2019-11-14T08:46:26-06:00 2018-12-31 SMITH & HOWARD PC 271 17TH STREET NW SUITE 1600 ATLANTA GA 30363 990 2018-01-01 586028607 Fernbank Inc % CATHERINE NOWELL FERN 4049296344 767 Clifton Road NE Atlanta GA 303071221 CATHERINE NOWELL EVP & CFO 4049296344 2019-11-15 true MARC A AZAR P91739349 4048746244 2019-11-15 50.58.246.46 67983820193185000004 2019-11-14 P 03E71B588808B0FF5983D80B7EA0DE9390D30583 8BC5F18042C5597B789CF739EBBEC1C32F515C8C 2018 2020-03-31 21:24:44Z Catherine Nowell 767 Clifton Road NE Atlanta GA 303071221 13564458 false X www.fernbankmuseum.org X 1939 GA ignite a passion for science, nature and human culture through exploration and discovery. 42 42 198 429 1037533 -110721 4545054 4841999 3599943 3703189 66696 271836 1870772 1947202 10082465 10764226 118045 127815 0 0 4324679 4371954 0 0 728682 7794268 7700354 12236992 12200123 -2154527 -1435897 44162218 42584442 1533241 1999512 42628977 40584930 X FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY INSPIRES A LIFELONG LEARNING OF NATURAL HISTORY THROUGH IMMERSIVE PROGRAMMING AND UNMATCHED EXPERIENCES TO ENCOURAGE A GREATER APPRECIATION OF OUR PLANET AND ITS INHABITANTS. FERNBANK IS DEDICATED TO STIMULATING AN INTEREST IN SCIENCE, THE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN CULTURE; RECONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE; AND RESTORING A SENSE OF WONDER IN THE NATURAL WORLD. FERNBANK VIEWS NATURAL HISTORY AS A STARTLINGLY CONTEMPORARY SUBJECT MATTER, ENCOMPASSING TWO OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ISSUES OF OUR TIME--THE DIVERSITY OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND THE DIVERSITY OF HUMAN CULTURE. FERNBANK PRESENTS THE CONCEPTS OF PHYSICAL, EARTH, LIFE AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN AN INTERACTIVE AND ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH A VARIETY OF PERMANENT EXHIBITIONS, SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS, GIANT SCREEN FILMS AND SIGNATURE PROGRAMS. AS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, FERNBANK SUPPORTS A VISITOR'S INTRINSIC DESIRE TO LEARN. OUR GOAL IS TO BUILD A MORE-INFORMED CITIZENRY, SCIENTIFICALLY AND CULTURALLY, THAT PLA false false 7554424 3604572 EXHIBITIONS AND GIANT SCREEN MOVIES SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DESCRIPTION. 953239 127815 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DESCRIPTION. 1257104 98617 STRATEGIC INITIATIVES SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DESCRIPTION. 9764767 true true false false false false false true false true true false false false false true true false false false false false false false true false false false true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 23 0 true 198 true true true false false false false true true false false false false false false X 42 42 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false GA X CATHERINE NOWELL 4049296344 767 CLIFTON ROAD NE Atlanta GA 303071221 X Jeffery B Baker BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Mark S Berry BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Myra C Bierria BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Hartley D Blaha BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ronald B Bobo BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sherri Crawford BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Kate Denny BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ryan Smith Dunlap BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Jason B Ferguson BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Teresa Finley BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Burch A Hanson BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ellen Langford Hayes BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Matthew G Heimermann BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Douglas B Herndon BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 W Ron Hinson BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Catherine Mitchell Jaxon BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Wab P Kadaba BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Anisa Telwar Kaicker BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Andrea M Kauffman BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Randolph J Koporc BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Cara Isdell Lee BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Bertram L Levy BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Matthew S Lewis BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Barbara F Martin BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ashley Miller BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Nancy T Montgomery BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 C David Moody Jr BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Randolph A Moore III BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sandra S Morelli BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Drew Atkinson Putt BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Sean Richards BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Joseph B Schultz BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Caryl G Smith BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Scott C Smith BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Natasha Swann BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Amanda Tucker BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Christopher Waits BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Cynthia Widner Wall BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 William L Warren BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Erin T Weis BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 C Christian Wooten BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 S Zachary Young BOARD MEMBER 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Jennifer Grant-Warner PRESIDENT/CEO 50.0 0.0 X 249498 0 4355 Catherine Nowell EVP, CFO & COO 50.0 0.0 X 188167 0 16595 Dana Harvey VP & CTO 50.0 0.0 X 115768 0 16616 Leslie Marlowe VP of Institutional Adv 50.0 0.0 X 102184 0 10283 655617 0 47849 4 false true false American Museum of Natural History Central Park West 79th St NEW YORK NY 10024 Exhibit rental 532780 Sysco PO Box 490379 COLLEGE PARK GA 30349 Food Service provide 269380 MEDIA IQ DIGITAL NA 261 5TH AVENUE 26TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10016 MARKETING SERVICES 134063 GEORGIA MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS INC 5195 BUFORD HIGHWAY NORCROSS GA 30071 JANITORIAL SERVICES 228500 WSB-TV PO Box 809036 CHICAGO IL 60680 Marketing Services 206255 7 1377441 607630 2856928 307457 4841999 MUSEUM ADMISSIONS 611600 2908387 2908387 IMAX ADMISSIONS 713990 696185 696185 EDUCATIONAL INCOME 611600 98617 98617 3703189 148230 148230 0 0 0 0 0 2007472 250 1884117 0 123355 250 123606 123606 167858 607630 169929 -2071 -2071 0 0 0 2683875 746186 1937689 900156 1037533 OTHER REVENUE 900099 11584 11584 11584 10764226 4614929 1037533 269765 0 127815 127815 0 0 593804 178356 389969 25479 0 3069658 1962091 657804 449763 58196 30535 19934 7727 359390 254959 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RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 1091649 X X X X false 6330362 -353732 27031 28578 5921021 5585887 815756 44325 26956 6330362 5298082 351042 41981 21256 5585887 5437580 -121290 18208 5298082 5446366 -7191 1595 5437580 0.00000 1.00000 0.00000 false false 2421005 2421005 645956 645956 0 52258130 29118970 23139160 3486589 2729113 757476 26317641 0 0 X 10297427 -608150 169929 -438221 10735648 28578 28578 10764226 12341474 169929 169929 12171545 28578 28578 12200123 Schedule D, Part III, Question 4 Fernbank Museum was created to encourage and advance the study and understanding of natural history by disseminating knowledge of the Earth and life upon it. We seek to develop a comprehensive collection for exhibition and education for students and visitors of all ages, as well as for research by curators and visiting scholars. As a natural history museum, we will collect and maintain a repository of biological, anthropological, geological and paleontological specimens that will be used to develop engaging exhibits, educational programs and resources to provide our visitors with opportunities to learn more about the earth and its inhabitants, both past and present. Schedule D, Part V, Question 4 THE OVER ALL FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES OF THE ENDOWMENT ARE TO SUPPORT THE CURRENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS OF THE MUSEUM PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO THE FERNBANK FOREST AND TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE ENDOWMENT. THE ENDOWMENT'S INVESTMENT POLICY IS STRUCTURED TO ACHIEVE RETURNS IN EXCESS OF THE RATE OF INFLATION TO PRESERVE THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED ASSETS AS WELL AS EMPHASIZE GROWTH OF PRINCIPAL WHILE AVOIDING EXCESSIVE RISK. THE ENDOWMENT'S SPENDING POLICY ALLOWS FOR DISTRIBUTIONS UP TO 4.5% OF A TRAILING THREE YEAR AVERAGE OF THE MARKET VALUE OF THE TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED ENDOWMENT FUND FOR SPECIFIED ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES. Schedule D, Part III, Question 1a In accordance with GAAP, donated collections are recorded at commercial market value, determined by independent appraisal. Purchased collection items are recorded at cost. Collections are not depreciated. --- The value of collections donated by individuals prior to the current method of recording donated collections, including the gem stone collection and other works of art, are not recorded. However, the Organization's gem stone collection is extensive and has substantial value