Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden reported $13.1 million in revenue and $9.8 million in expenses for calendar year 2024. Of every $100 it spent, $73.15 went to program services, $15.00 to management and general costs and $11.85 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 57.0% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $277,833 (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR). 7 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 213% between 2019 and 2024. Source: Form 990, 2024.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $9.8MFor 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 2024 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $13MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2024 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 73.1% | 83.6% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 15.0% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 11.9% | 3.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.16 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 57.0% | 87.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 4.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 21.8% | 3.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $277,833 | $293,532 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 2.82% | 1.74% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 50.1 | 18.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 15 of 15 | 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
2024 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseThe horticulture program curates, installs, and maintains the garden's living collection, which encompasses 78 acres of native plants drawn from california's floristic province, as well as historic landmarks and features dating back to 1806. The program ensures guests experience seasonal wildflower displays, ecosystem-themed sections from desert to redwood groves, and gardens that celebrate california's taxonomic diversity, from rare species to iconic fixtures such as the golden poppy. Newer garden exhibits explore "planting with purpose" themes such as water conservation, attracting…
With native plants and habitats at its core, the conservation and research program focuses on solutions to today's complex conservation challenges - from genes to ecosystems. With a team of scientists, technicians, partners, and budding conservation leaders, the program works collaboratively to understand, protect, and restore california's diverse botanic ecosystems. In response, the team produces essential plant inventories and research, safeguards endangered plant species, and works to restore entire food webs, while securing and maintaining collections that inform and support recovery
The education program at the garden supports the mission of conserving california's native plants by providing meaningful experiences in nature. The garden grounds offer a unique outdoor classroom whose diverse collections provide a backdrop for programs. By engaging our community with onsite interpretation of our living collections and a wide variety of public programs on and off site, we facilitate connections to the natural world and foster love for native plants. Transformative youth programs include school tours, summer programs for students ages five to 10, and ongoing opportunities…
Highest reported compensation
2024 · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $245,761 | $0 | $32,072 | $277,833 |
| DIR. OF CONSERVATION & RES Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $133,813 | $0 | $27,720 | $161,533 |
| DIR. OF DEVELOPMENT Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $139,404 | $0 | $12,237 | $151,641 |
| DIR. HORTICULTURE & OPS Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $118,091 | $0 | $13,845 | $131,936 |
| DIR. OF MARKETING & COMMUN Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $118,289 | $0 | $12,666 | $130,955 |
| DIR. OF HUMAN RESOURCES Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $102,100 | $0 | $19,844 | $121,944 |
| DIR. OF FINANCE Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $100,492 | $0 | $16,484 | $116,976 |
7 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $395K (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
2024 · 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–1b15 · 15 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 5112
- Volunteers Part I, line 6348
Largest outside contractors
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY Construction | $236,586 |
| BALANCE FINANCIAL Accounting | $187,720 |
| CHANNEL ISLAND RESTORATION Landscaping | $138,130 |
| DUKE SEQUENCING AND GENOMIC TECHNOLOGIES Genomic sequencing | $116,085 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 4 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
45 private foundations reported grants to Santa Barbara Botanic Garden totaling $1.1M 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 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
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Of every $100 Santa Barbara Botanic Garden spent in 2024, $73.15 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- The Land Trust for Santa Barbara CountySanta Barbara, CA · revenue $13M · programs 80.2% · FY2025
- Japanese Garden Society of OregonPortland, OR · revenue $13M · programs 77.0% · 2024
- Forterra NwSeattle, WA · revenue $13M · programs 79.8% · 2024
- Nova Scotia Nature TrustCanada, · revenue $13M · programs 95.3% · FY2025
- Friends of AcadiaBar Harbor, ME · revenue $13M · programs 82.8% · 2025
Questions people ask
How much of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2024, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden reported that 73.1% of its $9.8 million in expenses went to program services, 15.0% to management and general and 11.9% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Santa Barbara Botanic Garden pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Santa Barbara Botanic Garden reported for one person in calendar year 2024 was $277,833, for the role of EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Santa Barbara Botanic Garden get its money?
Of $13.1 million in revenue in calendar year 2024, 57.0% came from contributions and grants and 21.8% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Santa Barbara Botanic Garden a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 95-1644628 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
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202503219349310920 · read the filing · XML
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202402749349300740 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202343149349303264 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202222449349301612 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202132179349300743 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202003219349317130 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 95-1644628: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.