Tax Exempt Status
Public Supported Charity
Organization Does Business As (DBA) Name(s)
Mission Statement
The Myriad Gardens Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which supports the Myriad Botanical Gardens by providing capital and operating funds, increasing public awareness and support and promoting the highest of horticulture, education and administrative standards.
Facebook
Contact Information
Contact Name
Susan Grossman
Contact email
sgrossman@myriadgardens.org
Address
301 W Reno Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Phone
(405) 445-7080
County
Oklahoma
Alternate Address
123 South Hudson
Oklahoma City OK 73102
Alternate Phone
405 445-7090
How to Give
Donate to Endowment
http://occf.org/mgf/
Other ways to donate, support or volunteer
Ways to Donate:
1. Mail a Check: 301 West Reno, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
2. By phone: 405-445-7080; 405-445-7089
Volunteer Opportunties:
We have lots of fun and short term volunteer opportunities to lend a hand and help keep the gardens growing. Opportunities including: leading tours, helping with education classes, horticulture and more. For more information, please contact our Director of Volunteer and Guest Services: 405-445-7087, tlee
@myriadgardens.org
Financial Summary
Projected Revenue
$4,074,410.00
Projected Expenses
$4,074,410.00
History and Background
Supported Organization
Myriad Gardens Foundation
Year Founded
1987
IRS Ruling Year
1987
State Registration Expiration
Jan 2017
Statements
Mission
The Myriad Gardens Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which supports the Myriad Botanical Gardens by providing capital and operating funds, increasing public awareness and support and promoting the highest of horticulture, education and administrative standards.
Background
The Myriad Botanical Gardens opened officially in 1988 with the support of visionary Dean McGee and the City of Oklahoma City. It had been managed by the City of Oklahoma City until 2011 when the Myriad Gardens Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit took on the management of the Gardens.
Thanks to tax increment funds from the Devon Tower construction, more than $40 million was invested in the redesign and construction of the Myriad Gardens. The goal was to make it more accessible, add features to make it a more desirable site to visit and enjoy, and to help make the Gardens part of revitalizing downtown Oklahoma City by building a truly world-class urban garden and park. The newly designed Gardens have helped to build the Gardens fundraising and earned income capacity ensuring that necessary funds are available to support the increased expenses of programming and managing the Gardens and new facilities. The new garden/park opened officially in October 2011. In 2015 the Gardens was awarded the Best Open Space Award by the Urban Land Institute and also won the ONE Award as best nonprofit for 2015 by the Oklahoma Center for Non-Profits.
Impact
Key Goals for FY2016-2017
1. Expand and enhance our programs, exhibits and activities for all visitors to learn about and appreciate plants, gardens and environmental stewardship.
2. Improve the vibrancy of downtown Oklahoma City for all ages and walks of life including: residents, students, families and tourists.
3. Develop a culture to foster best environmental practices throughout the organization.
4. Adhere to the highest level of integrity and professionalism in all employee positions. Create an organization that supports and encourages the highest levels of achievement for staff.
5. Ensure that the Gardens has adequate and stable financial resources to fulfill its mission.
Needs
Complete a 5 year strategic plan
Execute education/community programs as per the strategic plan
Prepare for launching a $16 million dollar capital campaign
Use campaign funds to update interior/exhibits inside Crystal Bridge, create a high quality Visitor Lobby, continue to enhance horticultural displays; and grow our endowment.
Adhere to best practices in all areas of management to grow the Myriad Gardens Foundation to be a highly functional team that manages the Myriad Botanical Gardens with successful programs and a strong and sustainable financial underpinning.
