2026-07-28T09:48:32-05:00 2025-09-30 141918990 TEMPLETON & COMPANY LLP 222 LAKEVIEW AVENUE SUITE 1200 WEST PALM BEACH FL 33401 990 2024-10-01 592418059 FRIENDS OF MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN INC FRIE 5612331757 559 N MILITARY TRAIL WEST PALM BEACH FL 33415 SCOTT SCOVILL PRESIDENT 5612331757 2026-07-21 1 1 JOHN CHENOWETH P01768153 5617989988 2026-07-16 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z SCOTT SCOVILL 559 N MILITARY TRAIL WPB FL 33415 2441796 0 X WWW.MOUNTS.ORG X 1983 FL ITS MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND EDUCATE THROUGH NATURE. 10 10 31 434 0 0 1149159 1046269 1009427 941957 19332 37704 78436 240522 2256354 2266452 0 0 0 0 1147770 1102756 0 0 96532 1079515 1126397 2227285 2229153 29069 37299 1100617 1232568 284760 379412 815857 853156 X MISSION: TO INSPIRE AND EDUCATE THROUGH NATURE.VISION: WE ENVISION OUR PUBLIC GARDEN AS A NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ATTRACTION FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE. ITS CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WILL DRAW ATTENDEES TO ENJOY, APPRECIATE AND LEARN FROM THIS OASIS OF TRANQUIL BEAUTY. 0 0 822552 442785 WITH A MISSION TO NURTURE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH NATURE THROUGH IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES AND EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS, MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN (MBG) IS THE OLDEST AND LARGEST PUBLIC GARDEN IN THE PALM BEACHES. THE 20-ACRE TROPICAL OASIS IS HOME TO 25 DISPLAY GARDEN AREAS FEATURING A COLLECTION OF OVER 7,000 SPECIES OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL BOTANICALS. MBG WELCOMED NEARLY 70,000 AND 2,275 MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS OVER THE FISCAL YEAR. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, MBG COMPLETED A NEW 5-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN TO SERVE AS A ROADMAP TO THE FUTURE, GUIDING WHERE THE GARDEN IS GOING IN THE YEARS TO COME, AND OUTLINES HOW IT WILL GET THERE. THIS INCLUDED A REFRESHED MISSION TO NURTURE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH NATURE THROUGH IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES AND EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS, AND UPDATED VISION TO BE THE GO-TO DESTINATION TO DISCOVER, ENJOY, AND BE MOVED BY NATURE. MBG ALSO EMBARKED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW BRAND IDENTITY TO ELEVATE ITS IMAGE TO BEST ALIGN WITH THE PALM BEACHES HIGH CALIBER OF TOURISM, AND ART AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS. IN ADDITION, MBG'S MASTER PLAN EFFORTS ARE WELL UNDERWAY AS IT REIMAGINES MOUNTS AS A GARDEN FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.UNIQUELY SETTING MBG APART FROM OTHER GARDENS, APPROXIMATELY 90% OF THE PLANTS AT MBG CAN BE EFFECTIVELY GROWN IN FLORIDA HOME GARDENS. THIS ALLOWS MBG TO PROVIDE VISITORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY GROW THEIR OWN TROPICAL OASIS AT HOME. IN ADDITION, MBG'S NURSERY AND VINTAGE GARDEN THRIFT SHOP OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY FOR VISITORS TO PURCHASE SUITABLE PLANTS, FLOWERS, AND ACCESSORIES FOR THEIR PERSONAL GARDENS.CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN BEAUTIFYING THE GARDEN'S LANDSCAPE IS ANOTHER TOP PRIORITY. THIS INCLUDED HUNDREDS OF NEW PERMANENT PLANTINGS OVER THE PAST YEAR. UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE GARDEN'S PROFESSIONAL HORTICULTURE STAFF, MORE THAN 140 DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS GAVE OVER 8,000 PERSONAL HOURS TO THE GARDEN'S BEAUTIFICATION AND PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING PLANTING, PRUNING, PROPAGATING, AND EDUCATING. 