QueensBotanical Garden

Annual Report 2015–2016

Wow! What a wonderful year to turn fifteen! You may be wondering how that can be … well, as a Leap Year baby my birthday comes around but once every four years—so when it arrives, it is cause for celebration! It has become a tradition at Queens Botanical Garden to host a birthday soiree that promotes all things GREEN (my favorite color) and raises much-needed funds in support of our seasonal horticulture intern program. With the help of so many friends, we raised $25,000 toward the intern fund!

The extra hands made a noticeable difference in the Garden where everything looked especially colorful and tidy this year.

In our quest to keep the Garden growing (and green!) we installed a new well in the Arboretum, making the area more garden-like and allowing us to use well-water for irrigation. The second stepped ramp was completed over the summer, making the bridge that connects QBG to Flushing Meadows-Corona Park more user-friendly—especially for cyclists. The Building Management System, which regulates temperature and electricity, is scheduled for completion by spring 2017. Special thanks to Borough President Melinda Katz who supported the ramp and BMS projects.

More than 10,000 tulips bloomed in spring, planted by volunteers the previous fall. In fact, this was a banner year for volunteer participation with 1,542 people giving of their time in the administrative offices, in visitor services, and of course—out in the field. Forty young people came to us through the City’s Summer Youth Employment Program. For many it was their first real job!

We served 241,392 people, including 31,824 schoolchildren and 7,254 teachers both onsite and through our community efforts throughout Queens. As part of a City-led initiative, we processed 4,236 IDNYC free memberships in 2015 and 2016. It was an honor to be asked to participate in this wildly successful program.

As part of a joint program with the Department of Sanitation, our Compost Outreach team collected organic matter and created 20 yards of compost to be used here at the Garden. Farm & Compost staff harvested 5,008 pounds of vegetables and donated 2,732 pounds to emergency food relief.

On behalf of the Board and staff of Queens Botanical Garden, thank you for all you do, allowing us to be the place where people, plants, and cultures meet.

See you in the Garden!

Susan Lacerte

Letter from the Executive Director

Highlights from 2016(Photos clockwise from top left) The petting zoo is popular with everyone at Arbor Fest • Little ones learn about plants and have fun in the new Garden Buds program • ConEdison volunteers help plant hundreds of tulip bulbs for spring • Vibrant hibiscus blooms are found in the Garden throughout the summer • A stunning display at the exhibit, Taiwan: A World of Orchids

Highlights from 2016(Photos clockwise from top left) Color Me Autumn is one of the most popular workshops for school children every year • Everyone wants to make a silly-faced pumpkin at Harvest Fest • Children grow vegetables and learn about healthy eating in The Children’s Garden | Sponsored by HSBC • QBG staff and volunteers working together at the QBG Farm & Compost site • Produce from the QBG Farm & Compost site ready for donation to City Harvest

Queens Botanical Garden Statement of Activities (unrestricted operation) as of June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015(In Thousands) 2016 2015 REVENUE (Excluding DCA Capital Funding)

New York City Department of Cultural Affairs $1,211 $1,252 Other Municipal Support 989 648 New York State 168 132 Foundations, Corporations, Other Private Support 363 354 Earned Revenue 1,013 811 Individual Contributions, Memberships, In-kind 225 192 Fundraising Special Events 107 112

TOTAL $4,076 $3,501

EXPENSES (Excluding DCA Capital Funding)

Education, Public Programs, Visitor Services $2,393 $1,773 Garden Collections and Exhibitions 1,286 1,178 Administration 383 322 Fundraising 257 146

TOTAL $4,319 $3,419

SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)* ($244) $82*NOTE: FY16 deficit is due to incurring a future liability for the post-retirement health benefit program because of an increase in the number of eligible full time staff and more staff members closer to retirement age. Operating expenses compared to revenue shows a $24k surplus, excluding the post-retirement benefit obligation liability.

