Friends of the Conservatory
The mission of the organization is to promote the common good of the general public through its promotional and financial support of franklin park conservatory.
Friends of the Conservatory at a glance
In short: Friends of the Conservatory gave $3.6M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $3.6M), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,600,000
- +182.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,600,000
- +182.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,600,000
- Total assets
- $11,322,183
- +4.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Friends of the Conservatory funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Franklin Park Conservatory Joint Recreation District ($3.6M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 4 grants of 5 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Friends of the Conservatory gives
- Giving fell 33% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2023) to $5.3M (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $3.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin Park Conservatory Joint Recreation District Columbus, OH | Opers/Capital Proj | $3,600,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,322,183 | $4,894,914 | $3,607,059 | $3,600,000 | 1 | $168,878 |
| 2023 | $10,861,999 | $2,403,854 | $1,319,420 | $1,275,000 | 1 | $164,219 |
| 2022 | $9,888,660 | $5,624,155 | $1,532,015 | $1,480,000 | 1 | $13,675 |
| 2021 | $5,891,502 | $1,655,692 | $5,389,940 | $5,337,195 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | $10,842,303 | $830,412 | $1,406,966 | $1,350,000 | 1 | — |
About Friends of the Conservatory
Based on IRS filings
Friends of the Conservatory is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Columbus, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $11.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $3.6M. Net investment income was $169K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Friends of the Conservatory is led by Sandy Nessing, President since 2024 (on filings since 2021); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sandy Nessing
President
Secretary → President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Troup
Member
Member at Large → Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Bair
Member
Member at Large → Member, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heidi Yurkiw
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Russ Hunter
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Sandra M Nessing (2023) — President
- Former: Patrick Henthorne (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Scott Kleinman (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Barbara Brandt (2021) — Member at Large
- Former: John Cardenas (2020) — Member at Large
- Former: Su Lok (2020) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Friends of the Conservatory
How much does Friends of the Conservatory give each year?
Friends of the Conservatory gave $3.6M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 1 grant.
How large is Friends of the Conservatory?
Friends of the Conservatory reported $11.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.9M.
What is Friends of the Conservatory?
Friends of the Conservatory is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Columbus, OH. It holds $11.3M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Friends of the Conservatory operate?
Friends of the Conservatory has awarded grants in Ohio.
What is Friends of the Conservatory's EIN?
Friends of the Conservatory's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1657027. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Friends of the Conservatory's focus areas in our free grants database
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