2014-11-13T15:53:00-06:00 2013-12-31 SMITH & HOWARD PC 271 17TH STREET SUITE 1600 ATLANTA GA 30363 990 2013-01-01 586028607 Fernbank Inc % CATHERINE NOWELL FERN 4049296344 767 Clifton Road NE Suite Atlanta GA 303071221 Catherine NOwell SVP & CFO 4048746244 2014-11-15 true MARC AZAR P00746804 4048746244 2013 2015-11-30 17:44:51Z Catherine A Nowell 767 Clifton Road NE Atlanta GA 303071221 16559559 false X www.fernbankmuseum.org X 1939 GA The museum's mission is to inspire lifelong learning of natural history through immersive programming to encourage a greater appreciation of our planet and its inhabitants. 32 32 164 250 803914 -244072 4675222 10819355 3164374 3393037 11429 5977 1623447 1540157 9474472 15758526 89280 91927 0 0 4347964 4057286 21586 6612 546412 6051052 5975807 10509882 10131632 -1035410 5626894 27665115 32771171 1426443 904878 26238672 31866293 X FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 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. THE MUSEUM'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING OF NATURAL HISTORY THROUGH IMMERSIVE PROGRAMMING AND UNMATCHED EXPERIENCES TO ENCOURAGE A GREATER APPRECIATION OF OUR PLANET AND ITS INHABITANTS. 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 14 PERMANENT EXHIBITS AND FEATURES, ANNUAL SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS AND A HOST OF 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 C false false 713990 6734965 91927 3301027 Exhibitions and Films see Schedule O for Description. 611600 999804 66447 Educational Programs see Schedule O for Description. 611600 419538 Strategic Initiatives see Schedule O for Description. 8154307 true true false false false false false true false true true false false false true 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 17 0 true 164 true true true false false false false true true false false false false X 32 32 true false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false GA X X CATHERINE NOWELL 4049296344 767 CLIFTON ROAD NE Atlanta GA 303071221 X Melissa T Allen Board Member 1.0 X Ashish Bahl Board Member 1.0 X Jeffery B Baker Board Member 1.0 X Hartley D Blaha Board Member 1.0 X Ronald B Bobo Board Member 1.0 X Sherri Crawford Board Member 1.0 X Carol G Doty Board Member 1.0 X Ryan Smith Dunlap Board Member 1.0 X Arnold B Evans Board Member 1.0 X Teresa Finley Board Member 1.0 X Darrell Fitzgerald Board Member 1.0 X Rick Frazier Board Member 1.0 X Deborah Hodge Harrison Board Member 1.0 X Dorothy Smith Hines Board Member 1.0 X Fay S Howell Board Member 1.0 X Wab P Kadaba Board Member 1.0 X Randolph J Koporc Board Member 1.0 X Ronnie R Labrato Board Member 1.0 X Cara Isdell Lee Board Member 1.0 X Kevin A Maxim Board Member 1.0 X Richard V McPhail Board Member 1.0 X Ashley Miller Board Member 1.0 X Randolph A Moore Board Member 1.0 X W Hampton Morris Board Member 1.0 X Melanie M Platt Board Member 1.0 X Drew Atkinson Putt Board Member 1.0 X Sean Richards Board Member 1.0 X Jake Ring Board Member 1.0 X Joseph B Schultz Board Member 1.0 X Rebecca S Shepherd Board Member 1.0 X William L Warren Board Member 1.0 X John B Zellars Jr Board Member 1.0 X 0 0 0 Susan Neugent President & CEO 55.0 X 212000 Aneli Nugteren Exec VP & COO 50.0 X 141085 13571 Catherine Nowell Sr. VP & CFO 50.0 X 140508 10445 Jennifer Grant-Warner Sr. VP & CPO 50.0 X 123861 5563 Dana Harvey VP & CTO 50.0 X 94028 12726 711482 0 42305 4 false true false sysco po box 490379 COLLEGE PARK GA 30349 food service 271849 georgia maint solutions inc 2841 east mount tabor circle DULUTH GA 30096 janitorial svcs 185700 imax corporation 2525 SPEAKMAN DR SHERIDAN PARK MISSISSAUGA ONTARIO CA L5K 1B1 film rentals 179169 contemporanea progetti VIA DIRICORBOLI 5R FLORENCE 0 IT 50126 temp exhibit 168755 museum of new zealand PO BOX 467 CABLE STREET WELLINGTON WELLINGTON NZ 6011 temp exhibit 140000 9 1118161 559683 9141511 299898 10819355 MUSEUM ADMISSIONS 611600 2142483 2142483 IMAX ADMISSIONS 713990 1184107 1158544 25563 EDUCATIONAL INCOME 611600 66447 66447 3393037 10010 10010 0 0 0 0 0 3300 7333 -4033 -4033 -4033 135921 559683 136871 -950 -950 0 2168370 656829 