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WHITE PLAINS BEAUTIFICATION FDNINC
WHITE PLAINS, NY · EIN 136198300 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE S20Z · Community Improvement · Small ($100K-$1M) · wpbf.org
revenue
$267K
expenses
$215K
net assets
$882K
employees
0
volunteers
53
program ratio
80%
mission · from form 990

TO BEAUTIFY THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS, NY.

profile · synthesized from sources

The White Plains Beautification Foundation enhances public spaces in White Plains, NY through the creation and maintenance of gardens, fountains, street clocks, and other civic art installations. It engages the community through programs like Adopt-a-Park, Arbor Day tree plantings, and seasonal bulb planting. Founded in 1965, the organization works with volunteers, donors, and city agencies to promote beauty and environmental stewardship in the city.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Adopt-a-Park
Program enabling corporations and individuals to sponsor the maintenance of public gardens; has raised over $5 million since inception
Arbor Day
Annual tree planting at a public school each April, involving students and officials to honor or remember individuals
Business Awards
Recognition program honoring commercial and residential properties for their landscaping and contributions to city beauty
Earth Day White Plains
Participation in community sustainability events through booths and outreach activities
Fall Gala
Annual fundraising event dating back to the organization's early years, supporting beautification projects
The Daffodil Project
Ongoing initiative to plant tens of thousands of daffodil bulbs annually across the city to create spring blooms
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 2 activities
    • Hosts events and engages volunteers
      Organizes community events, periodic general meetings, and volunteer opportunities across multiple committees focused on garden planting, landscape care, publicity, event planning, and pollinator pathways to promote civic participation in beautification.
    • Supports pollinator habitat development
      Engages volunteers in the Pollinator Pathways-White Plains project to create and monitor pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes that support biodiversity in urban areas.
  • Public Space Beautification and Maintenance 2 activities
    • Implements capital beautification projects
      Designs, funds, and installs permanent public enhancements including fountains, gazebos, street clocks, memorial trees, water features, parklets, signage, and planters throughout White Plains. Notable projects include the G. Kent Hawks Fountain, Triantafillu Fountain, Edwin G. Michaelian Memorial Gazebo, John C. Bailey Summerhouse, and the "Welcome to White Plains" sign.
    • Operates the Daffodil Project
      Plants and maintains tens of thousands of daffodil bulbs annually across White Plains since 2014, totaling over 185,000 bulbs planted as of recent reports. This effort is conducted in partnership with the City’s Department of Public Works.
  • Tree Planting and Reforestation Initiatives 1 activity
    • Conducts tree planting and urban forestry initiatives
      Leads long-term tree planting campaigns, including a decade-long project to line Mamaroneck Avenue with pin oaks, planting over 200 Kwanzan cherry trees in Tibbits Park and along Mamaroneck Avenue, and donating and planting a willow oak in White Plains, Georgia after a storm. Also conducts annual Arbor Day tree plantings at local schools involving students.
  • Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
    • Hosts annual fundraising gala
      Organizes an annual Fall Gala fundraiser that supports program operations and helps cover garden maintenance costs, including significant expenses such as over $35,000 annually for watering.
  • Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 1 activity
    • Manages public gardens through the Adopt-a-Park program
      Manages over 70 public gardens in White Plains, NY through the Adopt-a-Park program, which began with 12 gardens in 1986 and has expanded to support ongoing planting, maintenance, and community stewardship. The organization has raised over $5 million to support this initiative since its inception.
  • Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
    • Produces outreach and communications materials
      Publishes an annual print newsletter, "Beautification News," distributed to approximately 4,000 recipients, highlighting garden news, upcoming events, and sponsor recognition.
  • Public School Support Fundraising 1 activity
    • Provides grants for school and neighborhood beautification
      Funds local greening initiatives by awarding annual $200 grants to all public and private K–12 schools in White Plains for student-involved gardening projects such as vegetable gardens, bulb planting, and entrance beautification, and provides additional grants to neighborhood associations.
  • Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
    • Recognizes community beautification efforts
      Annually recognizes businesses and homeowners who enhance property aesthetics through formal acknowledgment programs, including neighborhood canvassing since 2008 to thank residents for maintaining attractive front yard gardens.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$267K
Contributions & grants$202K76%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$27K10%
Other revenue$38K
expenses
Total expenses$215K
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$887K
Cash$267K
Investments$620K
Liabilities$5K
Net assets$882K
Liquid reserves49.5 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +14.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 25
  • ANGELA VITELLAS — DIRECTOR
  • ANN EDWARDS — DIRECTOR
  • ANN MARIE DOUGHERTY — DIRECTOR
  • BARBARA RAMSDELL — DIRECTOR
  • BETH WALLACH — DIRECTOR
  • BLAINE LEVENSON — DIRECTOR
  • CECELIA SPILOTROS — VICE PRESIDE
  • CORMAC DALY — TREASURER
  • DEBORAH DONAHOE — GARDEN CHAIR
  • DIANE TAYLOR — ASSISTANT TR
  • DOROTHY SCHERE — DIRECTOR
  • JEAN BELLO — ADOPT-A-PARK
  • KATE COLLINS — DIRECTOR
  • KATHLEEN MASTERSON — DIRECTOR
  • MARIE SILVERMAN MARICH — DIRECTOR
  • MARY BRIANTE — DIRECTOR
  • MARY MERENDA — FIRST VICE P
  • MELANIE KOLBY — DIRECTOR
  • MICAELA KELLY GOLDBERGER — DIRECTOR
  • NANCY GIGES — DIRECTOR
  • NICOLAS WOLFF — DIRECTOR
  • NICOLE MASTRANTONAKIS-YOSHIDA — DIRECTOR
  • P LYNN OLIVA — SECRETARTY
  • PATRICIA BERNSTEIN — DIRECTOR
  • RABBI MICHAEL GOLDMAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 33

