Powell Gardens, Inc.
Powell Gardens is a nonprofit botanical garden in Kingsville, Missouri, operating 970 acres (175 open to the public) and serving 100,000+ annual visitors through admissions, memberships, festivals, private events, educational programs, and corporate sponsorships. The 1988-founded organization also runs the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersKingsville, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Powell Gardens, Inc. does
Powell Gardens, Inc. is a nonprofit public botanical garden established in 1988 in Kingsville, Missouri, operating as Kansas City's designated botanical garden. The organization maintains 970 acres of land, of which 175 acres are open to the public, featuring themed display gardens (including the Heartland Harvest Garden, Children's Garden, David T. Beals III Woodland & Stream Garden, and Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden) and a documented living collection of more than 21,000 plants. The property includes architecturally significant structures by E. Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings, and the organization is open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday, serving 100,000+ visitors annually.
The business model is diversified across eight distinct revenue streams: tiered general and festival admission (priced $9–$22 with festival premiums and free parking for members), a nine-level subscription membership program with reciprocal access to 400+ partner gardens, private event venue rentals (weddings, corporate events, photography), group tour packages for 14+ visitors, corporate sponsorships (including a presenting-sponsor relationship with FNBO for the Festival of Butterflies), donations and planned giving, educational programming (adult classes, K-6 youth field trips, summer camps), and a Marketplace gift shop. Ticketing and donations are processed through Blackbaud, and an interactive web tool called Garden Explorer supports digital engagement with the plant collection. Customers span individual visitors and families, K-12 school districts, corporate groups, wedding and event clients, and institutional members/donors.
In 2024, Powell Gardens launched the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture (MCRA), an 800-acre program operating in partnership with Good Oak, Lincoln University, USDA NRCS, the National Audubon Society, and the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. MCRA extends operations into regenerative agriculture, conservation grazing on 276 Audubon-certified acres, agroforestry, and natural beekeeping, with a Farmer Fastrack residency program. The organization is supported by a 52-person staff and a network of named corporate sponsors and philanthropic funders, and trades publicly only through its nonprofit mission rather than equity capital markets.
Powell Gardens, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Powell Gardens, Inc.
- Legal name
- Powell Gardens
- Website
- https://powellgardens.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Powell Gardens is a nonprofit botanical garden in Kingsville, Missouri, operating 970 acres (175 open to the public) and serving 100,000+ annual visitors through admissions, memberships, festivals, private events, educational programs, and corporate sponsorships. The 1988-founded organization also runs the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Powell Gardens, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Botanical Garden
- NAICS
- Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240), Floriculture Production (111422)
- SIC
- Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL), Native, Pollinator & Drought-Tolerant Garden Installations (HSAIAFAL), Garden Bed Installation & Planting (Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs) (HSAIAFAB), Seasonal Color, Planting & Horticultural Services (BPABADAL), Plants, Seeds & Nursery Retail (Garden Centers) (CRAIAIAB)
Keywords
Where Powell Gardens, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kingsville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Powell Gardens, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- General Admission: Ticket sales for garden entry with pricing varying by season, day of week, and festival periods
- Memberships: Nine membership levels providing free unlimited general and festival admission, reciprocal benefits at 400+ gardens, and various discounts
- Private Events: Wedding and reception venue rentals, corporate events, and photography sessions at various garden venues including the Marjorie Powell Allen Chapel
- Group Tours: Guided tour packages including food and drink, short educational programs, and seasonal highlight garden tours for groups of 14+
- Donations & Planned Giving: Tax-deductible contributions supporting garden care, conservation, education programs, and capital improvements
- Corporate Sponsorships: Business partnerships offering naming, advertising, marketing, and customizable recognition benefits
- Educational Programs: Adult classes, youth programs, summer camps, and workshops covering horticulture, gardening, and nature topics
- The Marketplace Gift Shop: On-site retail store offering plants, garden accessories, and nature-themed gifts
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Festival of Butterflies Admission (July 16-August 2, 2026) |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | General Admission (August 4-November 1, 2026) |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Festival of Lights Admission |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group Admission Rates |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Group Tour Packages |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Program Fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Youth Field Trip Fees |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Powell Gardens, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Powell Gardens is a nonprofit botanical garden in Kingsville, Missouri, offering year-round public admission to nearly 970 acres of themed gardens, educational programs for all ages, multi-tier memberships, private event rentals, and seasonal festivals. The organization operates as Kansas City's only botanical garden, providing nature-based recreation, horticultural learning, and conservation programming alongside a working regenerative agriculture site.
