Land Acknowledgement
Filoli sits on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Lamchin, an independent tribe of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples, the original inhabitants and stewards of the San Francisco Peninsula. The impacts of colonization are ongoing and adversely affect the Indigenous peoples of the Bay Area. As we use the land to gather, live, learn, and work, we are beneficiaries of those past injustices. Filoli is a sanctuary for healing and a place to build connections for all people. We commit to partnering with the Ramaytush peoples to share Indigenous stories and collaborate on land stewardship.
Dear Friends,
First and foremost, thank you. Whether you visit Filoli to find inspiration, join us year-round as a member, or support our work through philanthropy, you are part of what makes this place so special. Filoli’s mission—to connect our rich history with a vibrant future through beauty, nature, and shared stories—comes to life because of you.
We want to bring you closer and show you the incredible impact of your generosity. This year’s Annual Report is one way we’re sharing that story, highlighting the many
ways your support sustains Filoli and ensures its future.
As you explore this report, you’ll see how philanthropy has helped restore the grandeur of Filoli’s Ballroom, expand access to our Natural Lands and trails, and ensure a sustainable Garden. You’ll also find highlights from the past year, a look at Filoli by the numbers, and a glimpse of the exciting work ahead.
Looking to the future, we’re thinking boldly about how to elevate Filoli’s world-class House and Garden. By activating more spaces and expanding access, we’re ensuring that more people can experience this one-of-a-kind place of respite.
With gratitude,
Kara Newport
President & CEO, Filoli
Photo by Mike James
2024–2028 Strategic Plan
Our Commitment
Filoli’s five-year strategic plan amplifies our fundamental cultural commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and ensures that diverse communities experience a deep connection to the beauty of this historic place.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are expanding our reach, creating more inclusive experiences, and preserving Filoli as a welcoming space where everyone can gather, learn, and find inspiration for generations to come. Your commitment has enabled us to successfully complete the first year of our strategic plan, with many achievements highlighted in this report.
Photo by Olivia Marshall
Core Pillars
Strengthen our connections by growing the number of people who feel welcomed, valued, and inspired by Filoli and by deepening the quality of our relationships with our community.
Welcomed 17% more guests than in 2023, marking a significant milestone in our continued growth and success.
Curate and expand unique experiences, stories, and programs for and with our guests.
Increased the number of public and ticketed event offerings by 134% in 2024, offering hundreds of new ways for guests to experience Filoli.
Steward our natural and built environment through sustainable practices, strategic site development, and land conservation.
Revitalized the Balustrade Garden, honoring its original design with a thoughtfully curated, sustainable plant palette that thrives with minimal water. At the same time, the historic Ballroom was meticulously restored to its original 1926 grandeur.
Establish Filoli as a national workplace of choice and a people-centered culture of integrity and equity.
Created the Uniquely Filoli customer service program to ensure staff are able to deliver consistent welcoming experiences.
Embrace our industry leadership role and shape best practices through ongoing innovation and advocacy.
Co-curated the Lamchin Interpretive Center with our Indigenous partners at the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone. The Center shares the story of the Lamchin tribe–the first people of this land–and connects us to the current work of the Ramaytush Ohlone at the intersection of ecology and equity.
2024 Highlights
January
Began repainting all 99 of the exterior doors and windows of the Filoli House, as well as the iron railings.
February
Launched a new Ballroom Concert Series.
March
Invited the public off the beaten path on new 90-minute Discovering Filoli daily tours.
April
Planted a colorful new dahlia display in the Production Garden.
May
Honored Asian-American and Pacific Islander month with a bonsai exhibit, haiku poem contest, and curated items in Clock Tower Shop.
2024 Haiku Contest First Place Winner
spring gardens invite
nature’s eager arrivals
your room is ready
—Mary Ingle-Steinberg
June
Activated the Natural Lands by opening the Spring Creek Trail to the public and introducing the Tack Room display, honoring Filoli’s equestrian history.
July
Partnered with our community members at La Cocina and Pasifika Planting Group to plant Partner Plots in the Vegetable Garden.
August
Presented the Summer Stage Concert Series sponsored by U.S. Bank.
September
Hosted the annual Harvest Gala and raised $254,000 from our generous donors to support Youth Programs in Nature.
October
Hosted Nightfall, with expanded spooky and family-friendly experiences in the House and Meadow.
November
Discovered a pair of gilded torchieres, some of Filoli’s long-lost treasures, and returned them to their place of honor in the Reception Room.
December
Celebrated the magical season with Holidays at Filoli.
Photos by Robb Most & Olivia Marshall
The Ballroom's Return to Brilliance
“You have caught the most wonderful part of that wonderful bit of the world, the sky.”
—Agnes, in a 1925 letter to Ernest Peixotto, admiring the freshly completed Muckross canvases
Photo by Jeff Bartee
A Walk Through Time on Filoli’s Natural Lands
“Thanks for opening up the beautiful trail. It is a treasure... It has forest, water, sunshine, shade, birds, winds, and some friendly hikers, just a wonderful combination. You feel the spirit of land and nature.”
