Calendar Issue - UT Gardens - The University of Tennessee

Annual Report 2007
Established in 1992, the Friends of the University
of Tennessee Gardens is an 800-member nonprofit
501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to advocate,
promote and raise funds for the Gardens from citizens
on the university campus, in the community and
across the state.
Internally, the Friends continued to improve the operations
of a rapidly growing organization, adding for
the first time a quarter-time executive director to
a part-time administrator and a part-time coordinator
for member services. In 2007, membership
increased nearly 30 percent and funds raised grew by
more than 85 percent.
On behalf of the Gardens, the Friends joined forces
with community groups, professionals and contractors
to complete two major projects:
With a grant of $5,000 in 2006 from the
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Knoxville Garden Club, a project involving input
and art work from schoolchildren and twig artist
Kelly Brown assisted garden designer Sherae
Patterson and the Gardens staff to complete
renovation of the Touchstone Table Garden in
2007. A second grant of $10,000 in late 2007
from the KGC has also been awarded in recognition
of the club’s 85 th Anniversary and the
Gardens’ 25 th Anniversary, both to be celebrated
in 2008.
Beginning with a signal donation of $10,000
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from Henry McIlwaine Jr. in 2006, and a challenge
grant from an anonymous donor of another
$10,000, the Friends leveraged additional
funding from members, new donors and corporate
sponsors to continue Phase 2 and Phase 3
of the Friendship Plaza reconstruction, valued
at nearly $100,000, in 2007. All basic hardscaping
elements were to be finished by the end
of 2007. The Plaza will afford a gathering place
with flexible configuration for many different
types of events. A final phase will seek to match
remaining features with donors. Still awaiting
final decision as the year came to an end was a
grant from the University Campus Beautification
for furnishings. A final report on this project
should be available by early 2008.
In 2007, the Friends of the University Gardens demonstrated
support for the Gardens by:
Continuing discussion with University of
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Tennessee Institute of Agriculture administrators
for how best to obtain and fund experienced,
executive leadership for the Gardens in order to
help make them sustainable and build support
in the community for additional personnel and
infrastructure.
Meeting with state industry and community
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leaders to explore prospects for cooperation and
more substantial funding for this horticultural
resource.
Developing relationships for the long term
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for stewardship of public service aspects of
the Gardens, both in the present and future
locations.
Collaborating with other community groups in
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demonstrating the value of nearby nature, gardens
and public spaces to the quality of life
of our citizens.
Supporting student interns in spring, summer and
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fall with funding of $24,640.
Facilitating educational programs.
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Surveying visitors to the Gardens.
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Beginning planning for celebration of the Gardens
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Silver Anniversary in 2008.
Forming a Silver Anniversary Friends Committee,
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headed by Posey Congleton with honorary chairs
Dr. Joe Johnson, president emeritus,
and Deb DiPietro
The Friends promoted the Gardens in 2007 with:
դդA first set of eight directional signs from Kingston
Pike and Neyland Drive installed by the Tennessee
Department of Transportation.
դդA first full color feature in East of 75 sponsored by
Morristown Printing.
դդA first co-op advertisement in the CityView
philanthropy issue sponsored by Stanley’s
Greenhouses.
դդA three-way cooperative venture with WUOT-FM
and University of Tennessee Personal and
Professional Development for promoting 10
educational courses attended by 179 students,
only 22 of whom were members of the Friends.
Regularly updated welcome boards, brochures and
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newsletters in the Gardens.
Distribution of the rack cards in all East Tennessee
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tourist welcome centers.
A third printing of the development brochure with
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a full spectrum of opportunities for support.
դդRegular publicity sent to 65 East Tennessee and UT
media for at least 60 recurring and special events
in the Gardens, as well as central distribution for
main events through the Tennessee Department
of Tourist Development.
դ դThe Garden Post newsletter, reaching more than
8,000 readers in eight issues.
Periodic listserv advisories and queries to nearly
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200 subscribers, plus a regularly updated Web site.
12 community appearances with talks to over 800
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participants.
The Friends raised funds for the Gardens in 2007 by:
դդDeveloping case statements for increased public
support of the Gardens.
Developing contacts and beginning conversations
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with donors to the Gardens for permanent recognition
on the new marble donor wall in the Plaza.
դդMaintaining accurate listings of donors and making
timely acknowledgements in cooperation with the
UTIA Development Office.
դդAttracting our first major corporate donor—the UT
Federal Credit Union—in anticipation of celebration
of the 25 th Anniversary of the Gardens in
2008.
Increasing membership in the Friends nearly 30
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percent and income by more than 85 percent.
Soliciting donations and in-kind contributions for
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two student projects and two renovation projects
in the Gardens, including many essential special
features such as a secure donation box and
visitor counters.
Presenting the fifth Annual Blooms Days Festival
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in collaboration with the East Tennessee
Research and Education Center, the
Knoxville Experiment Station, the Institute
of Agriculture and the UT Plant Sciences
Department, attracting 32 sponsors, more than
2,500 attendees, and earning a profit of $18,500.
Presenting 10 Secret Garden Parties at distinդդ
guished gardens in the community with 40 hosts,
five sponsors, and more than 660 guests—earning
a profit of $20,000.
Working with Gardens’ staff to present two plant
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sales in spring and fall—earning a profit of $7,000.
դդA sixth printing in just two years of 20,000 copies
of our main full color rack cards for the Gardens—
դդManaging volunteers at events (not counting hours
Discover a Passion: A Passion for the Public,
for board members and officers) for a total participation
of 1,407 hours—a value of $28,140.
with corporate sponsorship by Cortese Tree
Specialists Inc.
4 5
FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
TENNESSEE GARDENS
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT
2007
INCOME
Public Support
Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . .61,205.00
Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 531.73
Sponsorship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,100.00
Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,420.29
Donated Services and In-Kind . . . . 108,876.11
Total Public Support . . . . . . . . . 210,133.13
Revenues
Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,620.00
Events and Sales . . . . . . . . . . . 75,655.33
Investment and Interest Income . . . . . 419.98
Total Revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . 77,695.31
Total Income . . . . . . . . . . . .287,828.44
EXPENSES
Program Services
Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,344.20
Student Interns and Gardens Projects 159,328.50
Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73,668.44
Total Program Services . . . . . . . . 235,341.14
Supporting Services
Management and General . . . . . . .20,581.07
Membership and Donor Services . . . 16,447.27
Total Supporting Services . . . . . . .37,028.34
Total Expenses . . . . . . . . . . .272,369.48
ASSETS
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15,458.96
Net Assets - Beginning . . . . . . . . . 54,495.53
Net Assets - Ending . . . . . . . . 69,954.49