irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $203KPROMOTE THE CASTLE AND ISLAND AS A HISTORIC TOURISM SITE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: 1) VISITOR CENTER & GALLERY AT 150 MAIN ST; BEACON NY. ON VIEW ARE ARTIFACTS, PAINTINGS & PHOTOGRAPHS OF CASTLE & ISLAND. SELLS ART & EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL, DISTRIBUTES FREE LITERATURE. 2) CONDUCT LECTURES AND SLIDE SHOWS WHEN REQUESTED BY LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. 3) CULTURAL EVENTS ON ISLAND: CHEFS' CONSORTIUM "FARM TO TABLE" DINNER (OUTSIDE), AND OUTDOOR EVENT JOINT CONCERT WITH DAISY JOPLING MENTORSHIP FOUNDATION. 4) GARDENING PROJECT ON-ISLAND WEEKLY DURING SEASON OPEN TO PUBLIC. 5) WEBSITE: WWW.BANNERMANCASTLE.ORG CONTAINS ARTICLES, EVENT CALENDAR & NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES. 6) FACEBOOK PAGE MAINTAINED BY CONSULTANT CONTAINS EVENT PROMOTION, & NEWS, & INPUT FROM VISITORS. 7) PUBLICATION OF NEWSLETTER "THE BANNER" TWO ISSUES EACH YEAR.
- #2 $194KHISTORIC SITE TOURS ON ISLAND - UNDER PERMISSION AND A CONTRACT WITH NYSOPRHP, TOURS ARE CONDUCTED FOR THE PUBLIC. TOURS ARE LEAD BY PAID STAFF AND BY VOLUNTEERS, USING THE ORGANIZATION'S VESSEL WITH PAID CAPTAIN AND CREW. KAYAK TOURS ARE CONDUCTED BY LOCAL COMPANIES AND LEAD BY THE ORGANIZATION'S GUIDES. THERE ARE ALSO SPECIAL EVENT TOURS INCLUDING MOVIES AND THEATER. TOURS TAKE PLACE BETWEEN MAY AND OCTOBER.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Cultural Events
Hosts public events including theater performances, movie nights, concerts, and the Farm to Table dinner on Bannerman Island
Gardening Project
Volunteer-led weekly gardening program on the island during the season to maintain and restore historic gardens
Historic Site Tours
Guided and self-guided tours of Bannerman Island offered seasonally from May to October via boat from Beacon, including access to the residence museum, gardens, and trails
Newsletter "The BANNER"
Biannual publication sharing news, history, and event information about Bannerman Island and the Trust
Visitor Center & Gallery
Exhibition space at 150 Main St, Beacon, NY featuring artifacts, photographs, and artwork related to Bannerman Island; sells educational materials and gifts
activities · 9 groups
What they do
-
Free Outdoor & Community Theater Productions 1 activity
- Cultural and artistic programming on Bannerman IslandHosts a range of cultural events including theatrical performances (such as EPIC BROADWAY!), concerts, art shows, culinary events like "Farm to Table" dinners, movie nights, silent film screenings with live music, and collaborative events with organizations like the Daisy Jopling Mentorship Foundation. These programs engage the public and support preservation fundraising.
-
-
Digital Visitor Engagement via Mobile App 1 activity
- Digital engagement and audio tour offeringsProvides a digital guide via the Bloomberg Connects app featuring an audio tour of six island locations, historical content about Frank Bannerman VI and Eleanor Seeland, visitor information, and details about current programs and events.
-
-
Historic Preservation Support Grants 1 activity
- Fundraising through donations and eventsRaises funds for the restoration, maintenance, and preservation of structures and trails on Pollepel Island through tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations, as well as through special events such as weddings, performances, and dinners.
-
-
Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Grounds maintenance and volunteer gardening programOperates a weekly gardening project open to public participation, maintaining, watering, and planting the island’s grounds and gardens. The Bannerman Volunteer Gardeners were established in 2007, and a dedicated watering system was installed in 2009 with assistance from West Point Cadets.
-
-
Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operation of visitor center and gallery in Beacon, NYOperates a visitor center and gallery in Beacon, NY, displaying artifacts, paintings, and photographs related to Bannerman Castle and Pollepel Island, while distributing free literature and selling art and educational materials to promote public awareness.
-
-
Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
- Public access and guided tours of Bannerman IslandProvides public access to Bannerman Island through organized round-trip cruises and kayak tours, offering guided cultural programming including historic site tours from May to October using the organization’s vessel, led by paid staff and volunteers. Served approximately 8,500 visitors in 2021. Also offers self-guided immersive walking tours as part of the "Jo's Dream" experience.
-
-
Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
- Public education and outreach programmingConducts lectures and slide shows about Bannerman Castle for local organizations upon request, raises public and government awareness about the historical value of Pollepel Island, and promotes heritage tourism through educational initiatives.
-
-
Local History Publishing 1 activity
- Publication and distribution of educational materialsPublishes and sells a three-volume series on Francis Bannerman VI and the arsenal, distributes a biannual newsletter titled "The Banner," a Seasonal Journal during the touring season, and maintains a website with articles, event calendars, and archives. Also produces and distributes bespoke, handmade maps for visitor storytelling experiences.
