named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Bird Guide
Guide to bird species supported by the garden, featuring species descriptions and information on habitat support such as birdhouses and feeding stations
Bloom Guide
Educational resource highlighting seasonal plants and flowers in the garden, including botanical descriptions and photos
Jefferson Market Garden
Community garden maintaining seasonal plantings, pollinator habitats, and bird-friendly environments in an urban setting; open to the public
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 2 activities
- Environmental and horticultural education programs for children and schoolsProvides hands-on environmental education programs for children aged 2–10 from local public schools, including school field trips focused on plant life cycles, worms, composting, and soil during the growing season. Hosts flower crafts, music activities, scavenger hunts, butterfly releases, and a Harvest Festival with mural painting and seasonal treats for neighborhood children.
- Senior and intergenerational engagement programsOffers history, garden, and ecology programs for senior groups during the growing season, along with workshops designed to help seniors engage with nature and build community connections.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 2 activities
- Operation and maintenance of Jefferson Market Garden as a public community gardenCreates, maintains, and stewards a publicly accessible community garden in Greenwich Village, using organic gardening methods, seasonal plantings of native and ornamental species, composting systems, and horticultural care to provide a tranquil green space. The garden is open to the public with free access and receives 2,500 to 3,800 weekly visitors during the operating season.
- Volunteer and community stewardship programProvides volunteer opportunities for community members to assist with gardening tasks such as digging, planting, pruning, and refreshing plantings every Monday morning under horticultural supervision, as well as supporting community events throughout the season.
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Public Garden Tours and Events 1 activity
- Community events and cultural programming in the gardenHosts free public events including a Summer Concert Series featuring live jazz performances, guest speakers on gardens, environment, and history, seasonal celebrations, and an annual family pumpkin giveaway. Offers by-appointment historical tours and supports outdoor wedding ceremonies in the garden.
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Public Space Beautification and Maintenance 1 activity
- Distribution of garden resources to the communityMakes spring flowering bulbs available to the community for replanting after bloom and features new bulbs annually in the garden, promoting community participation in urban greening.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$241K
Contributions & grants$221K92%
Program service revenue$14K6%
Investment income$6K3%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$274K
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$58K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$261K
Cash$179K
Investments$52K
Liabilities$35K
Net assets$226K
Liquid reserves10.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +6.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 11
- DANA PORTANNESE — DIRECTOR
- ELIZABETH BUTSON — CHAIRPERSON
- EVAN PALIOTTA — TREASURER
- JULIE SPALDING — DIRECTOR
- LACEY STANTON — DIRECTOR
- LINDA CAMARDO — DIRECTOR
- MICHELE GOUVEIA — DIRECTOR
- ROBERTA ADELMAN — SECRETARY
- ROBIN FELSHER — DIRECTOR
- SUSAN SIPOS — DIRECTOR
- ZAC WALKER — VICE CHAIRPERSON
relationships · 7
Who they work with
- Frank Vitolo Jazz Quartet Partner — Performs at the organization's Summer Concert Series event.
- Jefferson Market Garden Partner — Collaborative gardening and educational initiative associated with The Village Committee for the Jefferson Market Area Inc.
- New York Public Library Partner — Collaborates with or supports the stewardship of the Jefferson Market Library, a neighboring public institution.
- Susan Sipos Partner — Horticulturist who has curated the garden's plant species since 1999.
- Vincent Astor Foundation Funder — Funded the installation of the wrought iron and steel fence around Jefferson Market Garden in 1998.
- Willie Devargas Partner — Provides musical entertainment for children's events.
- jeffersonmarketgarden.org@gmail.com Partner — Contact point for coordinating school visits, senior programs, and garden tours.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Arts-Integrated Community Engagementmethodology: community-engagement-through-artsBy hosting live music and arts events in public gardens, the organization strengthens community ties and increases public use of shared spaces, because cultural programming creates inclusive, joyful gathering opportunities that deepen place attachment.
- Biodiversity-Supportive Habitat Designmethodology: pollinator-friendly landscapingBy designing landscapes with native, pollinator-friendly plants and structural supports like birdhouses, the organization enhances urban biodiversity, because intentional habitat features directly support migratory and resident species.
- Community Stewardship Modelmethodology: community_stewardshipBy involving local residents in the creation and maintenance of green spaces, the organization fosters ownership and sustained engagement, because community-led care produces more resilient and valued public spaces.
- Ecological Education Through Hands-On Engagementmethodology: hands-on environmental educationBy using direct, experiential interaction with gardens to teach children about ecology, the organization increases environmental literacy, because tactile learning produces deeper understanding of natural systems.