SUPPORT

During the past 10 years through the ongoing support of our loyal membership base, we have been able to hold our membership dues flat while strengthening the ways in which FONA supports the National Arboretum and our community through programs, events, and partnerships. With the rising costs we are all facing each day, we are at the point where we must increase our membership dues to cover these costs.

We are so grateful to you, our members, who make all of our work possible. Members enjoy exclusive benefits throughout the year, but more importantly, members champion FONA and the Arboretum.

$45
Membership for one individual
Subscription to Arbor Friends, FONA’s member magazine
Invitation to member-only events, including the Members-Only hours at the Garden Fair & Plant Sale in April
20% off educational programs at the Arboretum
Reciprocal discounts at over 345+ gardens and arboreta across the country, through the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program. See the list of participating sites.

$75
Membership for two individuals
Includes all of the benefits listed above

$150
Membership for two individuals
Includes all of the benefits listed above, plus
A gift of an Arboretum Introduction plant at our annual Garden Fair and Plant Sale!

$300
Membership for two individuals
Includes all of the benefits listed above

$600
Membership for two individuals
Includes all of the benefits listed above

Questions about membership? Contact Claire Broderick at 202-918-1838 or cbroderick@fona.org.

DAVID FAIRCHILD SOCIETY

The David Fairchild Society is a community of supporters passionate about the National Arboretum’s gardens, plant research, education, and community engagement efforts. David Fairchild spent his life exploring the world, collecting plants, and sharing them throughout America and the world. He brought us many plants and foods that are staples in American culture, such as ornamental cherry trees and Meyer lemons. Join us as we embark on a bold and innovative future!

Contribute an annual gift to join the David Fairchild Society for a year at one of the following membership levels.

$1,200

The Arboretum has one of the largest and oldest assemblages of cultivars of American holly (Ilex opaca) you’ll find anywhere today. Hollies are spectacularly unique, diverse, and form the bedrock of American garden design.

Just like a holly tree’s berries in winter, members of our Holly Level form the foundation of our Society and allow it to flourish year-round.

$2,500

Crapemyrtle cultivars created by the Arboretum are hardy, adaptable, mildew-resistant, and bring a spectacular array of color to gardens across America during the hottest part of the year. The Arboretum’s 31 crapemyrtle cultivars introduced over the years continue to enhance the beauty of gardens throughout the world.

Members of our Crapemyrtle Level bring vibrancy and energy to our Society.

$5,000

Magnolias designed by the Arboretum bring a dazzling diversity of bloom time, colors, and size to gardens throughout the year. As a prominent feature in the Arboretum’s work to develop new and improved landscape plants, deciduous and magnolia cultivars pique interest in American gardens in spring and summer with shades of pink, white, and purple.

Members of our Magnolia Level support the Arboretum in its quest for superior ornamental plants.

$10,000

The Arboretum’s boxwood collection is one of the most complete collections of temperate-growing boxwood in the world. It provides key genetic materials to Arboretum scientists in order to research disease resistant varieties.

Members of our Boxwood Level are critical to conserving the Arboretum and ensuring the long-term success of its mission.

$25,000

Azaleas designed by the Arboretum create a long-lasting cacophony of color every spring across the country. Dedicated researchers spent decades breeding varieties from around the world to produce varieties that are cold hardy, have larger flower size, and vary bloom time.

Members of our Azalea Level are the pillar of our Society and are dedicated to innovating the Arboretum into the future.

$50,000+

David Fairchild spent his life exploring the world, collecting plants, and sharing them throughout America and the world. He brought us many plants and foods that are staples in American culture, such as ornamental cherry trees and Meyer lemons.

Members of our David Fairchild Level are the bold explorers committed to sharing the National Arboretum with the world.

Questions about the David Fairchild Society? Contact Claire Alrich at 202-918-1868 or calrich@fona.org.

DFS Brochure

COMMEMORATIVE BENCHES

Honor loved ones or special occasions by donating a teak bench at the National Arboretum. Each commemorative bench will have a plaque engraved with your message and will remain for 15 years.

Past benches have been placed all over the Arboretum. Many are nestled in quiet nooks along streams, stand sentinel in the meadow with the Capitol Columns, and watch flowers bloom all across the Arboretum.

This memorial not only provides a beautiful spot for respite and relaxation for visitors to the National Arboretum, but also supports the Arboretum’s public gardens and scientific work. Your donation of a commemorative bench is tax deductible.

Commemorative Bench Brochure

PLANNED GIVING

Making a planned gift is a wonderful way to show your support and appreciation for Friends of the National Arboretum and its mission while accommodating your own personal, financial, estate-planning, and philanthropic goals. Make your legacy part of the future of the U.S. National Arboretum.

While we encourage you to check with your financial advisor, there are multiple ways to make a legacy gift, including making FONA a beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy, will, or living trust. See our suggested bequest language. Please contact us at info@fona.org with questions or to learn about other legacy gift options.

Thank you for considering a legacy gift to Friends of the National Arboretum! Once you have established your plans, please contact our office (info@fona.org) or Cathy Kerkam (Cathy@fona.org) to let us know of your plans so that we may thank you and include you as a member of our Heritage Society. Have you already listed FONA in your will? Let us know — we would love to thank you and include you in FONA’s Heritage Society.

Sample Bequest Language

VOLUNTEERING & JOBS

Springhouse Run

Help keep the restored Springhouse Run stream healthy by pulling invasive vines and weeds and planting along the bank. No experience needed! We will provide supplies and guidance. See our calendar for available dates and times.

Gardening

Individual, group, and youth volunteers provide crucial help with gardening tasks such as weeding, planting, mulching, and pest control from April through mid-November. You don’t need prior experience, but you must be willing to make friends with the soil and the bugs! See our garden page to learn more.

Events

Spend a day enjoying plants and people by volunteering to help with our annual Garden Fair and Plant Sale, or let us know if you would like to help with other events like our concerts and 5Ks. Sign up to volunteer today.

Jobs

Check out our Jobs page to see if we’re hiring. Sign up for FONA Field Notes to be the first to know about future employment opportunities.

General Online Donations

Membership

David Fairchild Society

Other Ways to Support

SUPPORT

DONATE

Online

By Mail

By Phone

With Securities

Through DAF

FONA MEMBERSHIP

DAVID FAIRCHILD SOCIETY

David Fairchild $50,000+

Azalea $25,000

Boxwood $10,000

Magnolia $5,000

Crapemyrtle $2,500

Holly $1,200

COMMEMORATIVE BENCHES

PLANNED GIVING

VOLUNTEERING & JOBS

Springhouse Run

Gardening

Events

Jobs

OUR RATINGS

CONTACT

PUBLICATIONS

DISCLOSURES

SOCIAL MEDIA

BOARD PORTAL

JOBS

VOLUNTEER