McIntire Botanical Garden, Inc. Annual Report for Fiscal ......McIntire Botanical Garden, Inc.,...

McIntire Botanical Garden, Inc. Annual Report

for Fiscal Year 2016-2017

September 2017

McIntire Botanical Garden, Inc., Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2016-2017 of 9

This Annual Report to the City of Charlottesville from McIntire Botanical Garden, Inc., is a requirement of our Memorandum of Agreement. This Report includes the following:

Accomplishments from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017

Audited financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017

Specific goals for fiscal year 2017-2018

Accomplishments July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 Developed and approved a Request for Proposals (RFP) document in

preparation for procuring the actual landscape architectural design of the Garden’s 8.5 acres in McIntire Park East.

Increased our net equity by more than $130,000, an increase of 475

percent over the previous fiscal year.

Conducted a successful winter 2016 Annual Fund appeal that resulted in $30,350 in total gifts -- nearly triple the contributions of the winter 2015 appeal -- and a 17 percent increase in the number of donors.

Strengthened governance by formalizing MBG’s Standing Committees and creating charters for the Development, Education, Finance, Horticulture, Marketing, and Volunteer Committees.

Established a partnership in late 2016 with the Friends of Ian Robertson that provides funding for an annual lectureship and a structural element in the future Garden. Proceeds from the lectureship will help to support the Garden’s operations.

Began the planning for the 1st Annual Ian Robertson Legacy: Lectureship scheduled for September 30, 2017, at White Hall Vineyards.


Developed a Business Plan for the Garden that can be shared with prospective donors.

Selected, purchased, and began populating e-Tapestry development

database software to manage MBG's full and growing constituency that will serve as the foundation for all fundraising.

Planted a small flower bed in December 2016 at the Garden sign located at

the corner of Melbourne Road and the John W. Warner Parkway. This was accomplished with the help of volunteers using donated nursery product to beautify and symbolize the future Garden.

A small flower bed now encircles the sign at the corner of Melbourne Road and the John W. Warner Parkway.

Matched a $25,000 challenge donation in spring 2017 from Charlottesville-

based Great Eastern Management Company through contributions from 100 percent of the MBG Board, a $5,000 grant from Piedmont Master Gardeners Association, and contributions from 30 other donors. The


$50,000 raised will be used to help fund the RFP for the landscape architectural design of the 8.5 acres.

Hired a part-time Development Manager in June 2017 as an independent

contractor to add strategic focus, expertise, and momentum to our fundraising efforts.

Recruited a Volunteer Coordinator (volunteer position) and began to

review volunteer management software to more effectively oversee the current and future needs for a large cohort of volunteers.

Using earmarked donations from generous supporters, rebranded MBG

with a new logo featuring a native Virginia flower, published new Brand Guidelines, and launched a rebranded website and email newsletter to better differentiate and position the Garden for future fundraising activities.

Continued to raise awareness about the Garden and increase the number of

supporters through news releases to local media, social media engagement, email newsletters, presentations to The Senior Center, Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, the Philanthropic Educational Organization, the Renaissance School, Albemarle County Public Schools, Scottsville’s Bee City USA Celebration, Rivanna Garden Club, Albemarle Garden Club, Charlottesville Garden Club, and Dogwood Garden Club, visioning walks at the Garden property on National Public Gardens Day, and with tabling at Foods of All Nations, Whole Foods, the Virginia Native Plant Society’s Annual Plant Sale, Piedmont Landscape Association’s Annual Seminar, the Bartlett Tree Annual Seminar, and Scottsville’s Bee City USA Celebration. Albemarle Magazine published a full-page article about the Garden in its February/March 2017 issue.


Audited Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2017


Specific Goals for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Announce the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Master Plan for the

Garden to landscape architecture firms. We will contract with the firm selected in response to our RFP and obtain a Schematic Design as the basis for expanded fundraising that will allow for the preparation of construction documents.

Create and implement a strategic Development Plan.

Using the new eTapestry data system that dramatically increases our

capacity for outreach to our doubled constituent list, undertake a vigorous program of donor cultivation to support the design and construction of the Garden and to sustain it into the future.

Inaugurate a second Annual Fund appeal in spring 2018.

Accelerate the Board’s preparation for a full capital campaign in 2019 to fund the phased construction of the Garden.

Host the 1st Annual Ian Robertson Legacy: Lectureship fundraiser in fall 2017, assess the results, and begin preparations for the 2nd annual event in 2018.

Systematize our volunteer efforts with the purchase and use of volunteer management software for nonprofits.

Formalize the orientation program for new Board members.

Continue rebranding MBG with the new logo and messaging across all

communication platforms. Continue to increase public awareness about the Garden initiative.

Review and update the MBG Bylaws.

Review the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City of

Charlottesville.


Review and update the MBG Business Plan. Document MBG Policies and Procedures.

McIntire Botanical Garden, Inc. P.O. Box 6224, Charlottesville, VA 22906

www.mcintirebotanicalgarden.org [email protected]

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