- Scott E. Andrews
- Kenneth Bandstra
- Karl F. & Patricia J. Betz
- William & Laurie Boer
- John D. & Marian F. Bouwer
- Michael J. & Lora A. DeVries
- Dr. David G. Dvorak & Ms. Karol J. Peterson
- Eileen DeVries Family Foundation
- Fred Fichter
- Dirk Hoffius
- Joan Hoffman
- Earl* & Donnalee Holton
- Sarah & Michael Julien
- C. Thomas & Evelyn Kapteyn
- Thomas Peter Kapteyn
- Mary Ann Keeler
- David Klinzing, Todd Theisen, Patrick Tischler
- Christine M. Liebrock*
- Ray Loeschner
- Kathleen Maine
- David R. & Mary Ann Mapes
- Edward & Diana Marsilje
- Doug Meijer & Kendall Meijer Foundation
- Lena Meijer
- Hank & Liesel Meijer
- Thomas P. Merchant & Glen W. Johnson
- Daniel W. Miller & Susan L. Wright-Miller
- In Memory of Don & Dorothy Hoyt Pingree
- John & Gail Nowak
- Richard & Valerie Peacock
- June Prein
- Milt & Barbara Rohwer
- Bernie & Rose Rosenthal
- Peter* & Joan Secchia
- Kevin* & Mary Speicher
- Lynn & John P. Vinkemulder
- Robert Zylstra
Societies
The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation offers two societies for those who have made significant contributions to the Foundation. Members qualify for permanent recognition at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and are invited to the annual Donor Recognition event.
Bonsai Society
Those who have cumulative monetary gifts and/or pledges in estate plans of $100,000 or more to the Foundation are members of the Bonsai Society.
To qualify for membership with an estate gift pledge, donors must submit a copy of the gift provision in their estate plan, or have other written documentation, verifying that the $100,000 minimum has been met.
If a donor's plan calls for a percentage of the estate's remainder, and the amount will meet or exceed $100,000, a written statement from the donor's estate planner, tax consultant, or attorney would meet the requirement for membership.
Members
Perennial Society
Those who have a cumulative monetary gifts and/or pledges in estate plans of $10,000 or more to the Foundation are members of the Perennial Society.
To qualify for membership with an estate gift pledge, donors must submit a copy of the gift provision in their estate plan, or have other written documentation, verifying that the $10,000 minimum has been met.
If a donor's plan calls for a percentage of the estate's remainder, and the amount will meet or exceed $10,000, a written statement from the donor's estate planner, tax consultant, or attorney would meet the requirement for membership.
Members
- William E. Alt
- Gasper J. Amodeo*
- John G. & Janet Baab
- Tammy & Howie Bailey
- Jean W. Barkin
- Nancy Batts
- Charles & Debbie Beckwith
- Ken Betz & Pat Brewer
- Charles & Patricia Bloom
- John Bodary
- Fred A. Bogaert
- Vern* & Norma* Boss
- Paul & Cathy Boyer
- Molly Bradshaw
- Daniel & Barbara Braun
- Sheri Brolick
- Jim & Donna Brooks
- Joan Buchanan
- Jesse & Gia Budrick
- Robert & Sandra Burnham
- Christopher & Annie Caldwell
- Kent Garden Club
- The Works Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation
- Robert & Susan Conklin
- Fred Cooper
- Glen B. Corp
- Thomas Dandridge
- Gilbert R. & Patricia K. Davis
- Robert & Lois De Boer
- Daniel & Pamella DeVos
- James & Judy DeLapa
- Abby J. & Milo R. DeVries
- Elizabeth Tinney Donley
- Chris & Deanna Eckert
- Jon C. Ferguson
- Gregory & Kathy Forzley
- Nancy McKenzie Frost
- Henry G. Fuhs
- Mark & Barbara Gerson
- Gillett Family Foundation Trust
- John & Nancy Gordon
- William* & Suzanne* Green
- Terry & Margie Griffith
- Sid & Elizabeth Harkema
- John & Gwen* Hibbard
- Dirk & June Hoffius
- Robert Hooker
- David S. & Leslie A. Hooker
- Reg* & Delores Horn
- Marilyn Hunting
- Mike & Sue Jandernoa
- Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids
- Charles R. & Linda H.* Johnson
- Donald & Bunny Johnson
- Jim & Sheryl Jurries
- Jeanne M. Kapenga
- James & Amy Keane
- James Keane, Jr.
