2013-013 EDC-Arts - Botanical Garden Foundation Inc for Fall 2012 Art Grant Agreement $1.345

Browse Search

5. Arts Program Application Narrative Organizational Profile The Botanical Garden Foundation, Inc. (BGF) is a non-profit organization of the North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG) administered by the University of North Carolina (UNC). BGF is NCBG's membership support organization and elects a Board and an Executive Committee.The BGF Board has existed since 1966. NCBG is a teaching, research and outreach unit of UNC Chapel Hill. NCBG Director, Peter White, reports to the Office of the Provost, which also appoints the Administrative Board for review and consultation on NCBG programs and development. NCBG's support is from two main sources that are each one-third of the total operating cost: the UNC earned income (educational programs, Garden Shop, grants and contracts) and fund-raising (memberships and unrestricted gifts, restricted gifts, endowment income). NCBG has a dedicated staff of 35 individuals. The NCBG's mission is to inspire understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants in gardens and natural areas and to advance a sustainable relationship between people and nature. NCBG seeks to reach a broad and diverse audience which is described in five categories: (1) NCBG lies within the Research Triangle Area (pop.1.5 million),the fastest growing region in NC which is known for its universities, has the highest level of education in the state and includes popular retirement communities. The three largest ethnic groups are Caucasian (69%),African American (23%), and Hispanic (12%). (2) UNC faculty, students, staff, and alumni. (3)Schoolchildren and teachers. (4)Special populations. NCBG serves special populations, including children and adults with physical and psychiatric illnesses. (5) Garden Clubs, horticulturists, and conservationists. Current Programs and Services NCBG pursues a multi-faceted and integrated mission,the central purpose of which is to provide educational opportunities that will transform lives in terms of understanding and relationship to the environment, whether measured in terms of environmental quality or the improvement in the physical and psychological well-being of individuals. NCBG is nationally known for its educational plant collections and diverse education programs for adults and children: No other public garden in the area offers the diversity of environmental education opportunities proposed by the NCBG. The NCBG offers well-developed programming for children and families, students, and teachers which includes': • Toddler/Parent classes for ages 2%—4 (Sweet Peas) • Preschool workshops for ages 4—5 (Bluets: Preschoolers Exploring Nature) • After-school programs for ages 6—7 (Blazing Stars:Afterschool Nature Club) • Homeschool courses for ages 5—13 (Young Ecoscapers, Young Botanists, Habitat Heroes) • Storytime in the Garden for ages 2—5 (Nature Tales) • Family workshops on a variety of natural science topics • Nature Explorers Summer Camp for ages 4—10 • Magic in the Garden annual special event • Programs for school age visitors (K-5th grade) aligned with the NC Standard Course of Study • Earth Partnership for Schools Teacher Institute • Healing and Hope Through Science—hospitalized children pre-K-12 at Duke and UNC hospitals In 2009, NCBG's capacity to offer such programs was greatly increased by the opening of a 40,000 square foot, LEED Platinum Certified Education Center, a four-fold expansion. However, in order to take advantage of this opportunity and to fulfill the Garden's mission, new family and children educational http://ncbp.une.edu/education/ 1