Native Plant Society of New Mexico

What it reported doing in 2024

In January, 2024, the Native Plant Society of New Mexico (NPSNM, doing business as the Carter Conservation Fund) awarded 7 grants through our Carter Conservation Fund in a competitive process, totaling $11,600. The grants were spread widely around our New Mexico and Western Texas service area and represented a diverse group of projects. In addition, we gave $3000 ($600 each) to 5 regional herbaria, gave a $500 Teacher of the Year Award, and in the summer, gave a $500 Conservation Champion Award. The Gila Chapter (Silver City) received a grant for $49,865 for implementation of phase one of their Master Plan for the Silva Creek Botanical Garden. This is a native plant botanical garden in Silver City. The money is to be used over a two-year period. Our state has recently become a part of the Oregon State University Extension Master Melittologist Program. In cooperation with that program, and because pollination is essential for native plants, NPSNM designed and offered a week-long workshop called, "New Mexico's Native Bees: Exploring Ecosystem Services, Ecology, and Identification." The workshop was taught by Olivia Carril, an independent melittologist, in Santa Fe. The workshop was attended by members from five of our seven chapters as well as some additional professionals from the broader community of native plant enthusiasts. Our Conservation Committee submitted 5 comment letters on behalf of our organization, as well as a letter of support for a sister organization seeking a grant. Our Taos chapter held our annual conference, in Taos, July 25-28, 2024, which drew participants from across New Mexico and Western Texas. Knowledgeable presenters, a student poster session, field trips and social events all helped to spread our mission. Four NPSNM chapters (Gila, Taos, Otero and El Paso) run annual native plant sales that offer quality native plants, some of which are hard to find in the commercial market. These native plant sales are open to the public, which also helps to spread the mission of NPSNM. Throughout the year, our seven chapters hold many quality programs and field trips open to our members as well as the general public.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 35.2%; rating input score 35
• Program expense ratio: 79.8%; rating input score 80
• Fundraising efficiency: $20.21 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 90.9%; rating input score 91; 13th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 57.6%; rating input score 58; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 3 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 43
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 61.4%; rating input score 94; 94th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.71; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 80; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: 8.3% per year; rating input score 100; 67th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 6.4% per year; rating input score 100; 53rd percentile among comparable filings