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.

garden fair and plant sale attendees with cart full of plants

dinner under the stars attendees posing with drinks

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.

bench in the azalea collections, surrounded by blooming azaleas

Commemorative Bench Brochure

visitors eating a picnic in front of the capitol columns

Dinner Under the Stars attendees in the ellipse meadow

PLANNED GIVING

Make your legacy part of the future of the U.S. National Arboretum! 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.

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.

FreeWill

To help you get started on your plans and legacy, FONA has partnered with FreeWill, an online tool that guides you through the process of creating a legally valid will or trust. It’s easy to use, accessible online and can be completed in 20 minutes. You can use this resource on its own, or use it to document your wishes before finalizing your plans with an attorney. FreeWill is a free tool for you to use, regardless of whether you include FONA in your will or not.

Heritage Society

When you include FONA as a beneficiary of your will, you become a member of FONA’s Heritage Society, a group of like-minded individuals invested in the future of the Arboretum. Heritage Society members are recognized for their forward-thinking generosity and included in a number of special events throughout the year.

Have you already included a gift in your will or trust? Please fill out this form to let us know! We would love to thank you for your generosity and include you in our Heritage Society. Contact us at info@fona.org with questions.

Make Your FreeWill

Report a Gift in Your Will or Trust

JOBS & VOLUNTEERING

Volunteers provide crucial support throughout the year to FONA’s events and programs. We have many different opportunities, from gardening in Washington Youth Garden, to helping with our annual Garden Fair & Plant Sale, to supporting other public community events.