Botanical Garden is one of Ward 25’s true gems
[attach]6686[/attach]The Toronto Botanical Garden is Ward 25’s horticultural gem. The city’s only botanical garden, the it stretches over two hectares and offers hundreds of courses, seminars, camps, lectures and workshops throughout the year — bringing the city into the heart Ward 25.
Over the past few years, the scope of the garden’s operations has expanded dramatically. A new LEED Silver-certified building opened in 2005, and programming has grown year after year.
However, its revenues haven’t matched the pace of its operational growth, and budget pressures have increased significantly over the past two years.
A registered educational charity, the bulk of the garden’s revenues flow from donations, membership fees, sponsorships and event rentals. In addition to roughly $200,000 in material supports, the city provides an annual $25,000 grant — an amount that has gone unchanged over the last 35 years.
In late 2012, the garden’s approached my office in search of a solution. Working alongside its staff and the city’s Budget Committee, we were able to secure a one-time $75,000 grant to relieve the more immediate financial pressure.
Going forward, the garden will be working with financial experts in the city’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation division on a sustainable operating plan, due in Summer 2013. New revenue generating opportunities will be part of the plan, from an expanded café to advanced parking meters that will allow visitors to make on-the-spot donations.
You can help put the Toronto Botanical Garden on sounder financial footing by making a donation [url=http://torontobotanicalgarden.ca/join/make-a-gift]here[/url]. Please consider making a donation — every little bit helps.
