Membership and giving
Support the Arboretum
Every plant, bench, structure and plant label in the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden exists thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Your gift ensures this beautiful, living collection continues to thrive for generations to come.
Whether you're making an annual donation or contributing to an endowment, your tax-deductible gift supports plant care, infrastructure, education and seasonal programming at the Arboretum.
Ways to give
Annual membership
Your annual gift makes you a member of Arboretum Associates, the volunteer fundraising group that helps care for and grow the Arboretum. Members receive the ArborNotes newsletter and are invited to events during the year.
Membership levels
- Active: $20–$49
- Sustaining: $50–$99
- Donor: $100–$249
- Patron: $250–$499
- Sponsor: $500–$999
- Life Associate: $1,000+
Endowment gifts
Endowment gifts provide long-term, sustainable support for the Arboretum. The principal of each endowment remains invested, with the annual income used to support projects, maintenance and programming as designated by the donor.
Donors can contribute to existing endowments or establish a new named endowment with a minimum gift of $25,000.
Current Arboretum endowments
- Arboretum Associates Centennial Endowment
- Norma and Gene Slade Arboretum Endowment
- Elisabeth Zinser and Don Mackin Arboretum Endowment
- Presidential Oak Grove Endowment
- Bob Steele Family Arboretum Endowment
Give online
To make a secure gift online, please enter Arboretum Associates in the field asking for fund designation.
Arboretum Associates
Arboretum Associates is a dedicated group of volunteers and donors who support the care and development of the Arboretum. In addition to their generous contributions, they help host community events and promote awareness of the Arboretum’s educational and environmental value. The group is led by a volunteer board and holds an open general membership meeting each spring.
Review the Arboretum Associates constitution and bylaws
What we do
- Organize the annual spring plant sale
- Host a summer acoustic concert, featuring local musicians and U of I students
- Fund plant collections, structural additions and irrigation improvements
- Publish ArborNotes, the Arboretum newsletter
- Make strategic decisions for the Arboretum
Volunteer board members
- Erik Anderson, President
- Kai Battenberg, Vice President
- Madyson Cessnun, Secretary
- Nancy Zabriskie, Treasurer
- Kali Armitage, Member at large
- Yvonne Barkley, Member at large
- Harriet Hughes, Member at large
- Becky Phillips, Member at large
- Kris Roby, Member at large
- Nancy Sprague, Member at large