irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.07MVisitor services:Old Westbury Gardens offers an engaging visitor experience bringing history to life through onsite tours and interpretive programs that provide a rare window into the golden era of the American country house. Visitors are encouraged to freely explore the beautifully groomed gardens and historic Westbury House. In addition, Old Westbury Gardens plans and executes an extensive array of public programs including exhibits, lectures, concerts, holiday events, teas and group tours, secrets of the service wing tours. The Visitor Services Department manages all aspects of public programming, special events, commercial activity, volunteer support and the interpretive programs to ensure a high quality visitor experience.
- #2 $313KEducation and community services:Old Westbury Gardens' Education Program strives to educate the community through a variety of outdoor formal and informal program offerings. Since its inception, tens of thousands of students from over 80 local and out of state school districts use Old Westbury Gardens as an extension of their classrooms through formal, educator-led outdoor programs designed in conjunction with New York State Learning Standards. Over 10,000 Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts have earned merits and learned skills reinforcing a message of local community preservation. Children's and Family Programs such as Bug Safari, Bat Walk, Bird Walks, Stargazers, Summer Camps, Wellness Programs, Photography Workshops and more, highlight diverse environmental topics and themes and make the most of non-profit community partnerships.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Education and Community Services
Provides formal and informal educational programs for students, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and families, aligned with New York State Learning Standards, including nature walks, summer camps, and workshops.
Gardens and House Maintenance
Preserves and restores the 200-acre estate, including formal gardens, woodlands, lakes, and historic structures, ensuring long-term conservation and visitor safety.
Seasonal Exhibits and Events
Hosts temporary exhibitions such as Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® made with LEGO® Bricks, yoga in the gardens, tai chi, and evening concerts.
Visitor Services
Offers guided tours of Westbury House and gardens, including special tours such as "Secrets of the Service Wing," public events, concerts, lectures, and holiday programs.
activities · 11 groups
What they do
-
Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 2 activities
- Educational programming for K–12 students aligned with state learning standardsDelivers educator-led outdoor education programs for students from over 80 school districts, designed to align with New York State Learning Standards and promote environmental and historical literacy through experiential learning.
- Family and children's environmental education programsOffers a range of family and children’s programs including Bug Safari, Bat Walk, Bird Walks, Stargazers, Wellness Programs, and Photography Workshops, all centered on environmental themes and nature exploration.
-
-
Children's Themed Birthday Parties 1 activity
- Children's birthday party hosting with themed activitiesHosts children's birthday parties for up to 20 child guests at The Barn at Orchard Hill, offering themed garden tours, scavenger hunts, pizza and soda service, hands-on crafts, and optional add-ons in a dedicated 50-person event space.
-
-
Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
- Children's summer art camp combining nature and creative expressionRuns seasonal summer camps such as Artful Explorers Camp and Creative Summer Camp for children ages 5–9, integrating art activities like drawing, painting, printmaking, and clay with nature-based exploration and storytelling.
-
-
Tai Chi and Mind-Body Wellness Instruction 1 activity
- Guided wellness and movement classes in garden settingsOffers all-levels yoga classes, tai chi sessions, and yoga retreats incorporating meditation, breathwork, journaling, and mindful nature walks to promote relaxation and well-being within the garden environment.
-
-
Public Garden Tours and Events 1 activity
- LEGO®-themed exhibitions and family engagement programsHosts the Nature Connects® exhibition featuring 17 large-scale sculptures made from over 300,000 LEGO® bricks, accompanied by free LEGO® and DUPLO® play sessions at the Thatched Cottage, scavenger hunts, and themed programs like Seasonal Sprouts for children ages 4–10.
-
-
Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Live music and cultural performances in garden venuesHosts live music performances by groups such as Central Beat and musicians from the Oyster Bay Music Festival, featuring genres including classic rock, pop, soul, chamber music, and vocal arias at locations including Café in the Woods and the Red Ballroom.
-
-
Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Management and maintenance of 200+ acres of historic gardens and natural landscapesManages and maintains over 200 acres of formal gardens, woodlands, lakes, and historic infrastructure to preserve the estate’s ecological and architectural integrity and support public visitation.
-
-
Guided Historic Site Tours 1 activity
- Public tours and historic interpretation of Westbury House and gardensProvides onsite guided tours of the early 20th century American country estate, including access to the historic Westbury House, its formal rooms such as the Dining Room, and specialized "Secrets of the Service Wing" tours that explore the operational history and lives of servants. Interpretive programs emphasize preservation and cultural education.
-
-
Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Seasonal adult enrichment and creative workshopsHosts seasonal creative programs for adults including guided two-hour painting classes ("Seasonal Sips"), embroidery workshops, and other hands-on art events that combine instruction with refreshments and social engagement.
