Chicago Horticultural Society Endowment

The Finance & Investment Committee, chaired by Andrew Sinclair, oversees the endowment's portfolio strategy and manager selection. Sinclair's professional background includes an affiliation with Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Day-to-day financial management is led by Paul Rafac, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

The endowment exists to support the Chicago Botanic Garden, which the Chicago Horticultural Society operates under a public-private partnership with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. The Forest Preserve District owns the 385-acre land, while the Society manages the Garden and controls the endowment. This structure separates land ownership from operational governance.

Beyond its investment portfolio — which includes U.S. commercial real estate funds, global investment partnerships, and hedge fund allocations — the Society holds a rare book collection, a living plant collection, and a dedicated art collection located at the Garden. These non-financial assets are tied to the institution's cultural and scientific mission.

Public records confirm allocations to U.S. commercial real estate funds and global investment partnerships, suggesting a fund-commitment model alongside potential direct holdings. The endowment's investment partnerships are noted as global in scope.

As a non-profit operating entity, the Society generates revenue through Garden admissions, memberships, private philanthropy, and public support, while the endowment serves as a long-term financial reserve. The Forest Preserve District of Cook County provides the land, but the Society is responsible for operating and funding the Garden.

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County owns the land at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Illinois. The Chicago Horticultural Society operates the Garden through a cooperative agreement that dates back to 1965, making this a long-standing public-private arrangement.