About the Arboretum Foundation

The Arboretum Foundation, a non-profit membership organization, has provided stewardship for Washington Park Arboretum since 1935. The Foundation raises funds, advocates, and manages membership and volunteer programs for the Arboretum. Fundraising events and programs include the annual Preview Gala at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, the FlorAbundance Spring Plant Sale, the Arboretum Shop, and a volunteer-managed greenhouse.

The Foundation provides funds for essential Arboretum operations and activities including tree care, maintenance, seasonal gardeners, children’s education, and collection restoration. We also raise money to help sustain the Seattle Japanese Garden at the Arboretum. Special fundraising projects have supported the construction of the Graham Visitors Center and the Japanese Garden Teahouse, pond and shoreline restoration, and more. The Arboretum Foundation has also expanded its core mission in recent years to include advocacy on behalf of Arboretum interests. This has been most evident in our work to minimize the environmental impacts of the upcoming SR 520 bridge replacement project on Foster Island and the wetlands of the Arboretum. Read more on the Foundation’s history.

The Arboretum Foundation is currently conducting a major gifts campaign to support implementation of a 20-year master plan to comprehensively restore and enhance the Arboretum. Recent successes include the funding of Phase 1 of the new Pacific Connections Garden and the Gateway to Chile, and helping finance the new entry gatehouse at the Japanese Garden. Our next big project will be the New Zealand Forest.

As a 501 (c) (3) organization, the Arboretum Foundation accepts unrestricted and restricted gifts (to special funds such as tree care and education) from individuals, corporations, and private foundations. Donors who give $1000 or more each year are recognized through the Arbor Circle, our major donor giving society. We also accept planned gifts, such as bequests and beneficiary designations. Gifts to the Arboretum Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.