Friends of Balboa Park

“Board of trustees chair, connie matsui, has a family relationship with highly compensated employee, sarah beckman.”

“On July 1, 2021, under an Agreement of Merger, the Friends of Balboa Park (FoBP) merged with the Balboa Park Conservancy (the Conservancy). The merged organization now operates under the name of Forever Balboa Park. Following the merger, the corporate existence of FoBP continued and the separate corporate existence of the Conservancy ceased. The articles of incorporation and the bylaws of FoBP were amended and restated to reflect the primary rules governing the management of both entities. The merger between FoBP and the Conservancy did not involve the transfer of any consideration.”

“The form 990 is first presented to the audit committee. The audit committee presents the form 990 to the full board of trustees. In each case the committee/board receives the form 990 in advance of the meeting.”

“An annual Conflict of Interest Policy and Disclosure Form is required to be reviewed and signed by all Board Members.”

“The CEO's performance is reviewed annually by the Executive Committee, with input from the entire Board of Trustees.”

“All governing documents, financial statements, and other public documents are available for inspection at the organization's office upon request.”

“Merger:On July 1, 2021, under an Agreement of Merger, the Friends of Balboa Park (FoBP) merged with the Balboa Park Conservancy (the Conservancy). The merged organization now operates under the name of Forever Balboa Park. Following the merger, the corporate existence of FoBP continued and the separate corporate existence of the Conservancy ceased. The articles of incorporation and the bylaws of FoBP were amended and restated to reflect the primary rules governing the management of both entities. The merger between FoBP and the Conservancy did not involve the transfer of any consideration.The merger was accounted for by combining all of the assets and liabilities of the Conservancy and FoBP. The amounts recognized as of the merger date for each major class of assets and liabilities and each class of net assets on July 1, 2021.”

“As a result of the merger on July 1, 2021, Forever Balboa Park has undertaken the following new program services during the year:Balboa Park Visitors Center: Retail Operations and Guest ServicesThe Balboa Park Visitors Center informs, educates, and serves over 600,000 visitors annually. The largest visitor center in the region, the Parks Visitors Center is supported by multilingual staff and volunteers with diverse backgrounds, who are trained to promote parkwide institutions and activities and to provide free and custom tours, maps, and information. The Visitors Center operates a gift store to offset the cost of visitor services and sells essential visitor amenities along with Park multi-museum passes, and zoo and harbor tickets.House of Hospitality: Historic Facilities, GardensThe Organization maintains and preserves the House of Hospitality, a National Historic Landmark building, providing clean public restrooms, ongoing facility care, and security for tenants and visitors. The Visitors Center is housed in the House of Hospitality, along with the Organizations offices, The Prado Restaurant, a ballroom, meeting rooms, and offices for nonprofit cultural and educational organizations operating within the Park. The House of Hospitality serves visitors numbering over 1,000,000 each year.Park ActivationThe Organization supports the City of San Diegos Parks and Recreation Department in placemaking and Park activation endeavors, including food truck events, parkwide tours, clean-ups, community tree plantings, and December Nights. In addition to events, the Organization works with other Park stakeholders to provide important infrastructure and programming that supports community connection in public spaces.Capital Projects: Botanical Building and GardensIn the fall of 2013, the Organizations volunteer Board of Trustees decided to proceed with an inaugural capital improvement project, the rehabilitation and restoration of the iconic Botanical Building and Gardens in Balboa Park. Situated at the center of the Parks central mesa, the Botanical Building is one of the most visited and photographed structures in the Park. The Botanical Building was constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition as one of just four structures intended to remain as permanent.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Parkwide VolunteersThe Organization recruits, trains, and retains volunteers to support an array of Park needs, from horticulture to visitor experience. Growing to more than 340 volunteers strong, current programs include: Park Ambassadors, Tree Stewards, Garden Stewards, Rose Garden Corps, Tour Guides, and Information Desk Volunteers. Volunteers perform vital functions within the Park, and the program is certified by the Points of Light Foundation as an official Service Enterprise organization, one of only 11% nonprofits nationwide. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: Park ActivationThe Organization supports the City of San Diegos Parks and Recreation Department in placemaking and Park activation endeavors, including parkwide tours, clean-ups, community tree plantings, and December Nights. In addition to events, the Organization works with other Park stakeholders to provide important infrastructure and programming that supports community connection in public spaces. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: Park ImprovementThe Organizations process for selecting Park Improvement programs and capital improvement projects includes regular collaboration with, and ongoing input from, Park stakeholders and the City of San Diego. The Organizations lead programs and projects that sustain and enhance the Park include the following initiatives: Trees and Reforestation - a comprehensive tree inventory, site-specific tree plantings, and a CAL Fire-funded initiative to plant 500 trees in the Park as well as ongoing maintenance and care for Balboa Park's urban forest. Wayfinding and Signage - a comprehensive signage inventory to improve the visitor experience and enhance access, circulation, and orientation. Planning, Design, and Outreach - collaborative planning, design, and outreach, including a series of stakeholder meetings and support for programs.Gardens Enhancement (a) uMaintenance and enhancement of Balboa Park's GARDENS THROUGHOUT THE PARK, using volunteers and staff and (b) MANAGEMENT OF AN ADOPT A PLOT PROGRAM, GUIDING PLOT ADOPTERS IN CREATING AND MAINTAINING THEIR DESIGNATED PLOTS. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 7: Capital Projects: Botanical Building and GardensIn the fall of 2013, the Organizations volunteer Board of Trustees decided to proceed with an inaugural capital improvement project, the rehabilitation and restoration of the iconic Botanical Building and Gardens in Balboa Park. Situated at the center of the Parks central mesa, the Botanical Building is one of the most visited and photographed structures in the Park. The Botanical Building was constructed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition as one of just four structures intended to remain as permanent.The Organization embarked on a joint endeavor with the City of San Diego to restore and enhance the Botanical Building and Gardens. The Organization is conducting a capital campaign to raise the additional funds necessary for comprehensive exterior gsrden improvements.”

“Balboa park conservancy merged net assets (95-0850465) = $2944883”

“The merger was accounted for by combining all of the assets and liabilities of the conservancy and fobp on july 1, 2021. Accordingly, the current year amounts in this filing represent the combined entity, while the prior years' amounts are those of fobp(owing to its status as the continuing corporate entity).”