CEO/Executive Director Statement
The Myriad Botanical Gardens is a world class example of landscape design that has something for everyone. It is a unique combination of a public garden and public park with seasonal spaces and facilities for diverse audiences to enjoy. In its downtown location, it serves as a gathering site for large celebrations and events such as Shakespeare in the Park, summer concerts and many other educational, cultural and recreational events and programs. Its green spaces serve as an oasis in the city for relaxation, and its lush landscaping offer beauty and a lesson in what plants grow well in Oklahoma. The Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory serves as the repository of more than 2,000 species of tropical plants and its distinctive tubular shape has become an icon for Oklahoma City. The Gardens is a highly visible success story in terms of taking a deteriorating site and enhancing it to become a new and vibrant destination for residents and tourists alike.
Area Served
The Myriad Gardens primarily serves central Oklahoma but has a membership base from the central U.S. Additionally, the Gardens enjoys an annual national and international visitors.
Service Categories
Secondary Organizational Category
Arts,Culture & Humanities/Community Celebrations
Tertiary Organizational Category
Public & Societal Benefit/
CEO/Executive Director
CEO/Executive Director
Maureen Heffernan
Start Date
Sept 2011
Email
mheffernan@myriadgardens.org
Experience
Maureen Heffernan's career positions have included:
Education Coordinator, American Horticultural Society
Director of Public Programs, Cleveland Botanical Garden
Executive Director, Coastal Maine Botanical Garden
Ms. Heffernan graduated from Fordham University and studied horticulture at Ohio State University. She has completed the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofit's Standards for Excellence Clinic Series and is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City.
Staff
Number of Full-time Staff
33
Number of Part-time Staff
14
Number of Contract Staff
0
Number of Volunteers
75
Staff Retention Rate
1
Are professional development opportunities provided?
Yes
Does CEO/Executive Director have formal evaluations?
Yes
Management reports to board?
Yes
Staff Demographics - Ethnicity
African American/Black
6
Caucasian
34
Hispanic/Latino
3
Native American/American Indian
4
Staff Demographics - Gender
Male
17
Female
30
Organizational Plans
Fundraising Plan
Yes
Policy against commission-based compensation for fundraising consultant
Yes
Communication Plan
Under Development
Strategic Plan
Under Development
Number of Years Strategic Plan Considers
3
Management Succession Plan
No
Organization Policies and Procedures
Yes
Policies
Nondiscrimination Policy
Yes
Directors and Officers Insurance Policy
Yes
Collaborations
The Myriad Gardens Foundation collaborates with a number of other organizations including: Arts Council of OKC, Shakespeare in the Park, Allied Arts, Barre3, OKC Astronomy Club, and Downtown OKC, Inc.
Government Licenses
Is your organization licensed by the government (federal, state and/or local)?
No
Comments on Staff & Management
Board Chair
Name
Mr. J. Larry Nichols
Company Affiliation
Devon Energy
Term
July 2011 to Aug 2018
Email
larry.nichols@dvn.com
Board of Directors
List Current as of
Sept 20, 2016
Board Demographics - Gender
Male
50
Female
50
Governance
Board Term Lengths
3 years
Percentage of Board Making Monetary Contributions to the Organization
100 %
Percentage of Board Making In-Kind Contributions to the Organization
50 %
Board Orientation
Yes
Constituency Includes Client Representation
Yes
Written Board Selection Criteria?
Under Development
Comments on Board & Governance
Current Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
July 01, 2016-June 30, 2017
Current Year Budgeted Total Income
$4,074,410
Current Year Budgeted Total Expenses
$4,074,410
IRS Letter of Determination
Prior Three Years' Financial History
Solvency
Short Term Solvency
Endowment?
Yes
Endowment Spending Policy
Percentage
Endowment Spending Policy Percentage (if selected)
4 %
Credit Line?
No
Reserve Fund?
Yes
Capital Campaign
Currently in a Capital Campaign?
Anticipated In 3 Years
Campaign Purpose
Major renovations to the interior of the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory to enhance its appearance and educational value; enhancements to create a Visitor Lobby; Grow our Endowment.
Campaign Goal
$16,000,000
Campaign Dates
Sept 2017 to Dec 2018
Amount Raised To Date
$2,800,000 as of Sept 2016
Capital Campaign Anticipated in Next Five Years?
Yes