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Contributions and Membership
Brooklyn Botanic Garden is grateful to the thousands of individuals and hundreds of foundations, corporations, and government agencies whose generous support enables BBG to thrive and advance in its mission—bringing the beauty of nature, the enrichment of environmental education, and the advancement of scientific research to New York City and the world.
This year, more than 16,000 members worldwide enjoyed the benefits of membership and provided over $1 million in critical operating support; 80 percent renewed their support from the previous year. The Garden, in turn, hosted a number of special events to thank members for their commitment. Nearly 6,000 visitors enjoyed Members' Summer Evenings and Sunset Picnics from late May through early September; and hundreds of members enjoyed the Garden Gift Shop's Members' Double Discount Days in December. On Forsythia Day, in April, nearly 900 members came to the Garden to receive the gift of a Forsythia × intermedia 'Goldilocks'. And at the Members' Plant Sale Preview, in early May, 1,400 members got their pick of the best specimens at the increasingly popular annual plant sale, which is organized by the BBG Auxiliary to raise funds to support the Garden's collections and programs.
BBG's Gager Society recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution toward the annual operating needs of the Garden. President Scot Medbury and the Board of Trustees offered special thanks at the annual Gager Society Dinner in May, which was attended by more than 200 supporters. Ambassador Motoatsu Sakurai and other representatives from the Japanese Consulate in New York attended the dinner and presented BBG with a certificate of commendation in recognition of the Garden's distinguished service in contributing to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and the United States. In order to introduce society members to horticultural gems throughout the region, the Garden also hosted a spring Gager Society Trip to the private garden of Fred Rich in Garrison, New York. This was followed by a tour of nearby Stonecrop, originally the home of Anne and Frank Cabot and transformed into a public garden in 1992 under the direction of Caroline Burgess.
This year’s Family Party, "Garden of the Pharaohs," transformed BBG into ancient Egypt for a night.
The Garden gratefully acknowledges the members of the Forsythia Society, more than 100 generous individuals who have included BBG in their will or estate plans. Members and guests of the society came to the Garden for special receptions in the spring and fall, which included private tours of the rare book and Herbarium collections. Throughout the year, BBG celebrated a variety of exciting events with donors and members, including an opening reception for the Florilegium Society's exhibition Portraits of a Garden III, special presentations by photographer Josie Iselin, a private reception of the Flowers exhibition at the Salander O'Reilly Gallery in Manhattan, and various special tours of BBG's collections of bonsai and South African bulbs, Native Flora garden, and cherry blossoms at peak bloom.
Friends of the Garden helped raise nearly $600,000 through four special fund-raising events over the past year. In March, more than 500 guests attended BBG's Garden & Antiques Show Preview Party, held at the 67th Regiment Armory, near Gramercy Park in Manhattan. They enjoyed cocktails and received first access to a wide range of exhibitors selling antique garden furniture, exceptional plants, and other garden elements. The ninth annual Family Party, "Garden of the Pharaohs," transformed BBG into a lush tropical oasis in May. Co-chairs David Berger and Laurel Shoemaker welcomed 800 parents and children to an adventure-filled evening with extravagant crafts, interactive games, and entertaining activities inspired by the tales and treasures of ancient Egypt.
The Spring Gala in June, co-chaired by Constance Casey and Wendy-Ann Olivier, welcomed nearly 400 guests for cocktails in the Cranford Rose Garden and dinner in the Palm House. It included the presentation of BBG's Better Earth Award to Will Rogers, president and CEO of the Trust for Public Land, for his tireless work to conserve land for people to enjoy as parks, playgrounds, community gardens, farms, historic places, and wilderness. The New Leaders Circle, also in June, brought together 300 young professionals for "Passport to Summer—A Picnic Under the Stars." Sunset cocktails were followed by a gourmet picnic supper, then dancing under the stars.