American Horticultural Society
American Horticultural Society reported $3.4 million in revenue and $3.6 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $73.17 went to program services, $13.14 to management and general costs and $13.69 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 46.7% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $251,826 (PRESIDENT/CEO). 6 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 24% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $3.6MFor 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
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $3.4MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 73.2% | 83.6% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 13.1% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 13.7% | 3.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.31 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 46.7% | 87.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 4.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 31.7% | 3.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $251,826 | $293,532 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 6.91% | 1.74% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 40.1 | 18.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 13 of 13 | 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
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseCommunications - communications activities are a key part of ahs' educational outreach and member service offerings. The organization's flagship bimonthly magazine, american gardener, unveiled a bold redesign in FY25, pairing an elegant new layout with vivid photography and modern storytelling. This transformation strengthened the magazine's role as a unifying voice, celebrating the diversity and vitality of north american gardening while deepening connections across our community. Ahs increased its digital footprint with an upgraded and enriched website while concurrently broadening content…
Educational programs during FY25, ahs shared the art and science of horticulture with people at all levels of gardening expertise through the following educational programs: 1,718 gardeners attended 45 lifelong learning sessions. 23 new gardens joined the ahs garden network, bringing the total to 394 public gardens and arboreta nationwide that offer members free or reduced admission with additional opportunities for experiential, garden-based learning and appreciation. 230 learners registered for self-paced online courses. 147 youth educators attended the 32nd annual national children and…
Membership - as a membership organization, ahs provides services and outreach in support of its more than 20,000 member households throughout the united states and internationally. Member communications and other benefits provide supporters with the information and inspiration they need to be successful gardeners. In addition, these activities contribute to the organizational objectives of helping more americans enjoy the rewards of gardens and gardening, celebrating the diversity of horticulture in america and encouraging earth-friendly gardening practices. Reciprocal membership agreements…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT/CEO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $232,782 | $0 | $19,044 | $251,826 |
| MANAGING DIRECTOR, PROPERTY OPERATIONS Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $127,424 | $0 | $12,927 | $140,351 |
| DIRECTOR NATIONAL PROGRAMS Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $119,498 | $0 | $17,406 | $136,904 |
| DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $121,799 | $0 | $2,471 | $124,270 |
| DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $100,410 | $0 | $16,396 | $116,806 |
| EDITOR OF AMERICAN GARDENER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $102,845 | $0 | $5,152 | $107,997 |
6 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from American Horticultural Society (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $258K (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · 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–1b13 · 13 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 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 524
- Volunteers Part I, line 635
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| MARKETING GENERAL INCORPORATED Membership consulting | $225,143 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 1 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
19 private foundations reported grants to American Horticultural Society totaling $135K 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 American Horticultural 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 American Horticultural Society, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 American Horticultural Society spent in FY2025, $73.17 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Questions people ask
How much of American Horticultural Society's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, American Horticultural Society reported that 73.2% of its $3.6 million in expenses went to program services, 13.1% to management and general and 13.7% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does American Horticultural Society pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation American Horticultural Society reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $251,826, for the role of PRESIDENT/CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does American Horticultural Society get its money?
Of $3.4 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 46.7% came from contributions and grants and 31.7% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is American Horticultural Society a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 53-0226408 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202641349349311084 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202531229349301403 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202421369349302002 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202311359349306956 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202201369349304410 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020 (amended), object 202122299349301212 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 53-0226408: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.