Product overview
Powell Gardens operates as Kansas City's botanical garden, a nonprofit public garden established in 1988 with 970 acres total and 175 acres open to the public. The core offering is general admission access to themed display gardens including the Children's Garden, David T. Beals III Woodland & Stream Garden, Fountain Garden, Heartland Harvest Garden, Marlese Lowe Gourley Island Garden, Perennial Garden, and Meadow Pavilion. Supporting products include Garden Explorer (interactive digital exploration tool), membership programs (9 levels with reciprocal benefits), and educational programming (adult classes, youth field trips, summer programs). Additional revenue streams include private event rentals, corporate sponsorships, group tour packages, and seasonal festivals (Festival of Butterflies, Festival of Lights). The Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture extends operations into sustainable farming education and conservation. Colonial Farms operates as a related entity offering agricultural experiences in Blue Springs, MO.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture (MCRA): An innovative program focusing on advancing sustainable farming practices and ecological stewardship through regenerative agriculture.
- Colonial Farms
Products and services
- Botanical Garden Admission Daily public admission providing access to themed gardens including the Island Garden, Perennial Garden, Heartland Harvest Garden, and architectural features on nearly 970 acres in Kingsville, Missouri. Target audience is general visitors and families in the Kansas City region.
- Garden Explorer Interactive digital tool that allows visitors to explore the gardens, plant collections, and Points of Interest across the property. Target audience is on-site and prospective visitors seeking curated garden tours.
- Membership Programs Nine-tier annual membership program that includes unlimited garden admission, discounts on classes and gift shop purchases, free or discounted guest passes, and reciprocal admission to nearly 400 participating gardens across North America through the AHS reciprocal garden program. Target audience is local residents and frequent garden visitors.
- Private Event Rentals Rental of indoor and outdoor venue spaces for weddings, receptions, corporate retreats, private parties, and special occasions. Target audience is engaged couples, corporate event planners, and private celebration hosts.
- Group Tours and Tickets Discounted group admission and guided tour options for organized groups of 15 or more visitors. Target audience is tour operators, clubs, senior groups, and organized community groups.
- Adult Education Programs Adult-oriented classes and workshops covering horticulture, floral design, wellness, gardening techniques, and landscape design. Target audience is adult learners and hobbyists in the Kansas City region.
- Youth and School Programs School field trips, homeschool programming, and youth workshops designed to engage K-12 students with horticulture, nature, and science learning. Target audience is K-12 schools, teachers, and homeschool families.
- Summer Programs Seasonal summer camp and youth programming offered during school break. Target audience is families and school-age children in the Kansas City region.
- Festival of Butterflies Annual summer ticketed festival celebrating butterflies with interactive experiences, educational programming, and themed family activities. Target audience is families and individual visitors across the Kansas City region.
- Festival of Lights Annual winter holiday light festival with themed light displays and seasonal programming. Target audience is families, couples, and holiday visitors in the Kansas City region.
- Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture A working farm and demonstration site using regenerative agriculture practices including cover crops, no-till production, and rotational grazing to educate the public, growers, and community about sustainable food production. Target audience is growers, farmers, educators, and the general public.
- Corporate Sponsorships Year-round corporate sponsorship and partnership program offering local and regional businesses visibility, event support, and on-site recognition through the gardens' programming and events. Target audience is Kansas City area businesses seeking community engagement and brand visibility.
Quantifiable outcome
- 21,000+ plant specimens maintained and documented in living collection
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Powell Gardens, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Powell Gardens, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Powell Gardens, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, minor and major.
- Good OakcoreGood Oak manages landscapes through ecological restoration, regenerative farming, and long-term stewardship. They work with Powell Gardens to manage spaces for reconstruction and restoration, manage the Flagship Farm, and provide educational opportunities. Good Oak strategically places 50-100 beehives for natural beekeeping and manages conservation grazing with heritage cattle and sheep.
- Lincoln UniversitycoreLincoln University of Missouri, a historically Black 1890 land-grant institution, works with the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens to provide research opportunities alongside extension programming.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS)flagshipUSDA NRCS delivers conservation solutions for agricultural producers. Generous grant contributions from USDA NRCS make the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture a regional model for working with natural cycles of the Midwest ecosystem.
- National Audubon Society Conservation Ranching InitiativeflagshipThe National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need. Their grant contributions enable 276 acres at Powell Gardens to be certified by the Conservation Ranching Initiative as bird-friendly habitat supporting grassland birds.
