Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society reported $11.6 million in revenue and $2.6 million in expenses for calendar year 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $72.54 went to program services, $18.74 to management and general costs and $8.72 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 81.8% of the total. Government grants made up 72.0%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $155,111 (CEO/President). 1 person received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 316% between 2019 and 2025. Source: Form 990, 2025.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $2.6MFor context, the median across 371 covered environment charities: $85.82 programs, $10.80 management, $3.38 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
Calendar year 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $12MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 72.5% | 83.6% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 18.7% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 8.7% | 3.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.02 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 81.8% | 87.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 72.0% | 4.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 14.1% | 3.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $155,111 | $293,532 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 5.92% | 1.74% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 83.8 | 18.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 29 of 29 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseHORTICULTURE & PLANT COLLECTION - The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens meticulously cares for a permanent collection of approximately 5,400 plants, representing plant species from every continent. Our horticultural team also curates an additional 43,000 plants as part of their rotating and engaging plant exhibitions. Through careful stewardship, we ensure the preservation and propagation of plant species, enhancing the garden's beauty and educational value. In addition to our regular maintenance, we also introduce new plant varieties and seasonal displays, keeping the Botanical…
GUEST SERVICES - In 2025, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens welcomed over 100,000 visitors, providing an enriching full-sensory experience amidst stunning architecture and serene garden sanctuaries. As a living museum and tourist destination, we generate 50% of our operating budget through admissions and internal events. Our guest services team ensures every visitor enjoys a memorable and inspiring journey through our indoor and outdoor gardens and exhibits. We also offer tailored experiences for different visitor groups, including guided tours, special events, and interactive…
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS - The Botanical Gardens hosted over 14,000 students and adults in 2025, offering a wide range of educational programs designed to foster a love for nature and horticulture. Our programs, tailored for all ages, emphasize interactive learning and environmental stewardship. By connecting learners with the natural world, we cultivate future generations of environmental advocates and informed citizens. In addition to our on-site programs, we provide outreach initiatives that extend our educational impact into the community. Our partnerships with schools and local organizations…
Highest reported compensation
2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEO/President Officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $139,437 | $0 | $15,674 | $155,111 |
| DIR. OF FINANCE(TO 10/2/25) Officer, 40.0 hrs/week | $14,962 | $0 | $455 | $15,417 |
1 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $154K (Part IX, line 5).
7 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b29 · 29 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 554
- Volunteers Part I, line 6115
Private foundation grants it received
12 private foundations reported grants to Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society totaling $216K on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
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Of every $100 Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society spent in 2025, $72.54 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Questions people ask
How much of Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2025, Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society reported that 72.5% of its $2.6 million in expenses went to program services, 18.7% to management and general and 8.7% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society reported for one person in calendar year 2025 was $155,111, for the role of CEO/President (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society get its money?
Of $11.6 million in revenue in calendar year 2025, 81.8% came from contributions and grants (including 72.0% from government grants) and 14.1% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 22-2514024 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- 2025: Form 990 for calendar year 2025, object 202631909349301688 · read the filing · XML
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202502389349300900 · read the filing
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202422119349300832 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202302209349301425 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202212999349301141 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202113019349300126 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202022759349301102 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 22-2514024: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.