Fernwood is a private, not-for-profit institution. We receive no government funds, so contributions are necessary for our operation and development. About 2,500 members and friends help make Fernwood the special place that it is, through their donations of money and service.

The Internal Revenue Service recognizes Fernwood as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Membership dues and contributions are tax-deductible to the donor.

Thank you for supporting Fernwood!

Memberships

Membership dues provide about 15% of Fernwood’s operating income. Dues are tax-deductible to the member and offer the following benefits:

		Free admission all year round (some events require an additional fee)
		A 10% discount in the Gift Shop
		Discounts for classes, programs, and rentals
		10% off weddings and facilities rentals
		Opportunities to travel to many interesting places in the United States and abroad
		A subscription to Fernwood’s quarterly newsletter
		Check-out privileges in the library
		Special members-only hours
		Reciprocal privileges at 240 botanical gardens and more than 150 nature centers in the United States & Canada

Joining is easy. Click here for a PDF Membership Application. Print this form, fill in your information, and return by mail. Or, to enroll by phone, call us at 269.695.6491. Please have your credit card ready.

Annual Giving

Hundreds of members and friends make annual contributions to Fernwood. Local companies participate in our Business Appeal, which supports our Environmental Studies Program for local school children. Those who choose to contribute annually receive reminders from Fernwood at the appropriate time.

Fernwood Garden Appeal

The 2010 Fernwood Garden Appeal will benefit the Herb and Sensory Garden surrounding the Dovecote and the railway garden. Containing more than 200 kinds of herbs with a trail for the five senses, the Herb and Sensory Garden is a popular location for weddings. All benches, bluestone steps, and the path will be replaced or repaired. In addition, the appeal will help to purchase new buildings for the Paul Busse-designed railway garden, including replicas of the University of Notre Dame’s Golden Dome and the St. Joseph Lighthouse. The appeal also will help to landscape and staff the railway garden. For more details, call Executive Director Carol Line. Donate here. Thank you for your support.

Memorials

If you would like to provide a memorial at Fernwood in honor of a family member or friend, please contact the Executive Director at 269.695.6491 ext. 210 or click here to send an e-mail message. We do not offer a list of memorial opportunities because every circumstance is different, and we work individually with each family to find the right memorial for them. Some examples of items that families have chosen include trails, gardens, benches, foot bridges, garden structures, and books for the library.

Sponsorships

There are many opportunities to sponsor activities and programs at Fernwood, including visits by school children, outdoor concerts, symposia, lectures, exhibits, interpretive signs and brochures, special events, and publications such as the Fernwood newsletter. All sponsors receive appropriate recognition for their contributions. For more information, contact the Executive Director at 269.695.6491 ext. 210 or click here to send an e-mail message.

Birdathon

The biggest fundraiser in support of Fernwood's Environmental Studies Program (ESP), the Berrien County Birdathon, involves teams spending over 15 hours in the field trying to identify as many bird species as possible. In 2009, we identified 129 bird types and raised over $4000! The 2010 Birdathon takes place on Saturday, May 15. Please make a donation to the Birdathon today by calling naturalist Wendy Jones or by mailing your pledge to Fernwood. Thank you for putting nature-inspired smiles on the faces of 5000 children!

Recognition of Financial Support

Contributions are recognized annually beginning with the Century Club. All tax-deductible cash contributions are totalled to arrive at the appropriate level of support.

In-Kind Gifts

Fernwood welcomes gifts of goods and services. Donated items for our annual auction are especially appreciated. If you have an item or service you would like to share, please call us at 269.695.6491. For gift in-kind suggestions, please see our wish list, or contact Fernwood's Executive Director, Carol Line, to discuss other funding opportunities.

Planned Giving

You can help ensure a sound future for Fernwood by arranging a gift that will come to us at a later date. There are many ways to contribute, including bequests, life insurance, charitable remainder and annuity trusts, and savings bonds. Planned gifts are used as the donor requests, or if undesignated, are used where needed most. We especially encourage gifts to our endowment, as these benefit Fernwood perpetually.

If you have arranged a future gift for Fernwood, or are considering doing so, please contact us, or click here to send an e-mail message. While we cannot replace your attorney or accountant, we can help you in your planning.

Fernwood has established the Kay Boydston Society to honor and encourage planned gifts. Anyone who has planned a gift is automatically a member. Members meet annually at Fernwood and receive updates by mail.

Community Foundations

Supporters have established endowments at two local foundations to benefit education at Fernwood. Michigan residents who contribute to these funds are eligible for a state tax credit as well as a federal income tax deduction. For more information, contact the foundations as follows:

Berrien Community Foundation, 2900 South State St. Suite 2 East, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Phone 269.983.3304 or visit their website http://www.berriencommunity.org/.

Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, 111 Days Ave., Buchanan, MI 49107. Phone 269.695.3521, or visit their website at http://www.mgcf.org.

Volunteering

Thank you, volunteers, for all you do for Fernwood every day! Volunteers are a vital part of the Fernwood team. More than 250 people volunteer each year, contributing thousands of hours of service. If you are not currently a Fernwood volunteer, call us and we will gladly welcome your talent and time. Following are some of the many ways people assist us in fulfilling our mission:

		Share their love of nature with school children
		Help the gardens grow
		Assist in the café
		Greet visitors at the Reception Desk
		Monitor the Railway Garden
		Monitor houses on our bluebird trail
		Help prepare for and assist during Holiday Events
		Serve on the Board of Directors
		Prepare our newsletter and other items for mailing
		Remove invasive plants from the prairie and preserve	Railway Garden volunteer Ned Ruetz
		Fund development
		Assist with special events
		Write grants
		Maintain trails
		Remove invasive species from the preserve
		Enter computer data and do internet research
		Park cars and monitor trails during special events

If you would like to join our volunteer staff, please click here to send an e-mail message, give us a call, or stop in!