based upon appraisals of the items at the time of their donation. Schedule D, Part XI, Question 2d The $169,929 is due to fundraising expenses. Schedule D, Part XII, Question 2d The $169,929 is due to fundraising expenses. Schedule D, Part X, Question 2 Fernbank, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization which is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes is reflected in the accompanying financial statements. The Organization annually evaluates all federal and state income tax positions. This process includes an analysis of whether these income tax positions the Organization takes meet the definition of an uncertain tax position under the Income Taxes Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Codification. The Organization does not believe it has any uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2018. In the normal course of business, the Organization is subject to examination by the federal and state taxing authorities. In general, the Organization is no longer subject to tax examinations for tax years ending before December 31, 2015. TIMELESS 775488 607630 167858 46452 60305 13290 49882 0 775488 607630 167858 46452 60305 13290 49882 169929 -2071 true Reduced Admission 19677 127815 FMV Reduced Admission Schedule I, Part I, Question 2 The grants reflect the free admission provided to families in need and Title 1 students. For example, when a Title 1 school visits the museum and the associated school is considered to have 80% Title 1 Students, then the school is given an 80% grant of the total museum admission cost. X X X X X X false false false false false false false true false Jennifer Grant-Warner PRESIDENT/CEO 249498 0 0 0 0 0 3853 0 1443 0 254794 0 0 0 Catherine Nowell EVP, CFO & COO 178167 0 10000 0 0 0 3734 0 13801 0 205702 0 0 0 Schedule J, part I, Question 7 employee bonuses are awarded on a performance basis. X 109150 fmv X 15 198307 FMV false true true Schedule M, Part I, Question 32b SunTrust Bank receives readily marketable stock gifts and sells them immediately upon receipt. Schedule M, Number of Contributions The Number of Contributions is determined by the number of contributions received not the number of items received. Part VI, Section A, Question 11b As stated in the Finance & Audit Committee Charter adopted on August 3, 2006, the Form 990 is reviewed by the Finance & Audit Committee, a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees prior to filing with the IRS. A complete copy of the Form 990 was made available on the Museum's web site and a link was provided to each Board Trustee. Part VI, Section B, Question 12c A full copy of the Conflict of Interest Statement is provided to each Trustee at the first board meeting of the year. Each Trustee is required to sign an acknowledgement of receipt, indicates any potential conflicts of interest, and returns it to the Museum. A control list is maintained to ensure all acknowledgements are returned. The Museum recognizes a conflict of interest as occurring when an interested person defined as any trustee, principal officer or member of a committee with board-delegated powers has a direct or indirect financial interest or compensation arrangement through business, investment or family. Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are substantial in nature. All potential conflicts are reviewed by a committee of the board to determine whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Museum's best interest and for its own benefit and whether the transaction is fair and reasonable to the Museum and shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement in conformity with such determination. If the board committee determines a conflict of interest does exist, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action. Part VI, Section B, Question 15a Compensation for the President/CEO is determined by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Compensation and benefit information is gathered from human resource consultants pertaining to both museums of comparable size and nature and other regional cultural institutions. The information is reviewed by the Executive Committee and a compensation package is developed and approved. PART VI, SECTION B, QUESTION 15B All other officers' compensation is determined in a similar process as to that of the President/CEO; however, the process is performed by Human Resources Staff and all other officers are not under contract. Part VI, Section C, Question 19 The Museum's governing documents including Fernbank's Charter and Articles of Incorporation, its mission statement and strategic plan, ethics policy, collections policy, privacy policy, gift policy, investment policy, endowment policy, conflict of interest policy, whistle blower policy, document retention policy and finance committee charter and current Form 990 are available upon request through the finance