips resumed in fy2025, welcoming nearly 4,000 students and chaperones back to the garden for on-site learning. Summer camp continued to grow as a signature offering, with multiple camps held each week in june and 122 children ages 8-13 participating in immersive, hands-on experiences.ongoing weekly programming further extended engagement across seasons. Storytime activities, offered in the cactus clubhouse throughout the spring and summer, centered on sonoran desert flora and fauna and engaged 630 children and caregivers. Seedlings classes, designed for children ages 2-6 and their caregivers, promoted early nature-based play and reached more than 110 participants over a two-month period.equity and access remained a priority throughout the year. Through the caecom community pass program, the children's education team partnered with organizations serving underprivileged youth to provide free, facilitated days at the garden. Partners included atabey outdoors, boys and girls club, free arts for abused children of Arizona, and asu's migratory student summer academy, among others. These experiences positively impacted more than 500 children.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 73.6%; rating input score 74
• Program expense ratio: 72.7%; rating input score 73
• Fundraising efficiency: $2.34 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 8; 8th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 9%; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.16; rating input score 76; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.08; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.2%; rating input score 34; 34th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.5% per year; rating input score 100; 38th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.9% per year; rating input score 100; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 10.7% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings