Worcester Business Journal

58 Giving Guide 2022 Worcester Business Journal www.wbjournal.com New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill 1. Continue to invest in our talented staff, to expand their practical knowledge base and leadership skills. 2. Continue our commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility by increasing staff and board training, assessing our progress against a targeted action plan. 3. Expand youth and family programing. 4. Engage community groups and leaders to create programs based on the intersection of their needs and our resources and mission. 5. Teach plant-based solutions to climate change and sustainable horticultural practices through our gardening and programming. 6. Increase our sustainable gardening practices by converting fuel burning landscape equipment to electric/solar, developing new gardens that promote carbon sequestration, implementing new techniques for stormwater management, and increasing our use of biological controls to control plant pests and invasive plant species. 7. Continue to renovate existing garden hardscape to make it universally accessible to all. 8. Showcase our horticultural expertise by expanding our plant collections of both native plants to our region, as well as rare and unusual plants in both our outdoor gardens and conservatories. Grace C. Elton, Chief Executive Officer Lisa McDonough, Board Chair MISSION STATEMENT SERVICE AREA: As the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, we serve the region from Greater Worcester to Massachusetts to New England. As a popular botanic garden, we welcome visitors from all over the country and the world. To create experiences with plants that inspire people and improve the world. General Garden and Night Lights admission (30%), Membership (15%) and support from individual donors (12%). TOP FUNDING SOURCES: Lisa McDonough, FLEXcon, President Catherine Colinvaux, Lawyer (Retired), Vice President Thomas Halpin, West Boylston Public Schools, Vice President Richard Leif, IT Professional (Retired), Vice President Michael Pagano, Architect (Retired), Vice President Diane Robbins, Development Professional (Retired), Vice President Kent dur Russell, Former Curator & CEO, Museum of Russian Icons (Retired), Vice President Matthew Mattus, Horticulture Author, Secretary Michael Machnowski, Managing Partner, The Berry Group, Treasurer UlumPixan Athoh'il Farming Director/ Education Coordinator and member owner, Tuck Away Farm Matthew Beaton, Sr. Vice President, TRC Companies Patricia Bigelow, President, Bigelow Nurseries Curtis Falzoi, President, Donohue Industries Dr. Abraham Haddad, Periodontist, Handsman & Haddad Periodontics, P.C. M Howard Jacobson, Owner (Retired), Idle Wild Foods Indira Maini, Guidance Counselor (Retired); Worcester Garden Club Samantha McDonald, Lawyer, Bowditch & Dewey Shiamin Melville, Financial Services and Benefits Management; Chair of ISW University (India Society of Worcester) Barbara Morse, Healthcare Administration (Retired); Owner, Rooms and Blooms Dennis Murphy III, Treasurer & Sales Associate, Murphy Insurance Agency Elizabeth Myska, Attorney, Elder Law Susan Palatucci, Wellness Counselor, Usana Health Sciences Dr. Martha Pappas, Public School Teacher & Administrator (Retired) Stephen Pitcher, Owner, Leadership Transitions Emily Wood, Principal and Vice President, Grimes & Company New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill 11 French Drive Boylston, MA 01505 Phone: (508) 869-6111 www.nebg.org Full-time employees: 55 Annual revenues: $6,415,389 Year founded: 1842 BOARD OF DIRECTORS FUTURE GOALS We seek individuals, corporate, and community groups who want to volunteer for gardening (weeding, planting, deadheading, pruning, raking, and sweeping); participating in youth education Nature Play activities in the Ramble such as music, and imaginary play stations, story reading, youth drop-in craft and science activities during special events; as Garden Guides who give conversational tours to guests; Event Greeters; Garden Explainers who answer guest questions while walking the gardens; in the Garden Shop; or during Night Lights. Corporate volunteer groups can donate their time in the gardens working together on group projects such as fall clean up, weeding, planting, deadheading, pruning, raking, and sweeping or for youth education drop-in activities such as nature crafts, and science stations during special events. All volunteers are screened and, after filling out an application, participate in a phone interview, a background check, and orientation. Giving Week September 7 – 14, 2022: Help "Grow the Garden," featuring a matching gift challenge, opportunities to win unique Garden experiences, including Night Lights tickets, adult and children's classes, Garden Shop discounts, private picnics, behind- the-scenes tours, or garden dedications. Give online at nebg.org or in-person at the Garden. Join us for the Friday, September 9th Concert and Garden Stroll to celebrate Giving Week and help Grow the Garden! FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES POST-PANDEMIC: The shock of closing our gate to our staff, members, and visitors forced us to review our plans and assumptions for the next 12-18 months. What did we learn? We learned that our staff and supporters are our greatest resources, then and now. We learned that we had to adapt to forces beyond our control, rethink our financial strategies, and adapt our public programming. We honed our entrepreneurial approach, and we learned to pivot. We will not lose that focus. We will be open, creative, and rely on our staff and supporters to fulfill our mission. "New England Botanic Garden (NEBG) is a place where everyone can find their connection to nature – a connection to their very soul. The variety of plants and beauty on display in every season year-round is astounding. Finding solace, connecting to the natural world, and enjoying beauty that opens the mind creatively is what resonates about NEBG at Tower Hill for me. It is in the stillness that one may catch their breath and engage all their senses in the world of nature surrounding them." – Lisa McDonough We send Fall, Winter, and Spring annual appeals by mail; online and in-person donations are welcomed year-round. Our John Green Society, annual donors of $1,500+ or under 40 years $1,000, is a community of supporters committed to our mission. Members have opportunities to deepen their connection with the Garden and fellow members through unique events. We offer cultivated formal gardens, wild habitats, woodland trails, a vegetable garden grown to share with food pantries, art, and plant exhibitions, as well as educational programs that attract people from all ages and backgrounds. We plant and grow trees in Greater Worcester, beautify city spaces, and serve our community with outreach youth education and horticulture programs. With more than 60,000 visitors to Night Lights, corporate sponsorship opportunities abound for all exhibitions and events. The Ramble – a new garden for children and families – has sharpened and expanded our focus on developing the next generation of nature's stewards. GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

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