Societies

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.

Foundation Society Members Encouraged to Unlock Inner Child at Recognition Event

Anyone who’s ever visited the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will attest that it tugs at the heartstrings of young and old alike. And in 2024, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation Society members were offered the opportunity to “go young” by unlocking their inner child at the annual Society Donor Recognition Event.

June 19 marked not only an observance of “Juneteenth” but served as the date for more than 100 members of the Foundation’s Bonsai and Perennial societies to enjoy time spent in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden before being treated to a sumptuous buffet dinner.

It was a fitting backdrop for what Meijer Gardens President & CEO Charles Burke would characterize in after-dinner remarks as a moment to consider the importance of sharing Meijer Gardens with children at an early age, “so that when they are 60, they understand our core, our founding, our legacy as a dynamic institution.”

“I looked at tonight’s invitation (whose cover read ‘LET’S GO PLAY’) and it felt like a return to what you might have done as a kid,” said Bob DeBoer, who with his wife, Lois, is a Perennial member. At age 95, though, Bob quipped that “I must say that we never had anything like this when I was a youngster…we might have had a hot dog and some Cracker Jacks!”

No matter your age or experience, Perennial member Kathy Forzley opined that “What we appreciate is how it’s such a community resource.” Added her husband, Greg, “We can always count on something to surprise us, whether it’s the arts or horticulture.”

Bonsai Society member Ken Bandstra lauded Meijer Gardens as a place that competes with other attractions worldwide in offering one-of-a-kind experience, no matter your tastes and preferences, “like almost nowhere else on the planet.”

And that isn’t bound to change, noted Meijer Foundation President Bill Boer, given that Meijer Gardens still has 220 acres to develop. Through purposeful and strategic planning, leadership will keep adding elements – and always with an eye on satisfying a wide array of interests.

Perennial member Robert Burnham traced his love of Meijer Gardens in part to founder Fred Meijer himself, whom he called a “lifelong friend and wonderful human being” whose kindness and generosity surfaced in ways both subtle and overt.

Robert’s wife, Sandy, called Meijer Gardens a “world-class place we are so blessed to have,” adding, “We encourage everyone to keep coming back to support it – including the Children’s Garden, which our grandchildren just love.”

Indeed, grandchildren were on the minds of others as well, including John and Janet Baab, Perennial members. “It’s impressive, no matter your age, and it really appeals to the grandkids,” said John. “We think that’s because it’s always changing. You don’t come once and see it and say ‘that’s it.’ ”

Perennial member Kathleen Maine cherishes how Meijer Gardens isn’t reticent about re-inventing itself – for children, for adults, for everyone. “You have to be ready to grow,” she says, “and one of the hallmarks of that is having leadership stepping up, coming up with new ideas, challenging assumptions and leaning in to help with that growth.”

Maine said she believes Fred Meijer purposely surrounded himself with a varied mix of people when he considered founding Meijer Gardens: “I think Fred knew when he gathered together so many different perspectives that it was the best way to seed this initiative.”

The result was what Bonsai member Tom Merchant says is a “cultural favorite in West Michigan” that takes its place alongside other endearing nonprofit enterprises, all of which help define Grand Rapids and environs.

Foundation President Boer revealed during his presentation that in 2023, the Foundation was able to contribute nearly $6.8 million to the Gardens.

Burke then shared data indicating how Meijer Gardens owes its success to more than 300 employees, 600-plus volunteers serving more than 750,000 visitors annually, 58,000 concertgoers, and more than 300,000 who participate in field trips. Yearly, Meijer Gardens contributes $138 million worth of economic impact to the area, supporting 1,167 jobs for the local economy.

Many in attendance at the annual Society Donor Recognition event expressed gratitude for the ways in which one can donate through the Foundation – with cash gifts, pledges, estate gifts, retirement assets, donor advised funds, and more.

That would include hybrid gifts to the Foundation, like that of the F. Phillip Van Eyl Fund established for maintenance of the DeZwaan Windmill Botanical Model in the Railway Garden. Chris Van Eyl-Godin and her extended family donated to the Railway Garden in memory of her late father, F. Philip Van Eyl, beloved psychology professor at Hope College. “He was born and raised in the Netherlands, and when he passed away, we decided to honor his love of windmills with a replica of the DeZwaan windmill in Holland, Michigan,” she explained.

That decision, she said, was an easy one: “Because they do everything so well here. And it’s become such a welcoming place for so many people.”

If you would like to learn more on how to become a member of the Bonsai or Perennial Society and join us at the annual Society Donor Recognition, please contact the Foundation at susanne.veeneman@meijer.com or visit our website at fmgsf.org.