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BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS SOCIETY INC
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 222514024 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE C410 · Environment · Medium ($1M-$10M) · buffalogardens.com
revenue
$2.5M
expenses
$2.4M
net assets
$9.0M
employees
42
volunteers
115
program ratio
78%
mission · from form 990

BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS WELCOMES THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY ITS LIVING PLANT COLLECTIONS AND BREATHTAKING CONSERVATORY. ITS EXHIBITS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, ROOTS, AND RELATIONSHIPS SERVE THE GREATER COMMUNITY. AS A REGIONAL ASSET, IT IS COMMITTED TO OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO BE AN INCLUSIVE ORGANIZATION WHERE ALL FEEL WELCOME. DESIGNED BY LORD & BURNHAM, ITS HISTORIC CONSERVATORY, MODELED AFTER RARE GLASSHOUSES IN LONDON, ENGLAND, OPENED IN 1900. LOCATED WITHIN A PARK SYSTEM DESIGNED BY FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED IN THE 1800S, THE BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS IS SITUATED ON 12 ACRES THAT ALSO FEATURE AN ACCREDITED ARBORETUM AND LUSH OUTDOOR GARDENS. THE CAMPUS IS OWNED BY ERIE COUNTY AND OPERATED BY THE BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS, A 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED IN PART BY PUBLIC FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY OF ERIE, THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION, MEMBERS, DONORS, AND FRIENDS.

profile · synthesized from sources

Botanical garden and conservatory in Buffalo, NY, operating as a living museum with historic Victorian-era glasshouses designed by Lord & Burnham. Offers public exhibits, educational programming, and horticultural displays across 12 acres within a Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park. Serves the Western New York region with visitor experiences, school programs, and community events focused on plant science and environmental stewardship.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $585K
    GUEST SERVICES: IN 2024, THE BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY BOTANICAL GARDENS WELCOMED OVER 100,000 VISITORS, PROVIDING AN ENRICHING FULL-SENSORY EXPERIENCE AMIDST STUNNING ARCHITECTURE AND SERENE GARDEN SANCTUARIES. AS A LIVING MUSEUM AND TOURIST DESTINATION, WE GENERATE 94% OF OUR OPERATING BUDGET THROUGH ADMISSIONS, MEMBERSHIPS, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND CONTRIBUTIONS. OUR GUEST SERVICES TEAM ENSURES EVERY VISITOR ENJOYS A MEMORABLE AND INSPIRING JOURNEY THROUGH OUR INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GARDENS AND EXHIBITS. WE ALSO OFFER TAILORED EXPERIENCES FOR DIFFERENT VISITOR GROUPS, INCLUDING GUIDED TOURS, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES. OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCEPTIONAL GUEST SERVICE CREATES A WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE THAT ENCOURAGES REPEAT VISITS AND STRONG COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
  2. #2 $344K
    EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: THE BOTANICAL GARDENS HOSTED OVER 9,000 STUDENTS AND ADULTS IN 2024, OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO FOSTER A LOVE FOR NATURE AND HORTICULTURE. OUR PROGRAMS, TAILORED FOR ALL AGES, EMPHASIZE INTERACTIVE LEARNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. BY CONNECTING LEARNERS WITH THE NATURAL WORLD, WE CULTIVATE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES AND INFORMED CITIZENS. IN ADDITION TO OUR ON-SITE PROGRAMS, WE PROVIDE OUTREACH INITIATIVES THAT EXTEND OUR EDUCATIONAL IMPACT INTO THE COMMUNITY. OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS FURTHER ENHANCE OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER IMPACTFUL AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES.
named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Educational Programs
Offers on-site and outreach educational programming for students and adults focused on horticulture and environmental stewardship
Feed the Fish
Interactive event allowing visitors to feed koi fish with early access to the gardens; includes educational component
Guest Services
Provides visitor experiences including guided tours, special events, and interactive activities in the conservatory and outdoor gardens
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
    • Art exhibitions and cultural programming
      Hosts public art exhibitions such as "The Summer I Told the Bees" by local artist Kelly Barone, integrating visual arts into the botanical space to enhance public engagement with nature and creativity.
  • Campus Construction and Renovation Projects 1 activity
    • Campus development and sustainability improvements
      Undertook major campus renovations and expansions, including construction of state-of-the-art greenhouses, an administration building, a visitor parking lot, and the Outdoor Children's Garden, along with installation of solar panels and energy-efficient technologies across over 90,000 square feet of landscape.
  • Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
    • Educational programming and school outreach
      Hosts on-site and outreach educational programs focused on nature and horticulture for over 9,000 students and adults annually, including weekly seed planting activities for children during the Growing Back to School event and guided learning experiences.
  • Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
    • Koi fish feeding and aquatic education programs
      Offers a “Feed the Fish” program providing early access to the gardens and a guided, hands-on experience where participants feed koi fish and learn about aquatic life, available to participants of all ages.
  • Free Public Access Nature Sites 1 activity
    • Public access to gardens and plant collections
      Operates a 12-acre campus featuring indoor and outdoor gardens, including an accredited arboretum and the third-largest public greenhouse in the U.S., with daily public access from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Welcomed over 100,000 visitors in 2024 and over 112,000 in 2023, with recent expansions to accommodate growing demand.
  • Public Garden Tours and Events 1 activity
    • Seasonal and family-friendly public events
      Hosts recurring seasonal and family-oriented programming, including the annual Scarecrow Trail exhibit, themed conservatory displays, free weekly summer yoga sessions, and special events like free admission for children 12 and under in September.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.47M
Contributions & grants$745K30%
Program service revenue$1.29M52%
Investment income$245K10%
Other revenue$192K
expenses
Total expenses$2.41M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$1.71M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$9.51M
Cash$168K
Investments$4.64M
Liabilities$486K
Net assets$9.03M
Liquid reserves24.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +0.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
ERIN GRAJEK CEO/PRESIDENT (FROM 12/2/24) 40 $133K
MARK MORTENSON CEO/PRESIDENT (TO 9/13/24) 40 $132K
TERRY MICKELSON DIRECTOR OF FINANCE/HR (TO 10/4/24) 40 $66K
board members · 22
  • ALEXIS MCCOLGIN — DIRECTOR
  • ALLISON SAGRAVES — DIRECTOR
  • BARBARA NEVERGOLD — DIRECTOR
  • BRYAN DEBROKA — DIRECTOR / TREASURER
  • CHARLES BRANDY FROM MARCH 2024 — DIRECTOR
  • ERIK SOLOMON — DIRECTOR
  • GEORGE CAMERON — DIRECTOR
  • JASON HURLEY — EX OFFICIO
  • JIM CHARLIER — DIRECTOR
  • JOE SULLIVAN FROM JUNE 2024 — DIRECTOR
  • KIM LAVARE — DIRECTOR
  • KIMBERLY NASON — DIRECTOR
  • MICHE NEEDHAM CPA — DIRECTOR/VICE CHAIR
  • PAULETTE M CROOKE — DIRECTOR /SECRETARY
  • PHIL KADET — DIRECTOR
  • PHIL SNYDER — DIRECTOR
  • RACHEL SILVA — DIRECTOR
  • ROBERT LOWERY — EX OFFICIO
  • ROSE ANN DULSKI — DIRECTOR
  • STEPHEN SPAULDING MD — DIRECTOR
  • TATIANA MERRICK FROM JUNE 2024 — DIRECTOR
  • TED JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
relationships · 34

