Overview
What is Massachusetts Horticultural Society?
The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, established in 1829, is a nonprofit organization located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Spread across 36 acres, the society's garden, Elm Bank, is a historic site on the National Register of Historic Places, featuring landscapes designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm. The society provides a variety of gardens for visitors, including the Italianate Garden, New England Trial Garden, Weezie's Garden for children, and Bressingham Garden. The organization offers classes, workshops, and symposia for adults and children, focusing on horticulture, landscape design, and botany. They also run educational programs for youth, emphasizing the science of growing plants, healthy nutrition, and the importance of nature and the environment. Additionally, the society's library, the oldest horticultural library in the country, houses a vast collection of books related to early agriculture, horticulture, and landscape design. Membership in the Massachusetts Horticultural Society offers benefits such as free admission to the garden, exclusive access to their library, discounts on lectures and workshops, and reciprocal admission to gardens across the country. The society also hosts the Festival of Trees, a festive occasion that features beautifully decorated trees and various activities like garden lights, a model railroad display, and s'mores around a fire pit.
Official website here: www.masshort.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating 100%
The Massachusetts Horticultural Society has achieved a perfect score of 100% from Charity Navigator, indicating a strong commitment to accountability and finance. This rating is bolstered by the organization having a fully independent board, high scores in audits and oversight, and effective policies in place for conflict of interest and whistleblowing. The society demonstrates a robust financial structure, with program expenses constituting over 71% of its total budget, which suggests that a significant portion of its resources is dedicated to its mission.
Feedback from the general public presents a mixed view. Positive reviews highlight significant improvements at Elm Bank, the Society's property, with enhanced garden experiences and community-oriented initiatives, such as a chef's garden supplying food to local food banks. Users have noted the transformative changes made in recent years, suggesting effective management and revitalization efforts under new leadership.
Conversely, some reviews raise serious concerns about governance and transparency issues, pointing to a history of mismanagement and high turnover among directors. One reviewer reports past legal troubles that have impacted the organization's operations and financial stability, questioning the Society's transparency with its membership regarding these challenges. This divergence in user feedback indicates that while the organization is rated highly for its financial practices, there are lingering concerns about its management and communication with stakeholders.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator and Great Nonprofits.
What do the Facebook reviews say about Massachusetts Horticultural Society?
92% of 72 reviewers on Facebook recommend the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Here is a summary of their reviews:
Many members express their enthusiasm for the organization, highlighting it as a delightful community that offers engaging events and activities. The gardens are frequently praised for their beauty and exceptional quality, making it a wonderful place to visit and enjoy nature.
Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with members appreciating the vibrant atmosphere and the opportunity to share their experiences with friends. The society appears to fulfill its promise of providing enriching horticultural experiences for its audience.
This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.
Is Massachusetts Horticultural Society legitimate?
Massachusetts Horticultural Society is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Massachusetts Horticultural Society submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $239,606
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $767,337
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.masshort.org
What is the mission statement of Massachusetts Horticultural Society?
The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, established in 1829, is dedicated to promoting horticulture and cultivating the public's appreciation for plants and the environment. Their mission is to encourage the science and practice of horticulture, and to make it accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. Through various educational programs, they aim to educate adults and children about plants, healthy nutrition, and the importance of nature and the environment. The society offers classes, workshops, garden tours, and youth education programs focusing on the science of growing plants and the principles of gardening. They also maintain a library, which is the oldest horticultural library in the country, renowned for its collection of books related to early agriculture, horticulture, and landscape design. Membership in the Massachusetts Horticultural Society provides access to information, learning opportunities, and horticultural experiences, while supporting America's oldest horticultural institution.
Official website here: www.masshort.org
Who is the CEO of Massachusetts Horticultural Society?
James Hearsum is the Treasurer of Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
Official website here: www.masshort.org
What is the revenue of Massachusetts Horticultural Society?
Massachusetts Horticultural Society's revenue in 2022 was $2,698,580.
Official website here: www.masshort.org
Who are the executives of Massachusetts Horticultural Society and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Massachusetts Horticultural Society during 2022 was $30,513. There are 33 employees and 155 volunteers at Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
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Official website here: www.masshort.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Massachusetts Horticultural Society?
Massachusetts Horticultural Society's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.masshort.org
Learn more at the official website: www.masshort.org
Mission Statement of Massachusetts Horticultural Society
The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, established in 1829, is a renowned organization dedicated to fostering the science and practice of horticulture and encouraging the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. This nonprofit institution aims to provide engaging educational experiences and opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to learn about and appreciate the beauty and complexity of plants.
Located on 36 acres, the society's flagship location, The Garden at Elm Bank, offers a variety of beautiful gardens, including the historic Italianate garden designed by the Olmsted Brothers, the New England Trial Garden that tests plant varieties for hardiness in the region, and Weezie's Garden for Children, a whimsical space designed specifically for young visitors. The society also hosts a wide range of classes, workshops, and symposia for adults and children in its educational buildings, such as the Hunnewell Carriage House and the Putnam Building with wet labs.
In addition to its focus on horticulture education, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society also places a strong emphasis on youth education, with programs designed to teach children about the science of growing plants, healthy nutrition, and the importance of nature and the environment. The society's traveling PlantMobile workshop provides experiential educational programs for children in grades K-8, and it offers hands-on individual and group activities that are based on the Massachusetts Science and Technology Frameworks, STEM. During the summer season, programming for young children takes place in Weezie's Garden for Children.
Overall, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's mission is to inspire and educate people of all ages about the beauty and importance of plants and the environment, while also providing a welcoming and engaging space for the public to learn, grow, and appreciate the natural world.
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Impact
June, 2024
The Massachusetts Horticultural Society's impact is substantial in promoting the science and practice of horticulture and fostering the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. Through its expansive garden at Elm Bank, encompassing 36 acres with various gardens including the historic Italianate garden designed by the Olmsted Brothers, the Society provides opportunities for both adults and children from diverse backgrounds to experience, learn, and connect with nature.
Additionally, the Society's educational programs for adults offer a wide selection of horticultural, gardening, and environmental lectures and workshops, catering to individuals at all levels of expertise. For youth, educational initiatives focus on plant science, healthy nutrition, and environmental awareness, with programs like the Plantmobile bringing hands-on learning experiences to students in grades K-8.
Furthermore, the Society's horticultural library, renowned for its collection of books related to agriculture, horticulture, and landscape design, serves as a valuable resource for researchers, scholars, and the general public. By digitizing parts of its collection and making it accessible online, the Society contributes to the dissemination of knowledge in the field of horticulture.
Overall, through its various initiatives in education, research, and public engagement, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society plays a vital role in promoting environmental awareness, fostering a love for plants and gardening, and enriching the community's connection with the natural world.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Investment Income: $8,736
- Program Service Revenue: $1,204,687
- Gross Receipts: $3,098,582
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $6,172,248
- Total Liabilities: $630,982
- Net Assets: $5,541,266
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
FACILITIES RENTALS
Revenue
$813,833
MEMBERSHIP REVENUE
Revenue
$273,856
EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND
Revenue
$73,697
COMMISSIONS
Revenue
$43,301
Organization Details
Founding Year
1829
Phone
(617) 933-4981Principal Officer
James Hearsum
Main Address
900 WASHINGTON STREET, WELLESLEY, MA, 02482
Website
www.masshort.orgNTEE Category
Code: C030 - Environment
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