-
-
Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Special access events for members and pet-friendly visitor programsOffers exclusive after-hours summer social events and extended evening hours for members, and hosts "Dog Days" weekend events welcoming leashed pets for special visits to the gardens.
-
-
Youth Scouting Leadership Programs 1 activity
- Youth badge-earning programs for Girl Scouts and Cub ScoutsProvides educational programming for over 10,000 Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts annually, focused on community preservation and nature-based themes to support badge completion.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$5.03M
Contributions & grants$3.09M61%
Program service revenue$1.41M28%
Investment income$508K10%
Other revenue$19K
expenses
Total expenses$6.04M
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising15%
Salaries & benefits$2.91M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$37.66M
Cash$203K
Investments$26.11M
Liabilities$3.11M
Net assets$34.55M
Liquid reserves52.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +4.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maura Brush | President/CEO | 40 | $176K |
| Daniel Albanese | CFO | 40 | $131K |
board members · 20
- Anne B Byers — Trustee
- Arthur Levine — Trustee
- Carol E Large — Chairman
- Dita Amory Nickson — Trustee
- Frederic Bancroft — Trustee
- Jack Foley — Secretary
- Jacques Busquet — Trustee
- Jeffrey SPhipps — Trustee
- John M Deignan — Treasurer
- John S Cochran — Trustee
- Laureen Stanton Knutsen — Vice-Chairman
- Lieta Urry — Trustee
- Lloyd P Zuckerberg — Trustee
- Michelle Gokey — Trustee
- Nathan Urbach — Trustee
- Peter P Mackinnon — Trustee
- Robert F Hussey — Trustee
- Robert M Johnston — Trustee
- Robert S Lemle — Trustee
- Thammanoune Kannalikham — Trustee
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- CarolinaHerrera Partner — Provided wedding dress design for event at Old Westbury Gardens
- Central Beat Partner — Musical group performing at Old Westbury Gardens' Café in the Woods event.
- Cub Scouts Partner — Collaborates on skill-building and merit-earning programs related to local community preservation.
- Girl Scouts Partner — Collaborates on badge-earning programs focused on community preservation and environmental education.
- Marilyn Ashley Partner — Yoga instructor leading the retreat at Old Westbury Gardens
- Milk & Sugar Partner — Food truck partner that provides treats during member events at Old Westbury Gardens.
- Milk & Sugar Partner — 회원 행사를 위해 음식을 제공하는 푸드트럭 파트너
- Milk & Sugar food truck Partner — Collaborates with Old Westbury Gardens to provide food at member events such as the Member Summer Social.
- Oyster Bay Music Festival Partner — Collaborates to host musical performances at Old Westbury Gardens' Red Ballroom.
- PaigePaul Partner — Hosted wedding event at Old Westbury Gardens
- Polka Dot Poundcake Partner — Operates Café in the Woods, providing food and beverage services during events.
- Sean Kenney Partner — Collaborates on the Nature Connects® Made with LEGO® Bricks exhibition.
- Sean Kenney Partner — Collaborates on the Nature Connects® exhibition featuring LEGO®-based sculptures
- Sean Kenney Partner — Features artwork from artist Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® exhibit made with LEGO bricks.
- Sean Kenney Partner — Nature Connects® Made with LEGO® Bricks 전시를 공동으로 운영함
- Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects Partner — Collaborates on the Nature Connects exhibition featuring sculptures made with LEGO bricks.
- Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® Partner — Collaborates on programming tied to the Nature Connects® exhibition for children's birthday parties.
- TommyPaull Partner — Hosted wedding event at Old Westbury Gardens
- WesGordon Partner — Designer associated with Carolina Herrera wedding dress worn at event in Old Westbury Gardens
- cecealana Partner — Photographer for wedding event held at Old Westbury Gardens
- kayleightaylor Partner — Photographer for wedding event held at Old Westbury Gardens
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 and Interactive Engagementmethodology: experiential_educationBy combining immersive historical interpretation, nature-based exploration, and interactive play—such as scavenger hunts, hands-on building, and themed activities—the organization enhances learning and visitor engagement because direct, sensory-rich experiences deepen understanding and retention for children and families.
- Interdisciplinary Art-and-Nature Programmingmethodology: art_in_nature_engagementBy integrating large-scale art installations—particularly LEGO®-based sculptures—with natural landscapes, the organization creates compelling, interdisciplinary experiences that draw diverse audiences into engagement with both artistic creativity and environmental contexts, because blending familiar creative media with outdoor settings lowers barriers to participation and stimulates curiosity across age groups.
- Mindfulness and Well-being in Natural Settingsmethodology: mindfulness-in-natureBy offering yoga and mindfulness practices within cultivated gardens and natural environments, the organization supports personal reflection and well-being, because serene, aesthetically rich outdoor spaces enhance the therapeutic effects of contemplative practices.