Logo for InfluenceWatch InfluenceWatch

Donate
Non-profit

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Foundation

Website:

www.meijergardens.org/
Location:

Grand Rapids, MI
Tax ID:

38-3118579
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2022):

Revenue: $15,873,533
Expenses: $7,457,530
Assets: $158,557,734
Type:

Environmental activist group
Formation:

1995
President/CEO:

Charles Burke

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds the  Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1

As of 2025, the group was operating with nearly 200 full and part-time staff members, supported by over 850 active volunteers. The group was also backed by gifts from more than 29,000 household members and donors. 1

History

The nonprofit was founded in 1995 by American philanthropists and business leaders Fred and Lena Meijer, former co-chairs of the Meijer retail-store chain, with funding from the West Michigan Horticultural Society Inc. 2

Leadership

Charles Burke is the President and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, a position he has held since February 2023. He has served as president and CEO of the War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms and was the senior director of education at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. 3

Heather Zak is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. She previously served as CFO at Hope Network and held senior positions at Corewell Health and Van Andel Institute. 4

Funding

Between 2019 and 2022, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Foundation received grants from the West Michigan Horticultural Society Inc., ranging from $5,769,144 to $11,000,000. 5 6 7 8

Financials

The organization has been tax-exempt since January 1994. In 2023, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Foundation reported total revenues of $6,990,934, total expenditures of $7,312,025, net assets of $177,615,031, and $3,425,771 in contributions. 9

In its tax returns from 2022, the group reported total revenue of $15,873,533, with total assets of $158,557,734, total expenses of $7,457,530, and $14,329,272 in contributions. 10

References

  1. Meijer Gardens: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, “Welcome to Meijer Gardens,” February 17, 2025, https://www.meijergardens.org/.
  2. Meijer Gardens | Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, “History,” February 12, 2025, https://www.meijergardens.org/about/#history.
  3. Linkedin, “Charles Burke – President and CEO – Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park” accessed February 21, 2025, https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-burke-23981a10/
  4. LinkedIn, “Heather Zak,” accessed February 21, 2025, https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherzak1/.
  5. Andrea Suozzo et al., “West Michigan Horticultural Society Inc, Form 990, Schedule I – Nonprofit Explorer,” ProPublica, May 9, 2013, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/382394044/202110689349301016/IRS990ScheduleI.
  6. Andrea Suozzo et al., “West Michigan Horticultural Society Inc, Form 990, Schedule I – Nonprofit Explorer,” ProPublica, May 9, 2013, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/382394044/202232019349300428/IRS990ScheduleI.
  7. Andrea Suozzo et al., “West Michigan Horticultural Society Inc, Form 990, Schedule I – Nonprofit Explorer,” ProPublica, May 9, 2013, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/382394044/202301119349300900/IRS990ScheduleI.
  8. Andrea Suozzo et al., “West Michigan Horticultural Society Inc, Form 990, Schedule I – Nonprofit Explorer,” ProPublica, May 9, 2013, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/382394044/202410999349300911/IRS990ScheduleI.
  9. Andrea Suozzo et al., “Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer,” ProPublica, May 9, 2013, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/383118579/202432999349300918/full.
  10. Andrea Suozzo et al., “Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Foundation, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer,” ProPublica, May 9, 2013, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/383118579/202313069349300126/full.
  See an error? Let us know!

Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: January 1, 1994

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2022 Dec Form 990 $15,873,533 $7,457,530 $158,557,734 $909,445 N $14,329,272 $0 $144,417 $0
    2021 Dec Form 990 $16,971,285 $6,065,500 $177,864,524 $1,052,031 Y $775,165 $0 $7,773,407 $0 PDF
    2020 Dec Form 990 $13,759,706 $5,637,320 $157,742,330 $1,183,757 N $2,866,147 $0 $3,933,006 $0 PDF
    2019 Dec Form 990 $9,790,641 $5,623,528 $141,789,460 $1,320,427 N $4,899,954 $0 $3,469,473 $0 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $12,015,535 $5,266,447 $120,251,893 $1,460,678 N $1,118,764 $0 $3,600,375 $0 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $18,385,284 $4,455,748 $129,875,461 $1,585,556 N $14,253,308 $0 $2,767,860 $0
    2016 Dec Form 990 $3,055,339 $4,507,727 $102,632,112 $1,729,768 Y $1,144,300 $0 $2,038,575 $0 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $4,159,207 $4,449,990 $99,056,445 $1,867,584 Y $1,732,429 $0 $2,804,729 $0 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $9,078,970 $4,311,380 $103,828,273 $2,004,818 Y $5,068,741 $0 $2,739,141 $0 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $7,280,117 $4,140,134 $98,686,048 $0 Y $332,945 $0 $2,049,870 $0 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $1,342,685 $3,930,334 $88,646,103 $0 Y $130,313 $0 $1,039,383 $0 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $52,154,791 $1,658,419 $77,327,482 $0 N $49,838,366 $0 $2,188,970 $0 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Foundation

    2929 WALKER AVE NW
    Grand Rapids, MI 49544-6402