Who they work with

  • Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Partner — Partnered with Erie County staff and the Society in the 1990s to restore the outdoor shrub garden.
  • Buffalo and Erie County Government — Operates as a public botanical garden under the support and affiliation of Erie County and the City of Buffalo.
  • Dormitory Authority of the State of New York Government — State authority supporting the expansion project
  • Empire State Development Government — State-level supporter of the expansion project
  • Erie County Government — Campus is owned by Erie County and operated by the nonprofit; receives public funds from the county
  • Erie County Government — Formed a public/private partnership in 2004; county contributes to capital improvements while the Society manages day-to-day operations.
  • Erie County Government — Government partner collaborating on the expansion project
  • Erie County Government — Owns the campus and provides public funding support.
  • Grind/Align Yoga Partner — Provides yoga instructors for the Free Yoga Sundays program.
  • John R. Oishei Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting the expansion project
  • Kelly Barone Partner — Collaborated with artist Kelly Barone to present her exhibition "The Summer I Told the Bees" at the gardens.
  • KeyBank Funder — Corporate funder supporting the expansion project
  • Local organizations Partner — Partners with local organizations to enhance delivery of educational and community programs
  • M&T Bank Funder — Corporate funder supporting the expansion project
  • M&T Bank Partner — Presenting sponsor of the Growing Back to School event.
  • Margaret L. Wendt Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting the expansion project
  • Masterson’s Garden Center Partner — Partners with Masterson’s Garden Center to care for the koi fish and support the Feed the Fish program.
  • Masterson’s Garden Center Partner — Partners with the Botanical Gardens to care for the koi fish and support the Feed the Fish program.
  • Masterson’s Garden Center Partner — Partnership for the care of the koi fish and the Feed the Fish program.
  • Museum Education Consortium of Buffalo Network — Joined in 1986 to further focus on education and community outreach.
  • NYS Assemblyman Pat Burke Government — Supports the Free Yoga Sundays program.
  • New York State Government — State government supporter of the expansion project
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority Government — State agency supporting the expansion project
  • New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Provides public funding support to the organization
  • New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Provides public funding support to the organization.
  • New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — State parks agency supporting the expansion project
  • Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting the expansion project
  • Rich Products Partner — Sponsors the Free Yoga Sundays program.
  • Schools Partner — Partners with schools to deliver educational programs and outreach initiatives
  • Shaunna Mooney Partner — Director of Marketing & Engagement, primary contact for press and media inquiries
+ 4 more
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.

  • Experiential Learning Through Immersive Environments
    methodology: immersive-education
    By immersing visitors in beautiful, interactive, and sensory-rich plant and animal environments, the organization deepens public connection with nature and enhances learning, because direct, hands-on experiences foster curiosity, retention, and emotional engagement more effectively than passive observation.
  • Inclusive Access and Welcoming Culture as Engagement Drivers
    methodology: inclusive_access
    By removing barriers to access and embedding principles of inclusivity—such as kindness, empathy, and cultural relevance—into programming and team culture, the organization increases community engagement and visitation, because a sense of belonging and welcome fosters trust, repeat visits, and broader public participation.
  • Nature-Based Wellness Through Environmental Solace
    methodology: nature_based_wellness
    By positioning the botanical gardens as a restorative space that combines natural beauty, art, and structured wellness activities like yoga, the organization supports emotional well-being and life transitions, because access to calming, aesthetically rich natural environments reduces stress and fosters personal reflection.