Other Ways to Donate
There are numerous avenues through which you or your company can contribute to the Iowa Arboretum and provide support. Please find below a comprehensive list of the various options available.
Ways to Be Involved
– Purchase an Arboretum Membership
Support the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens and enjoy exclusive benefits, such as free admission, discounts on educational programs and gift shop, quarterly newsletter, and reciprocal privileges at participating American Horticultural Society gardens nationwide. Click here to become a member today!
– Garden Sponsorship
Celebrate your family or business by adopting a garden of your choice. Your family or business name/logo will grace a sign displayed in the sponsored garden. This program entails an annual fee.
– Sponsor an Event / Educational Program
Promote your business or let people know how much you support the Arboretum.
– Memorial & Honorarium Sponsorships
Honor or remember a family member, friend, or special occasions with an engraved brick, tree, medallion, or bench.
Picture: TM T Photography
ENDOWMENT FUND
Contributing to the Iowa Arboretum Endowment Fund is a powerful means of providing enduring support to the Arboretum. This fund, dedicated to growing annual income and sustaining general operations, is managed by the experienced Endowment Committee. Every donation to the Endowment Fund requires a specific designation, making it crucial for the Arboretum’s long-term sustainability.
ENDOW IOWA FUND
The Endow Iowa Tax Credit (EITC) program encourages donations to permanent endowments, offering sustainable support to Iowa nonprofits. Donors can potentially access EITC by making qualified gifts through an Iowa community foundation and its affiliates. Various gifts qualify, such as cash, real estate, farmland, appreciated securities, and retirement assets. For further information, contact your local community foundation or visit www.iowaeda. com/endow-iowa.
QUALIFIED CHARITABLE
DISTRIBUTIONS
Consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). Individuals can donate up to $100,000 total to a qualified charity like the Arboretum and directly from a taxable IRA as part of their Required Minimum Distributions (RMD). There may be tax advantages available to QCD donors. Consult with your tax and financial advisors for additional specifics related to RMDs.
MAJOR GIFTS
Major gifts are significant contributions received by the Arboretum annually, providing crucial support for vital projects, programs, and activities. They play a key role in funding capital improvements aligned with the master plan, such as new trees, gardens, maintenance equipment, and educational programming. By making major gifts, you contribute directly to enhancing the visitor experience.
Picture: TM T Photography
Other Gifts
Gifts of Stock
Giving stock is an ideal way to support the Arboretum and can provide tax benefits to the donor. The Arboretum can provide their broker information for conducting the transaction.
Estate Gifts
Planned giving enables you to leave a legacy and meet your estate planning needs. It provides long-term financial stability for the Arboretum.
Employer Match
Your employer may have a policy of matching your gift to the Arboretum, though policies vary by employer. Contact your employer’s human resources department with questions.
Other Gifts
Real estate, grain, life insurance, charitable remainder trust, and other tangible assets are great ways to support the long-term sustainability of the Arboretum.
Garden Sponsorships
Sponsor a garden and a decorative sign acknowledging your business, family, or friends will be added to the garden of your choice. This is a great way to promote your business or recognize your family or friends. Sponsorship funds will be used to support annual maintenance and landscape improvements for each garden area.
Garden sponsorships are $300 per year. Please contact Jan at jan@iowaarboretum.org or 515.795.3216 if you are interested in finding out more about the Garden Sponsorship Program.
Picture: TM T Photography
Event Sponsorships
The Iowa Arboretum is a major regional attraction in the Midwest attracting thousands of visitors annually. It is a nonprofit organization supported entirely by gifts, memberships, sales, grants, endowments, and sponsorships. Individuals, organizations, or companies are invited to become an event or education program sponsor.
Sponsorship Levels
Platinum $5,000
Gold $2,500
Silver $1,000
Bronze (individual event sponsor) Value stated for each event
Benefits for Individuals/Companies/Organizations
- Special signage at sponsored events
- Recognition in the Arboretum’s newsletter
- Recognition on the Arboretum website and in email communications
- Subscription to the Iowa Arboretum Newsletter
For more details regarding making a donation of stock, estate gifts, or any other forms of contributions, we encourage you to get in touch with the Executive Director at 515.795.3316 or via email at info@iowaarboretum.org.
We sincerely appreciate your generous contributions, regardless of the method you choose for donation. Your gifts play a crucial role in sustaining the operations of the Arboretum and ensuring its accessibility to the public, enabling everyone to enjoy its myriad offerings.!
“We support the Iowa Arboretum & Gardens because we value the outdoors and wish to instill that in our son. The Arboretum provides the ideal setting in which we can nurture his interest and excitement about nature and wildlife. It’s also a great place to tune out the noise and spend meaningful time as a family.”