General Membership

My membership information is incorrect, who do I contact to get it fixed?

We are sorry to hear that, we are happy to fix that for you. Please email [email protected] and provide the full name(s) of members, membership ID number, and email address registered to the membership, and what information needs to be corrected.

I want to give someone a gift membership. How can I do that? 

What a great gift! Please visit the Michigan Giving site to purchase the membership. In the comments section of the checkout, put the recipient's name, address, and email. Due to the nature of our membership processing, they will receive a digital member card before they receive their paper member card with a letter saying who the gift membership was from. If there are any special requests, please email us at [email protected] when you purchase the gift to further discuss options.

Alternatively, you can visit our front desk during open hours and fill out a membership form. Please note, however, that this will prolong processing time as it first needs to be sent to another University of Michigan department and imputed electronically before being processed as a gift.

How do I get free parking at Matthaei Botanical Gardens with my membership?

Our members park for free using their parking decal. Helpful information about that process can be found here. 

I would like to pay via check. Who should the check be addressed to?

Please address the checks to the University of Michigan. In the Memo/For section of the check, please put the fund you would like it to go to. If you prefer, you could also write a letter that accompanies the check specifying its purpose. The check can be sent to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N. Dixboro Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105).

We have some extra plants that we no longer need and would like to donate. Can you take them?

Unfortunately, we do not accept any plants.

I am a member but would like to be more involved and be a volunteer. How can I do this?

 That is amazing! Please visit our website page specific for volunteers here for more information. 

How do I get a volunteer discount on my membership?

If you are an active volunteer at MBGNA, please contact the Volunteer Manager to discuss the options for a volunteer discount on individual and dual/couple memberships (new and renewals).

I would like to do recurring monthly payments for my membership instead of one payment. How can I do this?

When you are in the “Configure Your Gift” section, under “Payment Method”, select “Monthly Credit Card”. It will show you your monthly gift total and the estimated annual contribution.

 

Member Benefits

Can I have someone who does not live in my household as the other member on my account?

Unfortunately, our policy only allows for up to two adults living in the same household to be members for our Couple/Dual, Family Tree/Household, Donor Circle and Director’s Circle memberships.

Who is included in the Family Tree/Household membership? 

This membership is for two adults and any children living within the same household. You will only receive two cards for the two adults on the membership.

I am a grandparent and would like to use the Family Tree/Household membership to take my grandchildren to MBGNA family events. Is this possible? 

Yes, you can use your membership to bring your grandchildren to MBGNA. However, if you visit a RAP garden or ROAM organization, check with them for specific benefits. 

What are the specific discounts we get as members?

10% discount at the gift shop at Matthaei Botanical Garden 

10% discount at annual plant sales (and/or early access)

10% discount on gift memberships

10% discount at Old House Gardens Heirloom Bulbs of Ann Arbor

There may be other special discounts on other event registrations throughout the year

What is the list of gardens nationwide we can go to?

American Horticultural Society (AHS) Reciprocal Garden Network list can be found here: https://ahsgardening.org/gardening-programs/rap/ 

What is the list of cultural centers and museums we have access to if we are Sustaining level members and above?

Reciprocal Organization of Associated Museums (ROAM) whose list can be found here: https://sites.google.com/site/roammuseums/home/about-roam

I’m seeing some different membership level names. What has changed?

Good catch! We have changed some of our member level names to be more inclusive and reflective of our current program: 

Couple → Dual

Family Tree → Household

Sustaining, Sponsor and Benefactor members are all part of the Donor Circle (there are still three separate tiers but all under the Donor Circle umbrella)

We will slowly be transitioning all our online and printed materials to reflect these changes over the next couple of months. Please email us at [email protected] if you have any specific questions.

I made a gift and received a card with a different member level. What does this mean? 

If your additional gift qualifies you for a new membership level, we upgrade you to this level for the remainder of your membership. We do this even if the gift is made to another MBGNA fund. 

My gift was meant to be a membership renewal but I got upgraded to a different level. How do I change this? 

We are sorry your gift was not processed as you intended. Sometimes it can be hard for us to tell if your gift is a membership renewal or an additional gift. Our current policy is that if the gift is within a 3 month period before the membership expiration, it is considered a renewal. If it is outside this 3 month period, we consider it an additional gift. Please email us at [email protected] and we will happily make this change for you. 

To avoid any future confusion, in the comments section of the checkout, please put that the gift is a membership renewal.

 

Membership Cards

I don’t have a smartphone. How can I get a printed membership card?

Yes, we have a request form for that here. Please email us at [email protected] if you have any specific questions.

I have not received my membership card/number. Has my membership payment gone through?

We make every effort possible to expedite membership processing, but please understand some delays are currently out of our control. Check out the helpful membership timeline infographic at the end of this document to understand the process and time frame for receiving membership cards after you apply or renew.

Please direct questions regarding the status or stage of your payment to U-M Online Giving, 1-888-518-7888, or [email protected].

Digital Member Cards

What is the digital membership program?

The Matthaei-Nichols digital membership program stores all of your membership information in one place on your iPhone or Android phone’s wallet app. This includes your name, membership number, level, expiration date, explanation of benefits, and contact info if you have questions.

How do I add the membership card to my iPhone?

Access the email from Cuseum on your smartphone and click the “Download” button, then click “Add to Wallet” and “Add.” The card will automatically go to your iPhone’s Apple Wallet. It can be accessed in Wallet at any time. No additional apps.

How do I add the membership card to my Android phone?

Android users need to download Wallet Passes from Google Play. After you have the app, access the email from Cuseum from your smartphone and click “Download” in the membership email, and the card will automatically go to your Wallet Passes app, where it can be accessed at any time.

Where can I use the digital card?

Just like the paper card, you can use your digital membership card to receive discounts at Matthaei-Nichols plants sales entrance to special member events, and special pricing or free admission to botanical gardens and museums across the U.S. See back of your digital card for explanation of participating garden/museum benefits by clicking on the three dots on the top right corner of your card. This will show a menu of options, select Pass Details.

I didn’t receive my digital membership card in my email, how do I get one?

Digital membership cards can take 7-10 business days to arrive to your email but may take longer if gift processing is high at the University of Michigan. Check out this helpful membership timeline infographic (PDF) to understand about the process and time frame for receiving membership cards after you apply or renew.

Unfortunately, sometimes the cards go to the spam/junk folder so be sure to check there first. If you, or a qualifying member in your household, still did not receive your card, please email us at [email protected]. Please provide your membership ID number, full name of members, and email address so we are able to look into the issue further.

My family member is on this membership account also, how can she/he receive the card?

If your family member would like a card, please email [email protected] to update us with their name and email address to generate a digital card for them. 

I downloaded my card but I can’t find it. What should I do?

If you have an iPhone, the card will automatically download to Apple Wallet. Check the app for your new card (scroll through any cards that are already there–it may be hiding!). 

If you have an Android, you’ll need to download Wallet Passes from the Play Store prior to downloading the card.

Still have questions about your digital membership card and or need further troubleshooting?

Please check Cuseum’s (our digital membership card provider) FAQs here. 

Also, feel free to email us [email protected] and we will work with you to make the digital card process as seamless as possible.