Your support means everything.

Help support the gardens and arboretum with a membership and receive discounts and exclusive benefits depending on your level of support.

How Membership Works

Thank you for your interest in our membership program. By joining our membership program you become part of nearly 3,000 members dedicated to caring for nature and enriching their own life.

Annual membership gifts are crucial for funding projects and initiatives that are not supported by grants or the University of Michigan. These gifts are considered to be unrestricted dollars that help us each year with the following:

  • New plantings for our various garden spaces
  • Exhibits and events
  • Natural areas rehabilitation
  • Summer interns
  • And so much more!

Online giving to join or renew your membership is highly recommended for efficient turn-around time and is easy and secure for you as well. Please see the link above for online options to join, renew, or give today.

Update: We are making every effort possible to expedite membership processing, but please understand some delays are currently out of our control. Want to learn more about the process and time frame for receiving membership cards and the like, after you apply or renew? Check out this helpful membership timeline infographic (PDF). Also, at this time we are sending both digital and paper cards to all members.

All Memberships

Free Parking

Use the unique number on your membership card at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens parking kiosks and receive free unlimited parking when visiting or attending events. If issued a temporary card upon on-site renewal, this code is good for one month until you receive your permanent card.

Exclusive Member Events and Pre-Sales

Be invited to member only events and pre-sales like the Mother’s Day Plant Sale, Kitchen Favorites Sale, Peony Sale, Native Plant Sale, and more! Be the first to access tickets for Shakespeare in the Arb.

Special Friend Discounts
  • 10% discount at the Garden Store
  • 10% discount at annual plant sales (or online early access)
  • 20% discount at annual plant sales (excluding Peony Sale) during member hours (or online early access)
  • 10% discount on gift memberships
  • $5 discount on Shakespeare in the Arb tickets for adult members
  • Discounts on other event registrations throughout the year
  • 10% discount at Old House Gardens Heirloom Bulbs of Ann Arbor
Member Benefits at Gardens Nationwide

Matthaei-Nichols participates in the American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP). RAP offers free admission and/or additional benefits at 300 gardens throughout North America and the Cayman Islands.

Download the current full list of participating organizations in the Reciprocal Admissions Program or visit the American Horticulture Society website for more information. Please email the Matthaei-Nichols membership coordinator with any questions.

*Benefits vary. Please contact the organization you plan to visit to become aware of the available benefits and admission requirements.

E-News Subscription and Member Guides

Learn about news, events, and classes happening for members only and other exciting announcements!

Tax-deduction

Your membership gift is a tax-deductible donation to the University of Michigan. A confirmation letter from the University of Michigan Office of Development will be sent to you within a month of your gift.

Additional Benefits

Family Tree Members & Above
  • Youth and Family Activity Passes: Family Tree level members and above receive free passes to our Saturday Youth and Family classes. Programs run throughout the year and vary by season. Pre-registration is required. Details will be posted when classes are announced.
Sustaining Members & Above
  • Exclusive Curator’s Tour Invitation: Join us for a reception, tour, and presentation on special projects and research at Matthaei-Nichols.
  • Member Benefits at Cultural Museums and Museums Nationwide: ROAM where you want to! Matthaei-Nichols participates in the Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM).  Use your Matthaei-Nichols membership to receive benefits at cultural centers and museums throughout the country. Visit the ROAM website for a full list of participating organizations. *Benefits vary. Please contact the organization you plan to visit to become aware of the available benefits.
Director’s Circle Members Only
  • Director’s Circle Event: Get a behind-the-scenes look at our current and future projects at Matthaei-Nichols during an annual reception and presentation with our Director. Past events have included lectures, dinners, brunches, and outdoor receptions.

Annual Membership

Your membership is good for one year. Only adult names are listed on the membership card(s). For couple level and above, up to two adults can be listed on the membership cards that reside within the same household. Reciprocal benefits via the RAP and ROAM programs are only valid for the names listed on the card.

  • $10      Student  (students must present valid student id)
  • $45      Individual
  • $55      Couple
  • $75      Family Tree
  • $100    Sustaining
  • $250    Sponsor
  • $500    Benefactor
  • $1,000  Director’s Circle
Volunteer Discounts

Our volunteers allow us to continue to fulfill our mission through the many hours of work they perform throughout the year. In thanks for their commitment, we offer a volunteer membership rate. Discounts will be honored for active volunteers only and will be checked by staff upon joining or renewal.Learn about how to become a volunteer.

  • $25      Volunteer Individual
  • $50      Volunteer Couple
Are you a volunteer and need to renew?

Please visit the front desk to renew in person or contact the Membership Manager at [email protected] for additional options.

Make your membership renewal process easier by breaking your membership donation into easy monthly installments through an electronic fund transfer (EFT) or UM Staff Payroll Deduction. The monthly giving plan helps Matthaei-Nichols save valuable resources that would otherwise go into printing and mailing renewal letters.

Set up a recurring gift by downloading the authorization form at UM Leaders and Best Giving Website, filling it out, and mailing it to the Gifts and Records address on the form. University of Michigan Staff and Faculty may set up an easy payroll deduction on Wolverine Access. Find payroll deduction instructions here or use the mail-in form.

Membership Processing Timeline
Brochure & Mail-in Join/Renewal Form
Other Resources