Individual Contributions,

Memberships, InKind 6%

Fundraising 6%

Fundraising Special Events

3%

Earned Revenue

24%

Foundations, Corporations, Other Private

Support 9%

New York State 4% Other Municipal Support 24%

New York City Department of Cultural Affairs

30%

Administration 9%

Education, Public Programs, Visitor Services

55%

Garden Collections & Exhibitions

30%

RevenuesFY2016

Expenses FY2016

Program Expense Percentage: 85%

$100,000+ New York City Department of Cultural AffairsNew York City Department of SanitationNew York State

$50,000–99,999 HSBC Bank US, NA

$25,000–49,000 Con EdisonMr. & Mrs. Saul & Gail KupferbergNew York Community BankMr. & Mrs. Robert & Rovena Schirling

$10,000–24,999 Astoria BankRose M. Badgeley Residuary Chartiable TrustBroadway Stages, LTDThe Hyde and Watson FoundationThe Kupferberg FoundationEstate of Douglas LinderPfizer, Inc.Dr. Robert C. & Tina Sohn FoundationTD Charitable FoundationWAC Lighting Co./Mr. & Mrs. Tony & Tai WangMs. Andrea Woodner

$5,000–9,999 Aviation Development CouncilBloomberg L.P.Ms. Suzanne BrienzaMr. & Mrs. Shui Kai & Mui ChenMs. Digna ChuaCord Meyer Development LLCFarrell Fritz, P.C.Flushing BankFriends of Emily Wong/Ruth & Elliott JosephLin + Loveall Foundation/Emily Lin & James

LoveallLaw Offices of Gary S. ParkThe May and Samuel Rudin Family

FoundationSarah I. Schieffelin Residuary TrustThe Michael Tuch FoundationVariosystems, Inc.The Max and Selma Kupferberg Family

Foundation

$2,500–4,999 Amerasia BankMr. & Mrs. Michael & Cheryl BronsteinMr. & Mrs. Gary & Helen ChanMs. Aurora ChuaThe City Gardens Club of NYC

Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Julia ErmishMr. Ross A. Garon & Ms. Hong K. SuhMr. & Mrs. Edward & Joyce MorrillNew York Community Bank FoundationNew York-Presbyterian/QueensOne Point of Light FoundationMs. Renée E. RingRotary Club of FlushingTaipei Economic & Cultural Office In NYTaiwanese American Arts CouncilThe Walbridge Fund, LTDHoward L. Zimmerman Architects

$1,000–2,499 Bartlett Tree ExpertsBlondie’s Treehouse, Inc.CartwheelCathay BankMs. Maureen ChenDo H. Chung & PartnersCNK Consultants, Inc./Dr. Lung Fong ChenMs. Aline Euler & Mr. Henry EulerEuler-Revaz Family FoundationMr. Neil FleischmanGalvin Brothers, Inc.Mrs. Ah Ngain GeeGerner Kronick + Valcarcel, Architects, DPCGreat Enlightenment Lotus Society, Inc.Hong Kong Dragon Boat RacesMs. Pauline Huang & Mr. David WuMr. & Mrs. Raymond & Eva JasenMs. Susan Lacerte & Mr. Archie HobsonLaGuardia Community CollegeMs. Juliet (Lih Zen) Leu/New York Life

InsuranceThe Litwin Foundation, Inc.Mr. Yoshimitsu Maekawa & Ms. Weizhao LinMulan Restaurant, LLCOld Broadway LLCPrecious Tea Shop, Inc./Mr. Sweeney LeePrestone Printing CompanyPS 244Q/First grade classes 2016Queens Botanical Garden Tai ChiStop & Stor Charitable FundMr. & Mrs. Robert & Martha TaylorAnne & John J Walsh Foundation U/AWan Ja Shan InternationalYoung Woo & Associates, LLCWorld Flower Children’s Foundation

$500–999 At Home Dental/Kai D. Mai, DDS, P.C.Dr. Joon J. BangMrs. Marjorie Bhavnani

Mr. & Mrs. Anthony & Nancy BoweMr. Brian CareyMr. Kun Teng ChaoMs. Joanne ChaoMr. & Mrs. Cliff & Marie ChinMr. & Mrs. Albert CreccoMs. Stephanie EhrlichMr. Ferdinand GerberHofstra UniversityICS Agency Inc.Joe’s Crab ShackKanes Deli-Flushing DinerMr. Eugene T. KeltyMr. Yung Duk KimThe Honorable Peter A. KooMr. Michael Lee & Ms. Mei Fang WangLiberty Fabrication, Inc.Ms. Amy LosakMr. & Mrs. Kent & Eleanor MartinMr. Yuriy MedzhibovskiyMetro Management Development, Inc.Ms. Edith L. MeyerMr. Frank J. MirovskyMr. & Mrs. Chi & Lourdes MoMs. Lisa NearyPort Authority of NY & NJProfessional Maintenance of LI, Inc.Queens Ledger Greenpoint Star, Inc.Mr. Thomas ReapeMs. Janet Schneider & Mr. Michael SperendiMs. Patricia ShanleyMr. & Mrs. George & Connie StamatiadesTD Bank/Mr. Larry S. Oskowsky