– A visitor to the Spring Creek Trail
Photo by Mike James
Filoli By The Numbers
Total Attendance
Garden By The Numbers
Photo by Robb Most
Member Households
Filoli members are the heart of our mission, playing a crucial role in preserving the historic House and Garden while ensuring the Natural Lands remain open for all to explore. Member support safeguards the past, enriches the present, and secures the future of this cherished landscape.
Renovating the Balustrade Garden for Preservation and Sustainability
“The renovation of the Balustrade brings this border back to what William and Agnes had in mind from the get-go. Surrounding the House with an exotic palette of Mediterranean and other complimentary plants brings excitement to the landscape through textures and varying colors, but in a way that is in keeping with the Georgian design. All this was done choosing drought-tolerant plants more resilient to a changing climate.”
– Jim Salyards, Associate Director of Horticulture Initiatives
Access and Community
Partner Plots
Filoli’s Vegetable Garden is a space where the community comes together to share stories, connect through food, and celebrate diverse Bay Area food traditions.
Filoli’s Partner Plots program invites local community groups to utilize the Garden as a gathering space and a shared resource to cultivate culturally significant foods.
In 2024, Filoli partnered with La Cocina, an innovative social enterprise running an incubator for food businesses, and Pasifika Planting Group, a collective of Pacific Islanders living in the Bay Area.
Our partnership with these community members brings new perspectives and stories to the Vegetable Garden.
“I just planted a taro plant here, and I feel very connected to my family and the land back in Palau.”
—Palauan member Windsor Taro
Public Programs
In 2024, Filoli launched an inspiring new program of guided hikes and tours—inviting the community to connect more deeply with our mission through immersive experiences that explore art, nature, and history.
Service Learning
Filoli’s Service Learning program provides a free learning experience on a variety of topics, such as horticulture and garden tips and tricks, combined with an opportunity to volunteer to support Filoli.
Youth Programs in Nature
Filoli partners with under-resourced schools and community groups to meet the growing need for accessible nature education in the Bay Area. In 2024, 1,700 preschoolers and teens came to Filoli for three immersive visits across fall, winter, and spring to connect with nature and claim their place of belonging in the outdoors. Participants are also given family memberships so they can share Filoli with their families any time. Filoli’s free and deeply engaging field trips are in high demand, and donor support helps us to nurture ongoing partnerships while expanding to reach new audiences.
Youth Program Participants
Do you wish you could be at Filoli right now? Our new Morning in the Garden podcast takes listeners on an immersive audio journey through Filoli’s storied landscape. Hear from our expert horticulturists as they share their passions and offer insider tips.
Filoli's Next Chapter
The land that Filoli sits on has a rich and layered history. It was first home to the Ramaytush Ohlone people, then shaped by Spanish rule, early California settlers, and later by the Bourn and Roth families before becoming part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Today, as the current caretakers of this special place, we are excited to be thinking boldly about Filoli’s future.
The need to care for Filoli’s historic House and Garden has never been greater. At the same time, our native landscapes face growing environmental challenges.
If you’ve recently walked Filoli’s beautiful new hiking trails, you may have noticed signs displaying a bold vision for the future. Inspired and guided by the Comprehensive Site Plan, designed by the renowned Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects and Architectural Resources Group, our goal is to honor the past while making Filoli more sustainable and welcoming for future generations.
This means preserving the historic House and Garden, expanding access for all guests, protecting ecological resources, and introducing new trails and interpretive experiences—all while paving the way for future growth.
Thank you to donors who are already helping us to bring this vision to life!
Photo by Mike James
2024 Financials
Statement of Financial Position
Year ended December 31
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $4,611,803 | $7,252,899 |
| Board-designated cash | $5,885,329 | $3,869,830 |
| Receivables, net of discount | $284,457 | $233,314 |
| Prepaid expenses | $1,009,904 | $553,617 |
| Inventory | $577,510 | $359,468 |
| Investments | $726,942 | $538,640 |
| Board-designated investments | $7,388,034 | $8,122,880 |
| Property and equipment, net | $8,628,705 | $7,555,215 |
| Total Assets | $31,234,386 | $28,485,863 |
| Liabilities and Net Assets | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Liabilities | $3,784,153 | $3,142,416 |
| Net Assets | $27,450,233 | $25,343,447 |
| Total Liabilities and Net Assets | $31,234,386 | $28,485,863 |
Statement of Activities
Year ended December 31
| Revenue and Support | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Contributions and grants | $4,015,578 | $1,529,450 |
| Memberships | $3,298,856 | $2,706,551 |
| Programs | $12,155,347 | $9,742,070 |
| Retail gift shop sales, net | $1,790,592 | $1,482,955 |
| Income from beneficial trust managed by NTHP | $666,902 | $631,141 |
| Other income | $388,162 | $601,126 |
| Total Revenue and Support | $22,315,437 | $16,693,293 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Program services | $14,865,050 | $11,362,169 |
| Management and general | $4,181,714 | $2,532,801 |
| Fundraising | $1,833,775 | $1,743,090 |
| Total Expenses | $20,880,539 | $15,638,060 |
| Other Changes in Net Assets | $671,888 | $1,010,675 |
| Change in Net Assets | $2,106,786 | $2,065,908 |
Donors & Sponsors
Filoli’s community of supporters keeps Filoli open and accessible for guests to find beauty and inspiration in every season. We appreciate every gift of support, from donations to our Annual Fund to our generous Filoli Circle members.