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Environment : Botanical Gardens, Parks, and Nature Centers

Massachusetts Horticultural Society

Encouraging the science and practice of horticulture. Come. Learn. Grow.

83.15

900 Washington Street Wellesley, MA 02482
tel: (617) 933-4963   Web Site
EIN: 04-2104714

Board Leadership
Finley Perry
Chair

CEO
James Hearsum
President and Executive Director

Charity Navigator

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  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 83.15
  Financial 76.52
  Accountability & Transparency 96.00
This rating was published 12/01/2020 and includes data from FY2019, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Founded in 1829, Massachusetts Horticultural Society (Mass Hort) is dedicated to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. Located at The Gardens at Elm Bank, our 36-acres along the Charles River in Dover, MA provide a wonderful place for people to learn and enjoy nature. We instill the love of horticulture and plants, gardens, and the natural world into the lives of people of all ages. Our youth education programs are focused on hands-on-education and all the ways children can learn in the garden. Our "Plantmobile" travels to schools and community events throughout the state. Adults also have the opportunity for experiential learning to become more successful in their gardens or with their creative nature in floral design or gardening crafts.

Founded in 1829, Massachusetts Horticultural Society (Mass Hort) is dedicated to encouraging the science and practice of horticulture and developing the public's enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of plants and the environment. Located at The Gardens at Elm Bank, our 36-acres along the Charles River in Dover, MA provide a wonderful place for people to learn and enjoy nature. We instill the love of horticulture and plants, gardens, and the natural world into the lives of people of all ages. Our youth education programs are focused on hands-on-education and all the ways children can learn in the garden. Our "Plantmobile" travels to schools and community events throughout the state. Adults also have the opportunity for experiential learning to become more successful in their gardens or with their creative nature in floral design or gardening crafts.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

76.52

Accountability & Transparency

96.00

This rating was published 12/01/2020 and includes data from FY2019, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 76.3%
  Administrative Expenses 11.2%
  Fundraising Expenses 12.3%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.41
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 2.27
  Program Expenses Growth 4.0%
  Liabilities to Assets 10.2%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Massachusetts Horticultural Society on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Massachusetts Horticultural Society on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Massachusetts Horticultural Society (MA) 83.15
San Diego River Park Foundation (CA) 100.00
The Wild Center (NY) 86.66
Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center (MN) 93.32
ODC Network (MI) 94.56

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $355,423
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $51,455
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $0
Total Contributions $406,878
   Program Service Revenue $1,074,648
Total Primary Revenue $1,481,526
   Other Revenue $316,138
TOTAL REVENUE $1,797,664
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $1,396,774
   Administrative Expenses $224,392
   Fundraising Expenses $242,323
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $1,863,489
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $-65,825
   
Net Assets $5,137,135

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Elm Bank - Renovation and Maintenance $1,396,774 100.0%

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2019-09 12/01/2020 83.15
2018-09 10/01/2019 81.23
2017-09 09/01/2018 83.57
2016-09 10/01/2017 83.05
2015-09 08/01/2016 83.39
2014-09 06/01/2016 88.76
 
CN 2.0
2014-09 11/01/2015 85.55
2013-09 12/01/2014 89.77
2012-09 09/01/2013 89.86
2011-09 08/01/2012 80.25
2010-09 11/01/2011 72.44
2009-09 09/20/2011 69.38
 
CN 1.0
2009-09 03/01/2011 62.71
2008-09 06/01/2010 64.95
2007-09 03/01/2009 64.70
2006-09 02/01/2008 74.59
2005-09 12/01/2006 70.46
2004-09 02/01/2006 68.26
2003-09 01/05/2005 56.59

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 04-2104714
Name in IRS Master File MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
NTEE Code C03
NTEE Classification Professional Societies, Associations
NTEE Type Environmental Quality, Protection and Beautification
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (59) Other school related activities
Foundation Status Organization that normally receives no more than one-third of its support from gross investment income and unrelated business income and at the same time more than one-third of its support from contributions, fees, and gross receipts related to exempt purposes.  509(a)(2)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Central - the organization is a central type organization (no group exemption) of a National, Regional or Geographic grouping of organizations.
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date August, 1943
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End September
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • September, 2018
  • September, 2017
  • September, 2016
  • September, 2015
  • September, 2014
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$112,130 6.01% Katherine Macdonald Executive Director, President

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Massachusetts Horticultural Society (MA) 83.15
Delaware Nature Society (DE) 90.69
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (NJ) 89.01
Blandford Nature Center (MI) 91.40
Thomas Irvine Dodge Nature Center (MN) 93.32

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

Massachusetts Horticultural Society
900 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
tel: (617) 933-4963
fax: (617) 933-4901
TTY: (781) 235-5655
EIN: 04-2104714

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Finley Perry
Chair

CEO

James Hearsum
President and Executive Director

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