418503 80306 AS A CORNERSTONE TO ITS MISSION, MBG IS KNOWN AS A TEACHING AND LEARNING GARDEN, PROVIDING A WIDE ARRAY OF EDUCATIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AGES DESIGNED TO CULTIVATE WONDER AND APPRECIATION FOR THE NATURAL WORLD. OVER 240 PUBLIC PROGRAMS, CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND GUIDED TOURS TOOK PLACE THIS PAST YEAR, ATTRACTING 4,300 ADULT PARTICIPANTS IN CLASSES AND TOURS. THE GARDEN'S WIDE ARRAY OF PROGRAMMING INCLUDES HORTICULTURE AND GARDENING, ART AND CULTURE, AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS. IN ADDITION TO ADULT PROGRAMMING, MBG OFFERS A ROBUST SPECTRUM OF YOUTH PROGRAMMING. AS THE OFFICIAL FIELD TRIP PROVIDER FOR THE PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT, ALL COUNTY 3RD GRADERS, TEACHERS, AND CHAPERONES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE, LEARN, AND CONNECT WITH NATURE AT MBG. OVER 15,000 STUDENTS AND CHILDREN VISITED THE GARDEN DURING THE FISCAL YEAR, PLUS NEARLY AN ADDITIONAL 1,500 STUDENTS THROUGH VARIOUS ADDITIONAL YOUTH PROGRAMS. 175344 418866 MBG'S SEASONAL PLANT SALE FESTIVALS AND MAJOR EXHIBITS CONTINUE TO BE THE GARDEN'S MOST POPULAR EVENTS, ATTRACTING MORE THAN 11,000 ATTENDEES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. HELD IN FEBRUARY, APRIL, SEPTEMBER, AND NOVEMBER, THE FOUR SEASONAL PLANT SALES FEATURE TOP GROWERS FROM THROUGHOUT FLORIDA DISPLAYING AND SELLING A WIDE VARIETY OF ORNAMENTALS, ORCHIDS, SUCCULENTS, CACTUS, BONSAI, BUTTERFLY/NATIVE PLANTS, SHRUBS, FRUIT TREES, HERBS, GARDEN ACCESSORIES, BASKETS, FINE CRAFTS, AND MORE. IN ADDITION, SPEAKERS AND AUTHORS WHO ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS CONDUCT FUN AND INFORMATIVE PRESENTATIONS ON GARDENING AND HORTICULTURE. THE FESTIVALS ALSO FEATURE LIVE MUSIC, FOOD VENDORS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, AND LAWN GAMES.MBG EXPANDED ITS OFFERING EVENTS, INCLUDING A SUCCESSFUL SUMMERFEST FAMILY FUN WEEKEND THAT DREW MORE THAN 1,000 VISITORS, AND ITS 1ST ORCHID SYMPOSIUM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ORCHID SOCIETY OF THE PALM BEACHES DREW A SELL-OUT OF 150 ATTENDEES.TO COMPLEMENT ITS LUSH TROPICAL LANDSCAPE, MBG HOUSES A NUMBER OF PERMANENT EXHIBITS AND COLLECTIONS. THE 'MOAI AT MOUNTS BOTANICAL GARDEN' EXHIBIT RECONNECTS VISITORS TO THE ANCIENT RAPA NUI CULTURE OF EASTER ISLAND, AND THE STORY OF PRESERVING AND PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES, INCLUDING OUR POTABLE WATER, OCEAN AND SEA LIFE, FORESTS, NATIVE WILDLIFE, AND FERTILE FARMLANDS. MBG ALSO HOUSES AN ECLECTIC ART COLLECTION OF SCULPTURES PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT THE GARDEN.MBG PROVIDES VISITORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE FEATURED EXHIBITS. FROM NOV. 20, 2024 - MAY 26, 2025, MBG SHOWCASED RIBBIT THE EXHIBIT II BY ARTIST ANDY COBB, FEATURING A COLLECTION OF 18 LARGER-THAN-LIFE WHIMSICAL FROG SCULPTURES THROUGHOUT THE GARDEN. THE EXHIBIT SERVED AS THE BACKDROP FOR THE GARDEN'S 'LEAP INTO A YEAR OF NATURE, ART & SCIENCE' PROGRAMMING, DRAWING 33,000 VISITORS TO THE GARDEN.MBG'S POPULAR MONTHLY DOGS' DAYS IN THE GARDEN DREW 2,300 ATTENDEES TO THE GARDEN, AND MBG'S PALM BEACH COUNTY RESIDENTS DAYS, OFFERING FREE FOR RESIDENTS ATTRACTED OVER 1,600 ATTENDEES. 1416399 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 31 0 1 31 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 FL X JEANNINE POLITOSKI 5612331757 559 N MILITARY TRAIL WEST PALM BEACH FL 33415 X CHARLES F BARISH MD DIRECTOR AT LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARY-THERESE DELATE DIRECTOR AT LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANNE M GANNON DIRECTOR AT LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 DOROTHY JACKS DIRECTOR AT LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTINA KRAMER DIRECTOR AT LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 KAREN MARCUS DIRECTOR AT LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 CLAUDIA MENDOZA DIRECTOR AT LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 TOM RAMICCIO DIRECTOR AT LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL ZIMMERMAN DIRECTOR AT LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 TIM WHELAN DIRECTOR AT LARGE 1.