Wylde Center

What it reported doing in 2024

For the year ended June 30, 2025, Wylde Center fulfilled its mission through the following programs: CONSERVATION: Urban greenspace conservation and native habitat restoration provide communities with access to nature in the neighborhoods where they live.Wylde Center preserves eight acres of greenspace at five sites (Oakhurst Garden, Sugar Creek Garden, Hawk Hollow, Edgewood Community Learning Garden, and Mulberry Fields Garden), located in four different Decatur and Atlanta neighborhoods across 7 acres. Wylde Center's management of these greenspaces is coupled with impactful, hands-on environmental education for adults and youth, conservation efforts, demonstrations in the gardens, and community food production. Urban greenspace conservation is critical to increasing biodiversity that is threatened by urban over-development. EDUCATION: Environmental science, gardening, and healthy-living education programs to foster a deeper understanding of science, technology, arts, engineering, and math (STEAM) and improve student academic achievement. Wylde Center has one of the largest environmental education programs in our region. Wylde Centers environmental science, gardening, and healthy-living education programs foster a deeper understanding of science, technology, arts, engineering, and math (STEAM) and improve student academic achievement. Wylde Centers programs reach school-aged children throughout the Metro-Atlanta area. Through the Wylde Centers standards-based curriculum, students increase knowledge in all subject areas, with a particular focus on science and natural systems (STEM). On average, the Organization hosts 2,500 school-age children each year for field trips at its four sites, and through its in-school programs, the Wylde Center records 20,000 student interactions with more than 20 schools across the region. Programs at theOrganizations partner schools take place both in the classroom and on the school grounds, many of which have natural areas and vegetable gardens used for hands-on learning. Field trips to the Organizations greenspaces encourage students to explore academic classroom content with a hands-on, experiential approach that inspires curiosity and reinforces learning. Wylde Centers education programs:-Increase time spent outdoors for school-aged children interacting with the natural world through hands-on activities, exploration, and play during field trips, school programs, and camps-Increase exposure to fresh fruits and vegetables through taste tests and cooking classes-Benefit people and the environment through hands-on learning experiences about sustainable living practices PLANT DISTRIBUTION: The plant nursery operation and seasonal plant sales increase access to edible and native plants for community gardens, home gardens, and urban farms.Wylde Centers plant nursery produces over 80,000 seedlings each year for sale to the community. Last year, 5,000 seedlings were donated to school gardens, community gardens, urban farms, and other community partners with food-access programs. Wylde Centers plant nursery increases the amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are grown and consumed in our local community. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Community garden plots, volunteering, and outreach through events and classes that promote gardening, healthy living, sustainability, and a connection to the natural world.Wylde Center is a leader in metro-Atlanta for its robust gardening and education programs. Wylde Center offers lifelong learning opportunities to build environmental awareness, promote sustainability, support community gardening, and connect members of the public with the natural world. Through community garden plots, engaging public events, hands-on workshops, and meaningful opportunities to volunteer, community members gain knowledge and skills. The Organization offers nature and gardening programs for families, nature enthusiasts, and the curious novice. These programs bring value to the four gree

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 39.2%; rating input score 39
• Program expense ratio: 65.6%; rating input score 66
• Fundraising efficiency: $9.33 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• 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: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Fail
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 40.3%; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.93; rating input score 81; 81st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.24; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.9%; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 8.5% per year; rating input score 100; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 13.9% per year; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 16.4% per year; rating input score 100; 75th percentile among comparable filings