Department at 767 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30307 for a nominal fee. The Museum's audited financial statements are available on-line through the Museum's web site. Form 990, Part III, Question 4a Exhibits and giant screen movies: Fernbank Museum offers a diversity of programming, including a variety of exhibitions and films. In 2018, Fernbank presented four special exhibitions, The Secret World Inside You, FOOD: Our Global Kitchen, Fernbank Forest: Designed by Nature and Natures Superheroes. Continuing to offer annual favorites, Fernbank presented its ninth annual Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions from Around the World, a festive holiday exhibit which serves as a unique presentation of cultural celebrations and traditions. Fernbank also offered 18 family-oriented Discovery Days that offered hands-on activities, demonstrations, STEM experiences and cultural programming connected to our exhibits, movies, nature and more. In 2018, Fernbanks giant screen theater continued to provide state-of-the-art 4K digital projection with both 3D and 2D capabilities, providing a truly immersive experience. Films shown utilizing the enhanced 3D capability included Earth Flight 3D, Museum Alive 3D, Flight of the Butterflies 3D, Great Barrier Reef 3D, Incredible Predators 3D, and Oceans Our Blue Planet 3D. Other film programming included Backyard Wilderness, The Search for Life in Space and Tiny Giants. In 2018, through these interactive exhibits, thought-provoking movies and hands-on experiences, Fernbank continued to introduce visitors to cultures around the globe, create STEM-rich learning experiences and highlight important environmental issues facing the world today to encourage a deeper understanding of our planet and its inhabitants. Form 990, Part III, Question 4b Educational Programs: Fernbank is committed to offering the highest-quality educational programming designed to complement the museum experience as well as through in-school learning. Programs are designed for a variety of audiences at all stages of life, including adults, families, and school children. In 2018, Fernbank offered more than 500 exploratory science classes and delivered enhanced, on-site laboratory and classroom programs to roughly 12,500 of the 50,000 kindergarten through 12th grade students who visited as part of a field trip. All museum programs, exhibits and films are designed to meet or exceed Next Generation Standards, enhancing the classroom experience and bringing science to life through hands-on experiences. Additionally, Fernbank continued its monthly adult science night, Fernbank After Dark reaching a young adult audience of 14,800 visitors. This series offers the unique opportunity to experience the Museum after-hours and participate in a variety of hands-on science activities led by Fernbank educators during an adults-only environment. One of Fernbanks most innovative on-site programs is Urban Watch Atlanta, a 4-hour hands-on environmental science program for middle and high school students that provides a guided ecological hike, hands-on activities and restoration work in the 65-acre old-growth Fernbank Forest. During implementation of this program, Fernbanks educators served 700 students in 2018 alone. Fernbank also reached 749 underserved preschool and pre-K students through the PNC Grow Up Great program that provides integrated art and science programming, including customized field trip opportunities, in-classroom experiences and science resource kits for families and teachers. For families and children, the Museum offered Excellent Experiments, Tadpole Tales, live animal encounters, family Discovery Days, guided Forest walks and more. These programs provided visitors with new experiences with each visit, allowing them to delve deeper into themes presented throughout the museum at age-appropriate levels. Form 990, Part III, Question 4c Strategic Initiatives: Fernbanks strategic plan called for the Museum to fulfill its unique environmental legacy in its preservation and stewardship of Fernbank Forest--the largest old-growth Piedmont forest in a major metropolitan area--by leveraging the entire campus to foster a deeper connection to the natural world. In 2016, the Museum debuted WildWoods, a 10-acre outdoor nature experience featuring paths, elevated walkway, tree pods, exhibitions and an education pavilion that serve as the museums new interpretive entrance into Fernbank Forest. During 2018, Forest Rangers and facilitators engaged visitors along the 1.7 miles of hiking trails and introduced them to the natural wonders of Fernbank Forest and the delicate balance of its eco systems. Fernbank personnel, volunteers and specialists continued to improve the health of the forest by continuing to remove non-native invasive plant species, allowing for regrowth of the natural seed bank and restoration of the Forest.