Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden
The organization is a Delaware charitable trust operated exclusively for the benefit of its supported organization, New York botanical garden, a New York not-for-profit corporation recognized as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986, sections 509(a) (1) and 170(b)(1)(a)(VI) of the code.
Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden at a glance
- Total assets
- $5,115,453
- -8.8% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $1,914
- -90.4% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $1,914
- -85.6% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $495,182
- -95.2% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 2 grants of 3 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden gives
- Giving fell 66% 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $650K (2024) to $1.9M (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $650K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York Botanical Garden Bronx, NY | Program Support | $650,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,115,453 | $1,914 | $495,182 | — | — | $1,914 |
| 2024 | $5,611,683 | $20,014 | $10,360,889 | $650,000 | 1 | $13,287 |
| 2023 | $15,967,860 | $217,557 | $8,014,261 | — | — | $35,302 |
| 2022 | $23,793,285 | $15,218 | $8,032,546 | $750,000 | 1 | $15,218 |
| 2021 | $33,395,652 | $35,315,652 | $1,920,000 | $1,920,000 | 1 | $2,780,113 |
About Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden
Based on IRS filings
Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.1M in total assets. Net investment income was $2K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
JP Morgan Trust Company Of Delaware
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$15K (2022) → $15K (2025)
John Bernstein
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Harold William Low (2021–2024) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $15K, to JP Morgan Trust Company of Delaware (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden
How large is Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden?
Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden reported $5.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2K.
What is Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden?
Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $5.1M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden operate?
Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden has awarded grants in New York.
What is Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden's EIN?
Luesther T Mertz Legacy Trust for the New York Botanical Garden's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-6339411. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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