Fundraising for students

The University of Michigan has embarked on a high-profile fundraising campaign, notable for its intensive goals to financially help students.

Connecting the university and nature

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum enrich and, in many ways, complete the university. These unique properties—800 acres in all—are transformative places where students, faculty and members of the community can connect with and learn from nature.

New areas for research

Our land and water ecosystems—home to approximately 20 percent of Michigan’s native flora and to several key endangered plant and wildlife species—are rich in unrealized research and teaching opportunities.

Funding

Campaign funding will secure student internships and faculty research, improve aging facilities, and conserve the ecological health, biodiversity, and beauty of our properties. We aim to raise far more than ever in our history: $7 million

Planned Giving

Planned Giving allows you to leave a lasting legacy to a well-loved place while helping you meet your personal, financial, and estate planning goals.

Bequests & Estate Plan Gifts

A charitable bequest is one of the easiest ways you can leave a lasting impact on University of Michigan. You designate Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum as the beneficiary of your asset by will, trust, or beneficiary designation form.

IRA Rollover

Congress has enacted a permanent IRA charitable rollover. As a result you can make an IRA rollover gift this year and in future years.
Beneficiary designation gifts. You can designate us as a beneficiary of a retirement, investment, or bank account, or your life insurance policy.

Charitable Gift Annuities

You transfer your cash or appreciated property to our organization in exchange for our promise to pay you fixed payments (with rates based on your age) for the rest of your life.

Charitable Remainder Unitrusts

You transfer your cash or appreciated property to fund a charitable remainder unitrust. The trust sells your property tax free and provides you with income for life or a term of years.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust

You transfer your cash or appreciated property to fund a charitable remainder annuity trust. The trust sells your property tax free and provides you with fixed income for life or a term of years.

Charitable Lead Trusts

You fund a trust that makes gifts to us for a number of years. Your family receives the trust remainder at substantial tax savings.

Learn about planned giving ›

Endowments

Endowment funds are invested for the long-term. We have dozens of endowment funds at Matthaei-Nichols.

Designated purposes

You can designate the purpose of your endowment, and the earnings will grow to fund your philanthropic priorities—forever. You can create a new fund to support an area important to you, or you can make a gift to one of our existing endowment funds to help support one of our many gardens, trails, natural areas, and enrichment programs.

Victors for Nature

The university sponsors a high-profile fundraising campaign for its intensive goals to financially help students.

Learn more ›

Campaign Areas

Internships

Undergraduates and graduate students gain critical hands-on career experience in fields relating to environmental stewardship, design, and interpretation of gardens and natural areas.

Help support future stewards ›

Gardens & Collections

Help protect our living collections and natural settings including, the Peony Garden, Gaffield Children’s Garden, Great Lakes Gardens, and Bonsai & Penjing Garden.

Help protect these special places ›

Nature Education

Your unrestricted gift responds to our highest priorities over time and underwites investments in innovative ideas. You can also creating a new fund in support of various giving priorities.

Help build a better future ›

Campus Farm

The Campus Farm is an educational center that allows students to gain hands-on experience in food production, at the center of activity and innovation.

Help us develop sustainable farming ›

Field Studies & Research

Our properties offer the unique opportunity for research and scholarship for students and faculty.

Help us discover nature's many roles ›

Second Century Fund

Matthaei-Nichols is over 100 years old. This fund replenishes collections, allows replacements for dying trees, and supports crucial ongoing maintenance.

Help support stewardship  ›

Endowments

Endowments are investments that earn over time, providing lasting annual support to giving priorities. You can support an existing endowment fund or create a new fund for your priorities.

Learn More ›