Memorial and Tribute Giving

Significant life events are beautifully and sensitively recognized with a memorial or tribute gift. The Morris Arboretum has a variety of giving opportunities specifically designed to mark the birth of a child, a marriage, a special birthday or anniversary, or the death of a loved one. Unrestricted memorial or tribute gifts are placed in the Memorial Fund that supports all aspects of the mission of the Arboretum.

In addition, the following specific giving opportunities are available:

Trees
$3,000
These are young, well-established trees in the Arboretum’s collection. A short inscription is added to the orange accession tag attached to a lower branch. Should the tree fail to thrive in the 5 years following its dedication, a new tree will be chosen. Gifts are placed in the Tree Care Endowment, income from which helps maintain the living collection.

Benches
$1,000 to $2,500
Sturdy, five-foot long teak benches are available. An inscription is carved into the back rail. The specific location of the bench will be coordinated by the staff of the Horticulture Department, keeping the donor’s wishes in mind. Very few sites are available.

Library Books
The Arboretum has a “wish list” of books that it would like to acquire for the Library. Depending on the size of the donation, a single volume or a set of books can be bought for the Library and an attractive bookplate will be affixed to the book in recognition of the memorial or tribute gift.

Other Memorial and Tribute Opportunities
Contributions for horticultural projects are always welcome. These gifts fund planting and maintenance throughout the garden. Donors can specify which part of the garden they wish to support:

The Marion Rivinus Rose Garden
The Garden Railway
The Natural Areas
Paper Mill Run
The Hardy Plant Collection
The Native Plant Collection
The Fernery and Greenhouses

An acknowledgement will be sent to each donor and a list of donors will be forwarded periodically to the family. In addition, the donation and its use will be featured in the Annual Report. Any contribution of $2,000 or more will be commemorated on the Tributes & Memorials Wall at the Oak Allee.

The Morris Arboretum is happy to offer the use of a reception room at the Widener Building for a simple gathering of family and friends as a benefit for any memorial or tribute gift of $2,000 or more. The Arboretum will provide a list of five caterers from which the donor may choose.

For additional information, please call Victoria Sicks, Associate Director of Development, at (215) 247-5777, ext. 152.

Thank you for thinking of the Morris Arboretum.