The City Blossoms 2024-2028 Strategic Plan has four strategic goals that build upon our previous plan to meet our vision for the next five years. Staff will build and implement annual and quarterly plans informed by the goals, objectives, and outputs outlined in the strategic plan. In this next phase of growth, City Blossoms will strengthen successful program practices, hone our impact assessment and storytelling, continue to grow our brand, and deepen investment in our long-term organizational sustainability.

Created in consultation with Patrick Corrigan

Graphic design by Ali Kurnaz, www.alikurnaz.com

Safe, Inclusive, Outdoor Programming:

City Blossoms’ Community Green Spaces play an important role in our communities by providing access to nature, opportunities for safe community gatherings, and holistic programming. In 2023, we neared completion of our fifth Community Green Space, The Farm at Fort Stanton’s Youth Garden. This site is being developed in partnership with Dreaming Out Loud and will launch in Spring 2024. Stay tuned!

• 1,418 youth and adults accessed programming at our Community Green Spaces.

• 327.5 hours of free and affordable direct programming at five Community Green Spaces.

• 174 events, including weekly programs, volunteer days, cooking demonstrations and community celebrations at five Community Green Spaces.

• Over 25,000 lbs of free produce distributed to local families at City Blossoms gardens, in partnership with Capital Area Food Bank and Zion Baptist Church.

Youth Engagement:

We continued offering our Youth Entrepreneurship Cooperative program for all DC teens, with an emphasis on our partnerships with Eastern High School and Cardozo Education Campus. Programming included garden market pop-ups and participating in DC’s Summer Youth Employment Program.

• 98 youth participants, representing six high schools across the District.

• 422 hours of direct programming were provided, including virtual service opportunities for all DC teens.

• 288 pounds of produce was redistributed back into the community by the Mighty Greens youth-led garden business, through their market days, donations, and recipes made by the youth.

• $6,638 in revenue made by the Mighty Greens youth-led garden business through produce and value-added products sold through CSAs and at markets.

Teacher & Student Engagement:

We supported our School Garden Partners and Early Growers partners with garden workdays, classroom workshops, and coaching sessions for educators.

• 445 educators engaged in interactive garden-based workshops and trainings.

• 17 early childhood centers in Wards 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 participated in garden excursions through our Early Growers program.

• 2,621 children attending Title 1 elementary and middle schools have access to a garden program through our School Garden Partners program.

Leadership & Organizational Highlights:

• 38 garden workdays were powered by over 450 unique volunteers across all of City Blossoms’ green spaces and partner sites.

• ⁣Three fellows joined our team this year through our fellowship program, which is designed to support the professional development of emerging leaders interested in community and youth engagement.

• 1 Regional Garden-based Learning Summit hosted! The Summit gathered 54 garden-based learning professionals representing 34 community-based organizations in DC, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It provided an opportunity for organizations to deepen community and connections, share resources and best practices, and be inspired by all of the incredible work happening in our region, with the ultimate goal of carrying this all back to their communities to enhance garden-based learning opportunities for children and youth.

Assets

Cash: $508,462
Accounts Receivable: $33,153
Grants Receivable: $222,500
Other Assets: $132,664
Total Assets: $905,014

Liability & Net Assets

Current Liabilities
Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses: $544
Deferred Revenue: $600
Noncurrent Liabilities: $80,189
Total Liabilities: $131,905

Net Assets

Restricted: $153,690
Unrestricted: $619,419
Total Net Assets: $773,109
Total Liabilities and Equity: $905,014

Revenue & Support

Government: $238,344
Foundation: $259,536
Earned Income: $87,214
Individual & Business: $212,797
In-kind $11,564
Pandemic Support $133,939 Total Revenue and Support: $809,455

Expenses

Current Liabilities
Program Services: $650,398
Support Services: $197,455
Total Expenses: $847,853
Change in Net Assets: $-33,510

Expenses by Department

Aceso Foundation

Alvéole Inc.

Apple

Benjamin Fund Inc.

Bety N. Giles Charitable Foundation

Caledonia Spirits' Barr Hill

Capitol Hill Community Foundation

Cedar Tree Foundation

Chesapeake Bay Trust

Clif Family Foundation

DC Department of Energy and Environment

DC Parks and Recreation

Fieldstone Foundation

Game Genius

Harmony Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Howard and Leslie Stein Family Foundation

Ina Kay Foundation

Jefferson Ridge Farm

John Edward Fowler Memorial Award

King and Spalding LLP

The Asia Group Foundation

Maria Otero & Joseph Eldridge

Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs

National Wildlife Federation

Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes

Office of the State Superintendent of Education Division of Early Learning

Office of the State Superintendent of Education Division of Health and Wellness

Otero Strategy Group

OXO

Patagonia

PEPCO

Pure Farmland

Rad Royals

REWILD

Robert Jensen Dau Foundation

Rock Creek Conservancy

Share Fund

The Environmental Protection Agency

The John G. & Jean R. Gosnell Foundation

The Kresge Foundation

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation

The Nora Roberts Foundation

The Otto Whalley Family Foundation

The Rotary Foundation

United States Botanic Garden

United States Department of Agriculture

Whole Foods Market