$250–499 Ms. Palmina Grella AppelbaumMr. Raoul Bhavnani & Ms. Savitha ReddyMr. & Mrs. Jack & Marilyn BittermanMr. Louis Blumengarten*Mrs. Ruth BorgerMs. Ellen L. BorkerMr. & Mrs. Frank Buddingh’Ms. Nancy Ying ChanMr. & Mrs. Inshik & Sookza ChungJudge William Corbett & Reverend Ann

CorbettMs. Joan DavisMr. David DukoffMr. & Mrs. Joe & Annette FanaraMs. Jacqueline FazioFlushing YMCAGreater NY Social/Health Adult DCCMr. Kevin Haniff/NY Life InsuranceThe New York Unit, Herb Society of America,

Inc.Mr. John H. (Chong Hak) HongMs. Nazneen “Lucy” HossainMr. Richard HourahanMr. Edward C. M. KangThe Korean Community Servi. of MetroNYMs. Linda Lacerte

DonorsFiscal Year 2016 July 1, 2015–June 30, 2016

Mr. & Mrs. Willets MeyerMr. & Mrs. John MillerMr. & Mrs. James & Rose NicholasMr. Peter OngMs. Leslie PeoplesQueens College C.U.N.Y.Queens Council on the ArtsMr. & Mrs. Frank & Holly SantoroMr. & Mrs. Richard & Marjorie SchnallMs. Luise H. SchwabeMs. Rachel Sha & Mr. Chun Wa KoSheraton LaGuardia East HotelMr. & Mrs. David & Silvia Siegel R. G. SolbertMr. & Mrs. Kyung-Taik & Jung-Hee SonMr. & Mrs. Howard SzarfarcTristar Court Reporting IncUnited Way of Massachusetts Bay and

Merrimack ValleyMs. Bethany WallMs. Malini WilkesDr. Steven & Mrs. Anita WilliamsMr. & Mrs. Erwin & Margaret Wolf

$100–249 A. Alfieri Contractors Inc.Ms. Denise AbdaleMr. Timothy AurthurMr. Charles C. BalesMr. Warren BerksonMs. Theresa BonavolontaMs. Denise Boudietle & Mr. Edmund

GiegerichMr. & Mrs. Bhupin & Audrey ButaneyMr. Kevin CallahanMr. Michael CammerMr. & Mrs. Shee Kee & Carol P. ChanMrs. Mary ChanMs. Lee-Lee ChangMs. Heather (Li-Feng) ChaoMr. & Mrs. Christopher & Eunice ChapmanMr. & Mrs. Hwei Sze & Selina ChenColorblendsMr. & Mrs. David DeutschMr. & Mrs. William & JoAnn DobranskiMs. Paja Lee DonnellyMr. & Mrs. Kevin & Dorothea G. Weber DuffyMrs. Dawn DuncanDr. Jack EichenbaumMr. & Ms. David & Katie ElsilaMs. Lin EmeryExxon Mobil FoundationMr. Arthur FergusonMr. Joshua FeuersteinMr. Joel B. FilnerFloors UnlimitedMs. Kathleen GaffneyMr. Daniel GarodnickGeorge & T LLCDr. Andrew Greller

