Memberships & Giving

UD Botanic Gardens

Memberships (Annual + Benefits)

Members are essential to the gardens’ mission and growth, supporting education, research, and stewardship. By joining, you help cultivate new programs and expand opportunities for learning and discovery. Anyone with a lively interest in exploring gardening, design, or nature is encouraged to join.

Deductables

Memberships have tangible and taxable benefits associated with them. At higher levels, some Memberships are partially deductable.

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“My UDBG membership allowed me to enter the Leu Gardens in Orlando, FL, which has over 200 varieties of Camellia!”

“It was a beautiful day at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, AZ with free entry because of my membership.”

Explore Membership Levels and Benefits

Basic Membership Benefits

Free admission to member presentations in spring and fall
Discounted admission to various events and programs
Exclusive member newsletter, delivered electronically 3x annually
Exclusive and early access to our Spring Plant Sale via our online store
Members-only shopping day at the Spring Plant Sale
Reciprocal admission privileges to over 350 public gardens and arboreta through the American Horticultural Society
The opportunity to support the maintenance of the gardens and student learning

Individual Member — $40

Basic benefits for one person
Two herbaceous dividends per year
$0.00 tax deductible

Family Member — $60

Basic benefits for two adults in same household
Four herbaceous plant dividends per year
$0.00 tax deductible

Sustaining Member — $195

Basic benefits for two adults in the same household
Six herbaceous plant dividends per year
$110.00 tax deductible

Benefactor Member — $500

Basic benefits for two adults
Choice of herbaceous and or woody plant dividends
Meet horticulturist at UDBG to discuss personal plant needs
$415.00 tax deductible

Director Member — $1000

Basic benefits for two adults
Connoisseur plant dividends
Meet horticulturist to discuss personal plant needs
$865.00 tax deductible

Join now or renew your membership

Join or renew your membership online

To join UDBG as a member or to renew an existing membership, please complete our online form.

Print and mail a membership form

If you'd prefer, you may also download and print our membership form and mail it, along with a check, to:

UD Botanic Gardens
152 Townsend Hall
531 South College Ave
Newark, DE 19716

Please make checks payable to the "University of Delaware" with "UDBG" in the memo line.

Additional information

Memberships begin the month your application is received.

For more information, please call Lauren Kope at 302-831-0153 or email at lckope@udel.edu.

Giving (One-time or Recurring)

There are many opportunities to give in support of the gardens. You can give a gift specifically designed to honor the birth of a child, a marriage, an anniversary, or the passing of a loved one. You may also give a gift to support garden projects, student programs, or the gardens’ endowment.

Deductables

Donations are voluntary contributions made without direct benefits. They are generally fully deductable.

Make a gift >

Types of Giving*

UDBG Donors are vital partners in the future of the gardens, helping to further develop our landscape and the programmatic and educational opportunities we offer as a living laboratory for students and community members alike.

Give a Gift in Support

Give an unrestricted gift to support garden projects, maintenance, and programs.

UD Botanic Gardens Endowment

Contribute to our endowment to ensure the long-term viability, growth, and service, of the gardens as a living collection and teaching landscape for UD students, faculty, researchers, and the public.

Student Programs

Students and interns help maintain and develop the gardens, gaining practical experience and training that compliments classroom learning.

Gift in Memory or Honor

Give a gift to honor someone or celebrate a major life event.

Patrons of the Annual Spring Benefit Plant Sale

Individuals who contribute to the $200 and above to any of the funds listed above will have the first opportunity to shop our sale selection and are invited to attend a special opening reception at the sale.