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTT SCOVILL PRESIDENT 4.00 X 0 0 0 JOSEPH SINGER VICE PRESIDENT 2.00 X 0 0 0 CHERYL HOUGHTELIN SECRETARY 2.00 X 0 0 0 WILLIAM BITTNER TREASURER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JAMES MAY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 189239 0 0 189239 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 315528 21971 144646 564124 44861 1046269 GARDEN PROJECT PROGRAM 611710 659278 659278 GARDEN SHOP 459420 202373 202373 EDUCATION 611710 80306 80306 941957 37704 37704 415866 21971 175344 240522 240522 2266452 941957 0 278226 X 965114 711829 239889 13396 66209 45697 18567 1945 71433 52684 17757 992 422339 109762 312577 128542 92438 2497 33607 68880 49177 18376 1327 103090 26313 38558 38219 17892 7092 10800 17644 11161 669 5814 23446 21109 1919 418 37868 37868 GARDEN IMPROVEMENTS AND 237608 220049 16745 814 EXHIBIT DISPLAY EXPENSE 29947 29947 SUPPLIES 21675 21675 REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE 17466 17466 2229153 1416399 716222 96532 88987 249578 689773 684205 90702 126209 66175 54753 32803 15820 146713 55488 51756 91225 17506 10778 62915 0 1100617 1232568 125281 234563 159479 144849 284760 379412 X 231984 85233 583873 767923 815857 853156 1100617 1232568 37299 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 618651 575606 828365 1149159 1046269 4218050 593889 1054472 773164 1204512 1418137 5044174 1212540 1630078 1601529 2353671 2464406 9262224 0 0 0 9262224 1591 631 517 19332 37704 59775 1591 631 517 19332 37704 59775 1214131 1630709 1602046 2373003 2502110 9321999 0.99360 0.99670 0.00640 0.00330 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 126208 55488 70720 20505 20505 91225 X 2800386 533934 533934 2266452 0 2266452 2763087 533934 533934 2229153 0 2229153 PART X, LINE 2: FRIENDS HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS) AS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (IRC). ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES HAS BEEN RECORDED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. FRIENDS IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE IN CONFORMITY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE IRC TO MAINTAIN ITS EXEMPT STATUS. MANAGEMENT ANALYZES TAX POSITIONS IN JURISDICTIONS WHERE IT IS REQUIRED TO FILE INCOME TAX RETURNS. BASED ON ITS EVALUATION, MANAGEMENT DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY TAX POSITIONS FOR WHICH IT IS REASONABLY POSSIBLE THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNTS OF UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE OR DECREASE. INTEREST AND PENALTIES ATTRIBUTABLE TO INCOME TAXES, IF ANY, ARE INCLUDED IN OPERATING EXPENSES. NO SUCH INTEREST OR PENALTIES WERE RECORDED FOR THE YEARS 2025 OR 2024. FRIENDS IS NO LONGER SUBJECT TO INCOME TAX EXAMINATIONS FOR FISCAL YEARS PRIOR TO 2022. PLANT SALES 137748 21971 115777 46052 RIBBIT THE EXHIBIT 284247 284247 115851 1 15842 15842 13441 437837 21971 415866 175344 175344 240522 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 JAMES MAY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 189239 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 189239 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 3 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY IS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. X 2 6799 FAIR MARKET VALUE X GARDEN SUPPLIES 63 27549 FAIR MARKET VALUE X OTHER 7 13440 FAIR MARKET VALUE X HOME DECOR 5 2405 FAIR MARKET VALUE X PERSONAL TRAINING 2 529 FAIR MARKET VALUE X PHOTO SESSION 1 500 FAIR MARKET VALUE 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FINANCE COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL FORM 990 TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONFLICTS POLICY STATEMENTS ADOPTED BY THE ORGANIZATION AND WILL ADMINISTER THE ANNUAL QUESTIONNAIRE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15B THE ORGANIZATION DETERMINES COMPENSATION FOR ITS OFFICERS AND/OR KEY EMPLOYEES BASED ON BENCHMARKS FROM SIMILAR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. SALARIES ARE APPROVED BY THE BOARD AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS. JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND SALARIES ARE DISCUSSED WITH OUTSIDE COUNSEL AS DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE BOARD. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ANNUAL FORM 990 IS MADE AVAILABLE UPON SPECIFIC REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G PROFESSIONAL FEES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 109,762. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 312,577. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 422,339. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2C: THE ORGANIZATION DID NOT CHANGE EITHER ITS OVERSIGHT PROCESS OR SELECTION PROCESS DURING THE TAX YEAR.