1511541 733190 778351 OTHER REVENUE 900099 29566 29566 29566 15758526 4130230 803914 5027 0 91927 91927 0 0 756752 313797 442955 0 2769403 1973778 461470 334155 0 254587 185277 57695 11615 276544 182491 67480 26573 0 1110 1110 74920 74920 0 6612 6612 0 0 830148 830148 229696 24496 189607 15593 117563 117563 0 1120598 1120598 0 0 0 0 0 1828067 1811598 16101 368 139937 139937 EXHIBITS 589440 589440 IMAX FILMS 490170 490170 PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES 336777 314852 2012 19913 MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT 131583 131583 85798 85798 10131632 8154307 1430913 546412 X 2310351 4069963 160735 89700 450583 5431059 99988 92874 0 0 0 0 0 0 260549 246993 68740 48875 44424865 23065254 23017139 21359611 228777 356666 0 0 0 0 0 0 1068253 1075430 27665115 32771171 1376443 904878 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50000 0 1426443 904878 X 24481114 22830852 1368126 3589075 389432 5446366 26238672 31866293 27665115 32771171 X 5626894 727 X false true X true false X 3898467 7407752 3411805 4675222 10819355 30212601 0 0 3898467 7407752 3411805 4675222 10819355 30212601 7134634 23077967 8540 10577 13086 11429 10010 53642 0 0 30266243 22672798 0.76250 0.83811 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1057949 X X X X false 389432 5050027 6907 5446366 381265 8167 389432 317930 55374 7961 0 0 0 381265 314550 0 3380 0 0 0 317930 314451 0 99 0 0 0 314550 1.00000 false false 782166 782166 645956 581539 64417 39240629 20149976 19090653 3756115 2333740 1422375 21359611 0 LONG TERM CONTRACTS PAYABLE 0 0 X 15896124 727 136871 137598 15758526 15758526 10268503 136871 136871 10131632 10131632 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 of value for exhibition and education for students and visitors, 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. We will use these to develop engaging exhibits, educational programs and resources that will provide our visitors opportunities to experience authentic cultural materials, artifacts and specimens representative of the earth's history and its variety of life. Schedule D, Part V, Question 4 The overall financial objectives of the Endowment are to support the current and future operations of the Museum and to preserve and enhance the purchasing power of the Endowment. The investment objectives are to be achieved through a three-tiered investment strategy. Tiers I & II incorporate endowment growth through reinvested earnings with no principal spending. The endowment is currently in its Tier II phase. In 2013 all earnings were reinvested; no principal or earnings were expended. In late 2013, the Museum received a pledge for an operating endowment for $5M to be received in February 2014. 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 $136,871 is due to fundraising expenses. Schedule D, Part XII, Question 2d The $136,871 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 have any uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2013. 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, 2010. GA Lost Oasis 193485 133855 59630 0 0 1589 13339 5200 13192 Timeless 502119 425828 76291 0 0 34319 38671 5400 25161 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 695604 559683 135921 0 0 35908 52010 10600 38353 136871 -950 true Reduced Admission 14689 91927 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 false true false false false false false false false Susan Neugent President & CEO 212000 821 212821 Aneli Nugteren Exec VP & COO 141085 14133 155218 Catherine Nowell Sr. VP & CFO 140508 11120 151628 Schedule J, Part I, Question 4b Susan Neugent has set up for her benefit a 457(b) plan to which she makes contributions but there is no current 457(f) to which the Museum is making contributions on her behalf. X 10 286873 Broker confirmation X computer hardware & software 1 13025 FMV false true true Schedule M, Part I, Question 32b SunTrust Securities receives any 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 2 Two trustees are serving as co-directors in an investment company. 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. The review was conducted by the Finance Committee. 