Giving

Financial support from the Foundation’s endowment plays an important role in maintaining world-class botanical gardens, sculpture collections, art and educational programs which have become the hallmark of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Ways to Give

There are a number of ways to give to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation; below is a summary to consider. Counsel with personal advisors is recommended to understand the impact of each within the context of a donor’s individual tax situation and estate plan.

Gift of Cash

A lifetime gift of cash is the most immediate and simple way to give to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation. This donation may be claimed as a charitable deduction by those taxpayers who itemize their deductions.

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Gift of Appreciated Securities

A lifetime gift of an appreciated security, which has been owned for more than one year, gives the donor a charitable deduction for the full market value of the security by those taxpayers who itemize their deductions. This strategy also avoids capital gain taxes on the growth of the security.

Gift at Death

A gift at the donor's death by way of an estate pledge, by will, by Trust, or via beneficiary designation, to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation may reduce a donor’s estate subject to tax.

Gift of Retirement Assets

An individual retirement account contribution may be made payable to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with a designation to the Meijer Gardens endowment. Please use the Individual Retirement Account form.

Gift of Retirement Asset Form

Donor Advised Funds

If you have created a Donor Advised Fund with a public charity and wish to use the fund to make a contribution to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation, the contribution may be made payable to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park with a designation to the Meijer Gardens endowment. Please use the Donor Advised Fund form.

Donor Advised Fund Form

Charitable Gift Annuity

A charitable gift annuity is part gift and part purchase of an annuity and results in an income tax charitable deduction in the amount of the gift portion. Contributions are generally made with cash or appreciated securities. With this option, a donor can transfer cash or an asset to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation and, in return, the Foundation will make regular fixed payments to the donor for life.

Charitable Remainder Trust

A charitable remainder trust provides the donor with annual income over the term of the Trust, while receiving a charitable deduction in the year it is established. Any capital gains tax due on contributed appreciated securities are stretched out over the term of the trust, as well. The underlying remaining assets go to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation at Trust’s termination. A charitable remainder trust can also be funded at a donor’s death to provide income to one or more persons during their lifetime(s).

Specify How Your Gift is Used

There are a number of established funds, both restricted and unrestricted, from which to choose when making your donation.

More About Funds

Recognition of Gifts

Cumulative gifts to the Frederik Meijer Garden and Sculpture Foundation offer different levels of recognition and opportunities.

$200-$999

Qualifies donors for recognition as an annual contributor.

$1,000+

Qualifies donors for permanent recognition at Meijer Gardens.

$10,000+

Offers donors the opportunity to join the Perennial Society and allows donors to establish a named fund.

$100,000+

Offers donors the opportunity to join the Bonsai Society.

Foundation Donors

Bonsai Society

$1,000,000 or more

  • Fred* & Dorothy* Fichter
  • Dirk & Victoria* Hoffius
  • Harvey Lemmen*
  • Frederik* & Lena* Meijer
  • Meijer, Inc.
  • The Meijer Foundation
  • Peter* & Joan Secchia
  • Chris* & Charlotte* Southwick

$500,000–$999,999

  • James* & Joan Hoffman
  • Christine M. Liebrock*
  • Bernie & Rose Rosenthal
  • Arthur* & Elizabeth* E. Snell

$250,000–$499,999

  • John D. & Marian F. Bouwer
  • Dr. David G. Dvorak & Ms. Karol J. Peterson
  • Eileen DeVries Family Foundation
  • Clare F. Jarecki*
  • Ed* & June Prein Family
  • Wege Foundation

$100,000–$249,999

  • L. Dale* & Jean* Atkinson
  • Kenneth Bandstra
  • Karl F. & Patricia J. Betz
  • William & Laurie Boer
  • Michael J. & Lora A. DeVries
  • Earl* & Donnalee Holton
  • Sarah & Michael Julien
  • C. Thomas & Evelyn Kapteyn
  • Thomas Peter Kapteyn
  • Miner* & Mary Ann* Keeler/Keeler Foundation
  • Keller Foundation
  • Ray & Nancy* Loeschner
  • Donald* & Kathleen Maine
  • David R. & Mary Ann Mapes
  • Marsilje Foundation
  • Doug Meijer & Kendall Meijer Foundation
  • Hank & Liesel Meijer
  • Thomas P. Merchant & Glen W. Johnson
  • Daniel W. Miller & Susan L. Wright-Miller
  • A.G.* & Mary* Morrison
  • In Memory of Don & Dorothy Hoyt Pingree
  • John & Gail Nowak
  • Richard & Valerie Peacock
  • Milt & Barbara Rohwer
  • Lynn & John P. Vinkemulder
  • Robert Zylstra

* Indicates Deceased Donors