Who they work with

  • Adopt-a-Park program Partner — Funds garden planting and maintenance projects in White Plains.
  • Amodio’s Garden Center Partner — Partner in maintaining public gardens managed by WPBF.
  • Amodio’s Garden Center Partner — Partner nursery engaged to maintain and enhance public garden sites.
  • Bartlett Tree Experts Partner — Partners with arborist Michael McGowan from Bartlett Tree Experts for tree care expertise.
  • City of White Plains Government — Collaborates with WPBF on the Adopt-a-Park Program, including joint events with city officials.
  • City of White Plains Government — Receives donated gardens, capital improvements, and beautification projects from WPBF.
  • City of White Plains Department of Public Works Partner — Collaborates with WPBF on the Daffodil Project to plant daffodil bulbs throughout the city.
  • City of White Plains Department of Public Works Partner — Collaborates with the foundation on daffodil planting and maintenance efforts.
  • City of White Plains Mayor’s office Government — Provides support for garden preparation, removal of plant material, and mulch provision for WPBF projects.
  • DeLeo Excavating Corp. Partner — Provided volunteer labor and services for the reconstruction of the John C. Bailey Summerhouse.
  • Department of Public Works (White Plains) Government — Collaborates with WPBF on garden bed preparation, removal of plant material during renovations, and supplying additional mulch.
  • Doria Contractors Partner — Constructed the Triantafillu Fountain in Tibbits Park under design by WPBF advisor Len Salvador.
  • Gedney Farms Nursery Partner — Partner in maintaining public gardens managed by WPBF.
  • Gedney Farms Nursery Partner — Partner nursery engaged to maintain and enhance public garden sites.
  • Grafico Partner — Design firm that created the "Welcome to White Plains" sign on the Main Street train trestle.
  • Interstate Building Material Partner — Donated materials and volunteer labor for the rebuilding of the John C. Bailey Summerhouse.
  • Lions Club of White Plains Partner — Contributed volunteer labor to construct the John C. Bailey Summerhouse.
  • Montefiore Health System Partner — Platinum-level sponsor of the Adopt-a-Park Program.
  • Nabel’s Nurseries Partner — Co-designed and contributed to the creation of "The Basket" floral planter at Armory Plaza.
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Recognized the City of White Plains as “Tree City, USA” in part due to WPBF's work.
  • Peter Gisondi Painting Co. Partner — Donated ongoing services to maintain and repaint the Edwin G. Michaelian Memorial Gazebo.
  • Ridgeway Garden Center Partner — Partner in maintaining public gardens managed by WPBF.
  • Ridgeway Garden Center Partner — Partner nursery engaged to maintain and enhance public garden sites.
  • Rocco Briante Partner — Construction firm that built the Edwin G. Michaelian Memorial Gazebo and contributed a brick patio.
  • Trumid Construction Co. Partner — Partnered with WPBF to recycle granite steps from the old courthouse for use in public parklets.
  • Westchester County Government — Participates in WPBF events with county officials, indicating a collaborative relationship.
  • White Plains Government — Collaborates with the city of White Plains to support community beautification initiatives.
  • White Plains Carpenters Union 53 Partner — Provided volunteer labor to rebuild the John C. Bailey Summerhouse in one day.
  • White Plains Dept. of Public Works Government — Engages with the Department of Public Works through advisory roles held by Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners.
  • White Plains Dept. of Recreation & Parks Government — Collaborates with the Department of Recreation & Parks through advisory roles held by its Deputy Commissioner.
+ 3 more
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.

  • Community Stewardship through Volunteer and Sponsor Engagement
    methodology: community_stewardship_model
    By engaging volunteers and sponsors in the planning, installation, and maintenance of public green spaces, we foster long-term community ownership and sustained investment in urban beautification, because active participation strengthens civic pride and ensures project continuity.
  • Sponsorship-Based Sustainability Model
    methodology: sponsorship_sustainability_model
    By securing private sponsorships tied to visible recognition, we fund and sustain long-term garden maintenance, because linking financial contributions to public legacy and identity motivates ongoing individual and corporate investment in shared green spaces.
  • Urban Beautification as a Catalyst for Cultural and Ecological Vitality
    methodology: urban_beautification_cultural_catalyst
    By planting signature trees and native species seasonally, we enhance the city’s aesthetic identity and ecological sustainability, because distinctive, recurring natural displays strengthen community attachment, support pollinators, and inspire cultural traditions like the cherry blossom festival.
  • Youth Engagement through Hands-On Gardening
    methodology: youth_engagement_gardening
    By involving children in horticultural activities, we cultivate future stewards of urban green spaces, because early, experiential engagement fosters lifelong environmental responsibility and deepens intergenerational community ties.