Give FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Details on How to Give are located on our GIVE page.
For fastest processing, donors should send their checks to the UC Berkeley Foundation and indicate that the gift is for the UC Botanical Garden on accompanying paperwork, or on the memo line of their check. This is the same for gifts made via donor advised fund (DAF) or IRA distributions.
UC Berkeley Foundation/Gift Services
1995 University Avenue, Suite 400
Berkeley, CA 94704-1070
It is helpful if you also email Director of Development Mary Canales to let her know your gift is en route marycanales@berkeley.edu
Yes! You can make a one-time donation online here.
To make a Recurring Gift, visit the UC Berkeley Foundation’s giving webpage here and search Botanical Garden. Begin to make your gift in the form provided, then select “Recurring.” From there, you can select the frequency (monthly, quarterly, annually) and duration (until I cancel or until a specific date).
There are many ways you can make a meaningful gift to the Garden, from Donor Advised Funds, gifts of securities or charitable contributions from your IRA. Please review the How to Give options on this page.
Yes, to do this go to UC Berkeley Foundation’s giving webpage here and search Botanical Garden.
Begin to make your gift in the form provided, then select “Recurring.” From there, you can select the frequency (monthly, quarterly, annually) and duration (until I cancel or until a specific date).
Donors of gifts made in-kind to the Garden will receive a letter, signed by the Director, acknowledging the receipt of the good(s) or service(s) donated. Please note that this letter will not include the dollar amount as it is not the Garden’s role to place a market value on contributions.
Instead, we encourage donors to work with their tax advisor or other professional counsel. If an in-kind contribution is valued at $5,000+ it is advised that donors procure an appraisal prepared by a qualified appraiser.
A portion of your philanthropic gift, 7.5%, is allocated to support fundraising efforts. This level compares favorably to those at other UC schools and select institutions. One-half of this amount (3.75%) is directed to fundraising operations at the school, college, or program (e.g. UC Botanical Garden) benefiting from your gift, and the other half to further investments in development campus-wide. Your support enables us to contribute to renewing the University’s public mission and world-class excellence for generations to come.
Gifts made anywhere on campus count toward participation in The Charter Hill Society, Berkeley’s annual giving recognition program. In addition, the Garden has its own donor recognition programs.
For more information about the Garden’s donor recognition programs, please contact Director of Development Mary Canales at marycanales@berkeley.edu
For more information about The Charter Hill Society, its tiers and benefits, and other campus recognition programs, please visit The Charter Hill Society website.
The Garden’s operating budget in FY 2024/2025 was approximately $5 million.
The Garden spends 50% of its income on Collection care and garden experience and 10% on education and outreach, totaling 60%. This is on par with other gardens, zoos, and aquariums. Other expenses include membership services, marketing, development, administration, management, and general. All expenses directly support the Garden’s mission.
As an integral part of the University, we are grateful for the campus support we received which this year totaled around 27% of our income. The rest of our budget, equaling 73% of our total income, came from generous contributions from our supporters along with admission fees, classes, venue rentals for special events and gift shop and plant sales.
The UC Berkeley’s Foundation payout is up to 4%. This can fluctuate depending on market conditions but all information is available on the Foundation’s website.
Thank you so much for asking! Our priority for now and the next few years is building our reserves through gifts made to our Annual Fund. This enables our Director and expert, professional staff to have some flexibility and maximize opportunities as they arise.
If you are interested in supporting a capital project, please review our Strategic Plan 2030 here and follow up with Director of Development Mary Canales at marycanales@berkeley.edu.
Yes, read our Strategic Plan 2030 here for a list of exciting plans that will improve and expand the Garden facilities and visitor experience!