Mr. & Mrs. Nick & Eileen GuarinoHagedorn FundMs. Aija HannaMs. Felicia HaranMs. Darcy HectorMr. Timothy Heimerle & Mr. Richard LizotteMs. Kathryn HeintzMr. & Mrs. Neil & Anita HernandezMr. Robert HernandezMr. & Mrs. Carolee & George HildenbrandtMr. & Mrs. Richard HuffmanIndependent Landscaping Corp.Inland PrintingIntelisano & Associates/Mr. Robert IntelisanoMr. Richard IversenJamaica Estates AssociationJim Raia Investment Group, LLCJohn F. Kennedy Democratic ClubMr. & Ms. Michael & Sieglinde KarpfMr. Robert KeeganMr. Allan KramerMr. & Mrs. Raymond & Stella KwaMr. & Mrs. Dennis & Julie LacerteMs. Grace LeeMs. Elizabeth LeeMs. Sheila LewandowskiMr. & Mrs. Wai-Hung & Wing Yue LiMs. Yanny LieMr. Elvira LongordoMs. Irene Lucarelli & Mr. Michael VerackaMr. James LynnMr. Frank MacchioMs. Phyllis Malamud & Mr. Matt ClarkMs. Marguerite ManelaMr. & Mrs. Edward MarionMaspeth Federal Savings BankMr. & Mrs. Oskar & Rosalind MatznerMs. Elizabeth MercurioMr. Edward MertzMs. Ann Breen MetcalfeMs. Lisa MeyerMr. Edward MohylowskiMr. Arthur MorganMr. Kevan Moss & Mr. Stephen HorneNajco, LLCDr. Jacqueline NewmanNRG Curtailment Specialists, Inc.Mr. & Mrs. Arthur & Millicent O’ MeallyMs. Kim R. OhanianMs. Patricia OlmsteadMr. & Mrs. Barry & Dorie Pearlman

Perry Davis AssociatesMs. Betsy Pinover-SchiffMr. & Mrs. Jon & Anne PostynMs. & Mr. Doris & Igor PotapoffMr. & Mrs. Edward & Reva PotterMs. Michelle PressProfessional Mortgage Solutions, IncMr. & Ms. Bill & Judy RedwayResorts World Casino NYMs. Shari Romar & Mr. Mitchell ZykofskyMs. Jane SaferMs. Magda SalvesenMr. Walter SanchezMs. Margaret R. SavareseMr. & Mrs. William & Dawn SchlichMr. & Mrs. Greg & Patricia B. SherwoodMs. Aerry Shim & Hae Jin ShimMrs. Claire ShulmanMr. & Mrs. Howard & Arlyne SichermanMs. Melanie SiftonSkyline Cruise LinesDr. & Mrs. Warner & Carolyn SlackMr. & Mrs. Patrick SmithMs. Diane SprandelSteve Supply CorporationMr. & Mrs. Edward & Anne StraussDr. Ronald StritzlerMs. Elizabeth StrodeMs. Wei-Nee SungMr. Eric Louis TepermanMr. & Mrs. John & Marian ThielsenMs. Margaret Anne TockarshewskyMr. Gregory ToddMs. Veronica TsangTygaBox Systems, Inc./Ms. Nadine CinoMs. Radha Vatsal & Mr. Daniel WeltMr. Gabriel VelezMs. Phyllis VolinMs. Lisa Wagner Chih-Fang WangMr. Teh Hou WangMr. & Mrs. Jerry & Tamara WeintraubMr. Richard WeyhausenMr. & Mrs. Phillip & Martha WhiteMrs. Constance WingateMrs. Catherine WitherwaxMs. Rebecca Wolf & Mr. Gennadyi GurmanMr. & Mrs.Eldwin & Edwina WongMs. Lai Lin Yong

*Deceased

Board of Trustees as of 6/30/2016OfficersRovena Schirling, ChairSuzanne Brienza, Vice ChairNeil Fleischman, TreasurerMichael Bronstein, Secretary

TrusteesJoanne ChaoNadine CinoJulia Ermish Nazneen ‘Lucy’ HossainPauline HuangEdith L. Meyer Judy NgLarry OskowskyGary ParkFrank SantoroMichelle Stoddart

Ex-OfficioBill de Blasio, Mayor, City of New YorkMelinda Katz, Queens Borough PresidentMelissa Mark-Viverito, Speaker, New York City CouncilTom Finkelpearl, Commissioner, New York City Department of Cultural AffairsMitchell Silver, Commissioner, New York City Department of Parks & RecreationPhoto credits: Gina Baldwin, Jess Brey, Stephanie Ehrlich, Shari Romar, Anne Tan-Detchkov

Queens Botanical Garden MissionQueens Botanical Garden is an urban oasis where people, plants, and cultures are celebrated through inspiring gardens, innovative educational programs, and demonstrations of environmental stewardship.

Queens Botanical Garden is located on property owned in full by the City of New York, and its operation is made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. The New York City Council and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation provide a portion of the Garden’s general operating funds. The Queens Borough President and Queens elected representatives in the City Council and State Legislature provide leadership funding. Composting programs are supported by the New York City Department of Sanitation. Corporations, foundations, and individuals provide additional support.