- CharterUPminorTransportation partner offering reliable bus rentals in Kansas City and to Powell Gardens from anywhere in the nation for group visits.
- Kansas City Charter Bus CompanyminorTransportation partner providing bus transportation to Powell Gardens for convenient group event transportation.
- American Horticultural SocietycorePowell Gardens participates in the American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP), enabling all members to enjoy select benefits at more than 330 botanical gardens around the country.
- FNBOflagshipPresenting sponsor for the Festival of Butterflies event. FNBO provides generous support enabling the annual butterfly festival.
- EvergymajorCorporate sponsor for events and programming at Powell Gardens.
- HawkinsmajorCorporate sponsor for Powell Gardens events and programming.
- In Kansas CityminorLocal media and lifestyle partner sponsoring Powell Gardens programming.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Powell Gardens, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park: Midwest nonprofit garden combining horticulture with sculpture, special exhibitions, and event rentals. Comparable in mission, audience, and event-driven revenue mix, though larger in scale.
- Chicago Botanic Garden: Significantly larger Midwest nonprofit botanical garden with comparable education, horticulture, and event-rental programming. Functions as a peer institution in the broader U.S. botanical garden ecosystem and benchmark for scale of operations.
- Longwood Gardens: Premier large-scale U.S. public garden operating festivals, education, and signature architecture on a substantially bigger budget. Comparable to Powell Gardens in mission and revenue model but at a far larger scale and visitation level.
Regional players
- Loose Park / KC Parks & Recreation: Kansas City municipal park system — adjacent regional outdoor recreation offering free or low-cost alternatives that compete with Powell Gardens' paid general-admission experience.
- Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium: Adjacent Kansas City attraction drawing on the same regional visitor base and competing for family discretionary entertainment spend. Comparable in scale (membership program, event rentals, education) and a natural substitute destination.
- Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens: Nearby Kansas City metro botanical garden serving overlapping regional visitors. Direct competitor for school field trips, memberships, and family day-trip visits in the KC metro area.
Emerging players
- Colonial Farms (Powell Gardens subsidiary): U-Pick and farm retail subsidiary of Powell Gardens in Blue Springs, MO. The agricultural extension of the parent organization's regenerative agriculture mission.
- University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture: Adjacent research and education institution focused on regenerative agriculture in Missouri. Closely comparable mission space to the Midwest Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Powell Gardens.
Direct peers
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Missouri-based nonprofit botanical garden operating the Shaw Nature Reserve. Same regional footprint, similar nonprofit operating model, comparable plant collections and educational programming — the closest direct peer to Powell Gardens.
- Myriad Botanical Gardens (Oklahoma City): Mid-sized nonprofit botanical garden offering festivals, education, private events, and memberships. Closely comparable in scale and revenue mix to Powell Gardens' operational model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Powell Gardens, Inc. social profiles
Digital presencePowell Gardens, Inc. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Powell Gardens, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Powell Gardens, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Powell Gardens, Inc. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Powell Gardens, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Powell Gardens, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Powell Gardens, Inc.
What does Powell Gardens, Inc. do?
Powell Gardens is a nonprofit botanical garden in Kingsville, Missouri, offering year-round public admission to nearly 970 acres of themed gardens, educational programs for all ages, multi-tier memberships, private event rentals, and seasonal festivals. The organization operates as Kansas City's only botanical garden, providing nature-based recreation, horticultural learning, and conservation programming alongside a working regenerative agriculture site.
Is Powell Gardens, Inc. a public or private company?
Powell Gardens, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Powell Gardens, Inc. founded?
Powell Gardens, Inc. was founded in 1988. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Powell Gardens, Inc. based?
Powell Gardens, Inc. is headquartered in Kingsville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Powell Gardens, Inc. make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. General Admission is the primary driver. The others are memberships, private Events, group Tours, donations & Planned Giving, corporate Sponsorships, educational Programs and the Marketplace Gift Shop.
Who are Powell Gardens, Inc.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Chicago Botanic Garden and Longwood Gardens. Regional players are Loose Park / KC Parks & Recreation, Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium and Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. Emerging players are Colonial Farms (Powell Gardens subsidiary) and University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture. Direct peers are Missouri Botanical Garden and Myriad Botanical Gardens (Oklahoma City).
Does Powell Gardens, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Powell Gardens, Inc..
What industry is Powell Gardens, Inc. in?
Powell Gardens, Inc.'s product category is Botanical Garden. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJACAH, Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions, with a secondary code of THAJADAL, Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections). Its NAICS code is 712130 and its SIC code is 5200.