Tribute and Memorial Gifts
Choose the tribute space that’s right for you.
Name a Tree
$2,500
Choose to celebrate or remember a friend or loved one by dedicating a tree in one of many collections at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Single or collective tribute donations in honor of a person or event that equal $2,500 or more will receive a designated tree along with a commemorative tree tag for a period of 20 years. Tribute tree options are pre-determined and include only trees that are already planted and established on our sites to ensure the longevity and good health of the tree while also fitting to our long-term landscape design. A picture and description of the tribute tree will be available on our Tribute Tracker in perpetuity.
Name a Bench
$5,000 +
Benches allow visitors to rest and enjoy scenic views at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Name a bench in honor of a friend or loved one to ensure that others can appreciate the Arb and Gardens as much as you do. Single or collective tribute donations that equal the donation amount or more will receive a bench along with a commemorative plaque for a period of 10 years. Tribute bench locations are pre-determined to fit our long-term landscape design. A picture and description of the tribute bench will be available on our Tribute Tracker in perpetuity.
Bench at Matthaei Botanical Gardens – $5,000
Bench at Nichols Arboretum – $7,500
Tribute Process
- Step 1: Browse available tributes using the Find an Available Bench or Picnic Table and Find an Available Tree or Plant maps.
- Step 2: Once you have located a bench, space, or tree that you like, contact mbgna-tributes@umich.edu or 734.615.9475 with the tribute title listed on the pop-up window (E.g. Available Bench #4 – River Landing).
- Step 3: Complete the details of a gift agreement including the tribute/honoree name, funding methods, plaque inscription.
- Step 4: Finalize gift agreement with electronic signatures
- Step 5: Our team will install the plaque on the tree or bench, which will also be replaced or refurbished depending on the state
- Step 6: You will be sent a photo of the tribute and tribute plaque once everything is installed and our tribute tracker will be updated
Memorial Gifts
We can help you set up a direct giving link, where folks can make a gift in memory of or in honor of your loved one. Links will remain active for 3 months, and we can provide a listing of all donations to the link.
Contact us at mbgna-tributes@umich.edu to request a shareable giving link.
Memorial Giving Links
Memorial Services/Events
Although Matthaei-Nichols staff do not plan memorial events, we have hosted several celebration of life and memorial services in our rental spaces.
Please visit the rental information area of our website for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a character limit for the bench plaque or tree tag?
There is no character limit, but there is a a line limit of 3 additional lines for a tree tag and 2 lines for a bench plaque. We will work with you to see what is feasible to fit the dimensions.
What would the tribute tree tag and bench plaque look like?
Some text describing what information will be on the tag from the person. Please see the examples below.
Contact us!
We are always happy to answer any questions you might have.
Please contact us with any questions at mbgna-tributes@umich.edu or call 734.615.9475.
Sample Tree Tag
Sample Bench Tag
