Tohono Chul Park Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Arts & engagementtohono chul's arts and cultural programming celebrates the diversity of the southwest with an emphasis on the relationship between people, place, and the sonoran desert environment. Programming includes rotating exhibitions, lectures, workshops, performances, and interpretive experiences designed to foster cultural awareness and environmental understanding.tohono chul maintains three galleries located in a historic 1937 residence. During fiscal year 2025, rotating exhibitions displayed 901 works by 164 artists. Main gallery exhibitions included the exotic sublime | treading softly, exploring terrestrial biodiversity in the sonoran desert; the exotic sublime | on plants, focusing on plant life across desert landscapes; jim waid and andy iventosch: the heart of nature; 40 for 40, an invitational exhibition honoring tohono chul's 40th anniversary; and impressions in place, examining artistic interpretations of place and identity.three calls for entries were issued during the year with no submission fee, supporting access for emerging and established artists. Four public opening receptions were held in the main gallery, each free and open to the public, followed by curator's talks offered with admission. Musical accompaniment at openings was provided by regional musicians.the entry and welcome galleries featured solo exhibitions by Arizona artists moira geoffrion and norah siller, as well as permanent collection exhibitions including beginnings: the wilson gift and new perspectives, a volunteer and docent curated exhibition. The entry gallery project space hosted three solo exhibitions. Annual exhibitions including queen of the night and 10 x 10 | a fundraiser continued. Sculptural works were incorporated into the garden pavilion in conjunction with summer programming.additional engagement activities included art talks with exhibiting artists and a presentation on navajo textiles and southwest basketry.fiscal year 2025 also marked the return of the annual chiles, chocolate, and day of the dead festival. The art department collaborated with three schools, engaging 131 students, and 12 artists who created personal altars of remembrance for the altar project, introducing visitors to the customs and traditions associated with da de los muertos. The festival also featured musical and dance performances reflecting regional cultural traditions.educational and engagement initiatives extended beyond exhibitions. The children's museum introduced thunderstorm thursdays, a summer series focused on monsoon related themes. Partnerships continued with tucson bird alliance for birding programs and with sarsef through summer camp programming centered on sonoran desert ecology. We also hosted a lecture celebrating the release of the southwest native plant primer, authored by tohono chul's gardens manager and engagement manager, highlighting native plant conservation and resilient landscape practices. A public program marking the 25th anniversary of the wild chile botanical area further emphasized the ecological and cultural importance of crop wild relatives.volunteer engagement was strengthened through the relaunch of our volunteer program, onboarding 144 new volunteers. During the year, we redesigned our docent training program, developed a new guided tour titled discovering tohono chul, and began accepting applications for a new cohort of docents, with training scheduled to begin in 2026.through these initiatives, tohono chul continued to advance its work as a community centered organization dedicated to education, cultural connection, and stewardship of the sonoran desert.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 91.4%; rating input score 91
• Program expense ratio: 78%; rating input score 78
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.35 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • 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; 63rd 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: 7.3%; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.73; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.05; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.2%; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 13.4% per year; rating input score 100; 74th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.2% per year; rating input score 100; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3% per year; rating input score 100; 24th percentile among comparable filings