Articles

Dear Friends,

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation (the Foundation) exists for one purpose – to support Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (Meijer Gardens). Each year, the Foundation allocates millions of dollars to Meijer Gardens.

In 2024, Foundation investments grew from $177,366,000 to $188,065,000 – an annual growth rate of 9.2%. This is the highest year-end balance in the history of the Foundation.

Consequently, the Foundation was able to transfer $6,823,000 to Meijer Gardens. This transfer provides funding for daily operations and for special, dedicated restricted funds such as the Japanese Garden Fund and the Fred & Dorothy Fichter Fund (Butterflies Are Blooming).

The Foundation Board is composed of talented community leaders who work closely with the Foundation’s investment advisory firm, Crewcial Partners. The Board meets quarterly to monitor portfolio asset allocation as well as manager performance. Between our committee members and our advisor, the Foundation portfolio is in very capable hands.

There are many ways for you to support the Foundation with your charitable gifts. For example, you can join the Foundation’s Perennial Society with a named fund at the $10,000 level or the Bonsai Society at the $100,000 level. Please note that neither Society requires an upfront cash donation; you may make this gift as part of your estate plan or as a pledge over multiple years. Please speak with your estate planning attorney about this opportunity or contact the Foundation’s Executive Director, Sue Veeneman, for further information.

It is a privilege for Foundation Board members to serve Meijer Gardens in this unique way. We are enormously proud of this community asset and thank our donors for their support. We also thank the Meijer family for bringing this special place to West Michigan.

Sincerely,

William J. Boer

Foundation President