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 and return 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. The minutes of the Executive Committee reflect the process observed in determining the compensation arrangement under signed contract through December 31, 2017. 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, and finance committee charter 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 and current Form 990 are available on-line through the Museum's web site. Form 990, Part III, Question 4a Exhibitions and Films: In 2013, Fernbank Museum presented two special exhibitions, Extreme Mammals and Marco Polo: Man or Myth. Additionally, the Museum hosted nearly a dozen films in its IMAX Theatre, including the new films Titans of the Ice Age, Flight of the Butterflies, Hidden Universe and Penguins. In 2013, Fernbank presented the fourth annual Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World, a festive holiday exhibition which serves as a unique presentation of cross-cultural symbolism bolstered by vibrant enrichment programs on the weekends. Through these interactive exhibits and thought-provoking films, Fernbank introduces visitors to cultures around the globe and highlights important environmental issues facing the world today to encourage a deeper understanding of our planet and the human discourse. Form 990, Part III, Question 4b Educational Programs: The Museum is committed to offering the highest quality educational programming designed to complement the visitor's experience at the Museum as well as in-school learning. Programs are designed for a variety of audiences including families, children and school children. In 2013, Fernbank Museum offered more than 500 exploratory science classes and delivered enhanced, on-site laboratory and classroom programs to roughly 15,000 of the 60,000 students who visited as part of a field trip. All Museum programs, exhibitions and films are designed to meet or exceed state and national standards, enhancing the curriculum and partnering with teachers to bring science to life through hands-on experiences. Additionally, the Museum presented two signature environmental programs, UrbanWatch Atlanta and City Scientists, serving schools with a focus on students from underserved populations. Fernbank's UrbanWatch program connects middle and high school students with nature and biodiversity through an immersive ecology experience in Fernbank Forest and across the Museum campus. The program focuses on the importance of native plant species, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems providing Title 1 students the opportunity to actively participate in a restoration project on the Museum campus. City Scientists, an after-school program, serves 300 3rd, 4th and 5th graders attending Atlanta's Title I schools. This highly interactive program introduces underserved students to regional ecology, geology and natural history themes, providing them with meaningful challenges in education and the enhanced foundation to perform well in science. For families and children, the Museum offers Excellent Experiments, Weekend Wonders, Live Animal Encounters, Family Exploration Days, Nature Walks and more. These programs provide visitors with new experiences every time they visit, allowing them to delve deeper into themes presented throughout the Museum at age-appropriate levels. Form 990, Part III, Question 4c Strategic Initiatives: Fernbank's strategic plan calls for the Museum to fulfill on its unique environmental legacy in its preservation and stewardship of Fernbank Forest, as well as how to leverage the entire campus in Fernbank's mission to foster a deeper connection to the natural world. In 2013, the Museum began work to bring the plans identified through its Campus and Forest Stewardship Plans to fruition with necessary preparations for future design and implementation phases. Initial fundraising efforts began to support the restoration of Fernbank Forest and to introduce new guest experiences elsewhere on the campus. These plans will inform longer term initiatives at the Museum.