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Philanthropy

At the Conservatory, nature is for everyone!

When you give to the Conservatory, you invest in a place that has been inspiring Columbus since 1993. We immerse visitors from all walks of life in a greener and more peaceful world, helping the entire community make cherished memories that last. Your gift to our unrestricted fund inspires children of all backgrounds, helps community gardens flourish all over the city, makes healthy living easier for your neighbors and fosters a world that celebrates nature, now and for generations to come.

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Tax Season Notice: The Conservatory does not automatically send year-end gift summaries; however, if a letter summarizing your 2023 cash donations is essential for your tax preparations, one can be provided.

To request a letter summarizing your 2023 donations, please email Laurel Quaintance, Donor Services Manager, at [email protected].


Your Support Makes a Difference You can learn more about your community impact and our financials throughout our website and in our most recent annual report. Stay informed about what’s happening and the tax-deductible impact of your giving by signing up for our quarterly Conservatory Cultivators.

We are funded through a combination of fundraising and earned revenue. Generous individual donors, corporate and foundation grants, special events, the Women’s Sustaining Board, and governmental funding make up one-third of our operating revenue each year. The remaining two-thirds of the Conservatory's annual operating budget is covered through earned revenue that includes admissions, private rentals, gift shop and cafe sales, classes and mission-based programs.

We are grateful to all donors, supporters and advocates who help to elevate quality of life and connect the community through the power of nature.

More Ways to Give

Monarch Society

Just as monarch butterflies are a symbol of transformation, this special group of donors creates transformational change in our community. You can join the Monarch Society today with a gift of $1,000 or more! Your support will help more people connect to nature and each other, access fresh and healthy food, feel inspired by art and beauty and enjoy all of the physical and mental health benefits of spending time immersed in the natural world.

We thank our Monarch Society members through complimentary year-round admission, special donor events and behind-the-scenes moments. Monarch Society features multiple levels and associated benefits, each aimed at getting you closer to the impact that your Monarch Society membership makes possible.

We’re grateful for the generosity and commitment of our 2023 Monarch Society members and hope to welcome you to this group!

Learn More And Join

Tribute Gifts

Whether you are looking for a unique and unexpected gift for a friend, a meaningful remembrance of a loved one or a thoughtful recognition of a family member’s accomplishment, we can help you discover a significant way to pay tribute to the important people in your life.

Tribute donations come in many forms and are fully tax-deductible. Opportunities to pay tribute include making a gift of $25 or more which includes a note of thanks to your honoree, sponsoring a bulb in the annual Columbus Blooms spring exhibition or naming a day at the Conservatory in honor of your loved one.

Make A Tribute Gift

Memorial Bench

Dedicating a Conservatory bench in honor or memory of a loved one is the perfect way to make a unique gift with a tangible impact. Not only will your donation support life-changing programs that connect people with nature, thousands of people will find a gentle place to rest during their visit.

Benches are dedicated for gifts of $7,500 or more and placed in our Grand Mallway or in Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus, where visitors enjoy the sights and sounds of each changing season. Each bench has an inset plaque allowing for a custom message and the dedication will remain for the life of the bench, approximately 10 years.

Dedicate a Bench
Heirloom Society The Heirloom Society is a group of compassionate individuals who make an estate gift, creating a philanthropic legacy that enables the Conservatory to focus on serving the community today while ensuring its sustainability into the future. You can help generations to come make unforgettable memories and connect with the natural world through your planned gift.

A legacy gift can take many forms and there are various gift vehicles and options available for membership in the Heirloom Society.

If you have already included the Conservatory in your estate plans, please share the good news! To discuss a planned gift, or to notify us of your gift intent please contact Marly Coldiron at [email protected].
Sponsorship Opportunities Corporate partnership can help your organization reach new audiences, strengthen your reputation and engage your associates. Sponsorship opportunities include events, education programs, community initiatives and special exhibitions. To become a sponsor, contact Naomi Merino, Corporate and Foundation Relations Specialist, at [email protected] or 614.715.8041

Additional Options

Philanthropic Opportunities To learn more about philanthropic opportunities at Franklin Park Conservatory, or to make a gift by phone, please contact the Olivia Hickman, Development Assistant, at 614.715.8048 or [email protected].
Gifts of Stock or Securities To learn more about making a gift of stock, please contact Marly Coldiron at [email protected].
Fundraising Events The Conservatory hosts two signature events throughout the year. Becoming a sponsor or attending as a guest supports our education and community outreach programs. Learn More
Matching Workplace Gifts Join the dozens of Conservatory supporters who double their impact every year by directing their company’s corporate match program. Ask your company for information to discover if your gift can go twice as far!
Charity Information Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ official charitable name is Friends of the Conservatory, our 501(c)3 nonprofit arm. The Conservatory’s employer identification number (EIN) is 31-1657027. The full legal name and address of the organization is:

Friends of the Conservatory
1777 E. Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43203
Plant Donations For plant donation inquires, please contact Barb Arnold at [email protected] or 614.715.8094. The Conservatory cannot accommodate off-site plant pick-ups. The Conservatory is unable to accept animal or insect donations.
Art Donations If interested in donating works of art or historical artifacts connected to the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, please contact Bonnie DeRubertis, Associate Director of Exhibitions, at [email protected] or 614.715.8016.
Donation Requests Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is happy to support non-profit organizations whose mission aligns with the mission of the Conservatory via ticket donations. Each year we receive numerous requests for ticket donations. Please fill out the form to be considered. Donation Requests Form

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