-
-
Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Restoration and stabilization of historic structures on Bannerman IslandConducts structural stabilization and restoration of historic buildings on Bannerman Island, including the Bannerman residence ("The Big House") in 2011, the castle tower in 2014 after partial collapse, construction of the Bannerman Bridge in 2017, installation of composting toilets in 2019, and ongoing renovations to the residence, terraces, and museum. These efforts are supported by partnerships with West Point Cadets and private donors.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$944K
Contributions & grants$310K33%
Program service revenue$626K66%
Investment income$7K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$750K
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$391K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.21M
Cash$416K
Investments$0
Liabilities$13K
Net assets$1.20M
Liquid reserves6.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +25.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neil Caplan | Executive Dir. | 0 | $68K |
board members · 11
- Cherese Jervis-Hill — Director
- David Rocco — Director
- Dr John Wolback — Director
- Frederick Osborn III — Director
- John Atherton — Secretary
- John Lanc — Director
- Rob Doyle — Director
- Robert Schiera — Treasurer
- Robert W Slater — Director
- Thom Johnson — Director
- Virginia Donovan — Director
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- Bannerman Castle Partner — Hosts tours and events at Bannerman Castle on Bannerman Island.
- Bloomberg Connects Partner — Collaborates to provide a digital guide about Bannerman Castle Trust and Bannerman Island through the Bloomberg Connects app.
- Boykin Curry Partner — Co-founded the Modern Silent Shorts initiative in 2023.
- Broadway in Beacon Partner — Collaborates with The Bannermans Castle Trust to present the EPIC BROADWAY! revue on Bannerman Island.
- Chris Ams Partner — Beacon-based artist who collaborated on the creation of bespoke, handmade maps for the "Jo's Dream" immersive experience.
- Daisy Jopling Mentorship Foundation Partner — Co-hosts an outdoor cultural concert event on Pollepel Island with the organization.
- Endeavor Partner — Employer of board member Robert Schiera, Treasurer of The Bannermans Castle Trust Inc.
- Hudson Highlands State Park Government — Location partner where Bannerman Castle is situated within the state park system.
- Hudson River Adventures Partner — Collaborates with the Trust to operate Bannerman Island cruises and promote the island's history and preservation mission.
- Hudson Valley Gives Partner — Collaborates with Hudson Valley Gives to participate in regional fundraising initiatives.
- Kelly Ellenwood Partner — Deputy Executive Director of the Bannerman Castle Trust, contact for sponsorship inquiries.
- Kevin Donald Partner — Composer for the live musical score performed during the Modern Silent Shorts event.
- Lanc & Tully Engineering and Surveying Partner — Firm where board member John Lanc is a partner.
- Lily Weisberg Partner — Co-Founder of the Modern Silent Shorts initiative.
- Liscum McCormack VanVoorhis LLP Partner — Architecture firm where board member Michael TJ McCormack is a partner.
- Michael Bloom Partner — Co-Founder of the Modern Silent Shorts initiative.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Funding source for the "Jo's Dream" project filmed on Bannerman Island.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Government — Collaborates with the Bannerman Castle Trust to stabilize structures and open Bannerman Island to the public.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Collaborates with the Trust on the stewardship and preservation of Pollepel Island.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Official state agency partner; The Bannerman Castle Trust is the designated "friends" organization for Bannerman Island under this agency.
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Partner agency under whose permission and contract the organization conducts public tours and preservation activities at Bannerman Castle.
- Parks & Trails NY Partner — Collaborates on volunteer events such as "I Love My Parks" Day.
- SUNY-Orange Partner — Institution where advisory board member Dr. John Wolbeck is professor and department chair.
- Skyla Schreter Dance company Partner — Collaborates on the creation and implementation of the "Jo's Dream" immersive experience and film project on Bannerman Island.
- Swann Inn Partner — Co-owned by Neil J. Caplan, founder and Executive Director of The Bannermans Castle Trust Inc.
- Taconic Park Commission Government — The island was given to the Taconic Park Commission in 1967.
- West Point Cadets Partner — Partnered with the Bannerman Castle Trust to build the Bannerman Trail Bridge in 2017 and install composting restrooms in 2019.
- West Point Cadets Partner — Provides labor and engineering support for infrastructure projects on Bannerman Island, including the bridge, watering system, and composting toilets.
strategies · 3
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.
- Cultural Engagement as Preservation Strategymethodology: cultural-engagement-for-preservationBy using cultural events, performances, and storytelling in a historic setting, the Trust increases public engagement and support for preservation because immersive experiences foster emotional connection and stewardship motivation.
- Public-Private Partnership for Historic Stewardshipmethodology: public-private_partnership_for_heritage_preservationBy partnering with state park authorities and commercial access providers, the Trust increases preservation capacity and public access because shared responsibility leverages resources and expands reach.
- Volunteer Stewardship to Deepen Community Investmentmethodology: volunteer_stewardshipBy involving volunteers in hands-on preservation work, the Trust builds long-term community commitment because direct participation fosters personal responsibility and sustained support.