- Donald E. & Ann Kelley
- John & Nancy Kennedy
- Sue Kloostra
- Wayne & Vicki Korson
- Douglas* & Raymonde Kramlich
- Ping & Tim Liang
- Eugene G. & Jean P* Lyons
- Barbara P. Marcus
- M. Lynn Martin
- Bruce & Candace Matthews
- Barbara Mayo-Johnson
- Lexy McCulloch
- Mac & Pinky McPherson
- Linda & David Mehney
- Deborah Meijer
- Jack H. Miller
- Daniel & Kathleen Molhoek
- John W. Morrison
- Richard G. & Maureen J. Morrison
- Jeanenne Morton
- Katharine L. Neff
- Arlene Obetts
- Jeff & Peg Padnos
- Keith G. Paluska
- Todd & Jan Polavin
- James & Marie Preston
- Patrick Pullen & Linda Chamberlain
- David & Kathleen Ray
- Robert S.* & Phyllis G. Rood
- Shirley J. Roskam
- Alwyn & Chris Rougier-Chapman
- Mark Sherwood & Saralyn Coupe
- Budge & Marilyn* Sherwood
- Jack & Susan Smith
- Ned & Kristi Snell
- Hilary F. Snell
- John & Judy Spoelhof Foundation
- Jesse* & Becky Stewart
- Helen & Fred Tallmadge
- The Tassell-Wisner-Bottrall Foundation
- Shawn Tilstra Family
- Marilyn Titche
- George & Kerstin Trowbridge
- F. Phillip Van Eyl Family
- Frank & Sharon Van Haven
- Allen & Nancy Vander Laan
- Connie Wenger
- John L. & Carroll D. Wiener
- Gwen Bolt & Dorothy Williamson
- Stephen & Cheryl Wonch
- John & Heather Zak Family Foundation
- Tim & Kim Zeitter
Join
If you would like to become a member of the society, please contact Susanne Veeneman, Executive Director of the Foundation, at 616-791-3901 or susanne.veeneman@meijer.com.
2025 Annual Donor Event
Foundation Society Members Come Home to Lena's, Where a Legacy Began
Burros strolled among flowers and greenery. A windmill creaked above heirloom gardens. The aroma of grilling vegetables filledthe air, accompanied by gentle breezes and laughter.
Welcome home to Lena’s, where the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation’s Society members enjoyed a farm-to-table experience in the Michigan Farm Garden.
“Tonight, we gather in a truly special setting,” Foundation President Amy Keane noted of the replica family farmstead of Lena Meijer’s childhood. “This Depression-era re-creation isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a journey back to where the legacy began. What a fitting place to honor the roots of the Foundation, and to celebrate those of you helping ensure its future through your support of the Foundation.”
It was fitting, too, that Keane recalled how the enthusiasm and support of her father, Ray Loeschner, a founder of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, sparked her own interest during Meijer Gardens’ earliest days.
On this night, the Foundation recognized 51 Bonsai Society members, 141 Perennial Society members, and 1,179 donor households in its records. The Foundation raised over $10 million in 2024, and in 2025 distributed over $7.5 million to support Meijer Gardens.
“Your gifts are the Foundation’s lifelines,” Keane stated. “Thank you for your vision, your generosity, your belief. Thank you for helping keep Fred and Lena’s dream alive.”
Meijer Gardens Board of Directors Chair Candace Matthews expressed her gratitude in return. “This is a place of love and joy. Thank you for everything you do—and everything you will do in the future.”
Asked what the Foundation means to them, many Society members mentioned wanting to give back to the community that is Meijer Gardens—and how the Foundation helps that community flourish.
“It’s more what Meijer Gardens means to us and how they invest money from the Foundation to continue the legacy,” said Bonsai Society and 30-year Meijer Gardens members Susan Wright-Miller and Dan Miller. “It’s about sustainability and how this is such a treasure for the community. The funds help in so many ways.”
“I give to a lot of charities,” Perennial Society member Arlene Obetts said. “The Foundation and Meijer Gardens are close by, and I can actually see what they do.”
Others appreciate the Foundation’s role in helping Meijer Gardens thrive. “It’s a place for contemplation, beauty, enjoyment—so many adjectives to describe the Gardens!” said new Bonsai Society members Michael and Lora DeVries. “Meijer Gardens is important to people for so many reasons, among them the diversity of membership.”
It’s a special place thousands can enjoy, noted Bonsai Society members John and Marian Bouwer. “The Foundation’s logical pace to giving ensures the future—the perpetuity. The Foundation is agreat asset to the Gardens.”
Meijer Gardens President & CEO Charles Burke, lauded Meijer Garden’s 30th anniversary, record attendance and growth, and offered “very precious” words from Fred Meijer:
“We all breathe the same air .… We love and we hurt together .…A little better because of this park ...”
After thanking Foundation leadership, Burke continued, “Our community has grown. Our board of directors has grown. Our staff has continued to grow, attracting the best and brightest from the region. Programming has grown.” Meijer Gardens has
become an example for other institutions. “We’re all here together because we truly love this special place.”
Meijer Gardens is dear to Bonsai Society member Dirk Hoffius, whose family were pioneering supporters. “Foundation revenue is a wonderful thing, especially when situations like Covid stop your gate revenue. The phenomenal thing is continuity. So many organizations don’t have it—and if you don’t have it from the beginning, you struggle.”
Continuity is also noteworthy for board member and new Bonsai Society member Kathleen Maine. “It’s important to me to continue to serve our community—for children to learn, for adults to experiences new things.
I’m grateful for the support from the community to keep us on this path, for the things we can help with as a Foundation to achieve Meijer Gardens’ goals.”
