Marin Art and Garden Center invites you to become a Friend of the Garden. By becoming a Friend, you not only support this amazing Garden, you also get lots of great benefits. Starting at the $100 level, supporters can enjoy 10% off select programs, including our popular Summer Concert Series. Your donation to our non-profit is tax deductible.

Any gift of up to $100 entitles you to a Friends of the Garden Car Magnet, plus quarterly newsletters with garden updates and event schedules. 

Click on any of the squares below to see the full list of benefits for that level.

Marin Art and Garden Center is an independent non-profit organization. We receive no support from city, county or state taxes.  Your friendship will help us to maintain our 11 acres of gardens, historic buildings and educational programming and keep our doors open from sunrise to sunset 365 days a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m a Friend of the Garden, how do I get my exclusive items?

Visit our main office to pick up your eligible swag: car magnet, hat, water bottle, tote bag, and/or picnic blanket. Our office is open on weekdays from 9am-5pm.

How do I redeem discounts for programs & events?

To redeem your Friends of the Garden discount, navigate to the registration page of the desired program.  See our Calendar page for an at-a-glance view of upcoming events. Once on the registration page, click the red Sign Up button. After, you will be prompted to login to your account. Once logged in, the program’s ticket price will automatically be displayed as the discounted Friends of the Garden price.

How long do memberships last?

Your membership begins on the date of your most recent donation to Friends of the Garden and is active for one year. You will receive an email offering to renew your membership one month before your membership end date.

Is there an eMembership card for Friends of the Garden?

Friends of the Garden membership cards are currently available only as a digital e-card through the Membership Anywhere app.

To download the Membership Anywhere app, select your desired device below to navigate to the Apple or Google Play app store:

Once the app is downloaded to your device, follow these steps to login to your Friends of the Garden account:

  1. Click to open the Membership Anywhere app.
  2. Type “Marin Art and Garden Center” into the search bar. Click on the corresponding result with our logo to continue.
  3. Then, enter your email associated with your Friends of the Garden membership and last name and click Find.
  4. On the next screen, click Download my cards.
  5. If you’re an Apple iPhone user, you can tap “Add to Wallet” at the top of this screen for easy access.

Navigating in the Membership Anywhere App

  • Show My Membership Cards
  • Card View: This page of the app displays your name, membership number, level, and membership expiration date, and barcode image to be used by participating gardens within the reciprocal American Horticultural Society network. Friends of the Garden memberships of all levels last one year with the option to renew at any time before the end date.
  • Simple View: Use this page to view your membership number, level, expiration date, and barcode image.
  • Add To Wallet: If you are an Apple iPhone user, there is also an option to add your digital e-card to your Apple Wallet for quick and easy access.
  • Membership Benefits
  • My Membership Benefits: This page shows you the benefits you’re eligible for at your membership level.
  • See All: This page shows you all Friends of the Garden membership levels and their corresponding benefits. Consider matching your donation (link to corporate matching question) to maximize your benefits and impact.
  • Reciprocal Benefits: This page will direct you to the American Horticultural Society’s website where you can browse the entire network of participating gardens.
How do I access my American Horticultural Society reciprocal benefits?

At the $100 level and above, Friends of the Garden receive special admission benefits to gardens in the American Horticulture Society network.  This network includes 360+ gardens nationwide, including San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers, Botanical Garden, and Japanese Tea Garden. To see a map of all participating gardens across the country, click here.

To access your AHS benefits, simply show your membership e-card at one of the participating gardens.

Download the Membership Anywhere app to view and access your digital e-card. See above for instructions on downloading your Friends of the Garden digital e-card.”

Learn more about other ways to give here. 

We are grateful for support of all kinds. See below for more ways to get involved and help the Garden thrive!

Edible Garden

Each year we bring our closest friends together to share a feast at our signature event, Edible Garden—A Culinary Fundraiser. All are welcome to support the Garden through this delicious event celebrating the bounty of our local community.

Sponsorship & Underwriting

Summer Concerts, Edible Garden and Winter Wonderland bring together music, art and garden lovers of all ages. Supporting these events through sponsorship or underwriting allows us to keep these events accessible to the entire community.

Legacy Giving

For those who want their love of the Garden, or that of a family member, to live on, consider making a legacy donation. A beloved resource for the Marin community for nearly 80 years, the Center has a long history of support from generous bequests and legacy donations.

Commemorative Benches & Bricks

Honor those you love and support the Garden by gifting one of our newly designed commemorative benches or bricks, a unique and enduring gift that celebrates your time in the Garden.

Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to support the Gardens. become a Friend of the Garden. We welcome Friends of all ages and various skills to help contribute through our garden work parties, special events and other programs.

Capital Campaign

Phase One of our Master Plan, called "Sowing the Seeds" has been submitted to the Town of Ross. Visit our "Sowing the Seeds" page for the latest progress on this project and to learn how you can support the future of Marin Art and Garden.

Edible Garden

Each year we bring our closest friends together to share a feast at our signature event, Edible Garden—A Culinary Fundraiser. All are welcome to support the Garden through this delicious event celebrating the bounty of our local community.

Sponsorship & Underwriting

Summer Concerts, Edible Garden and Winter Wonderland bring together music, art and garden lovers of all ages. Supporting these events through sponsorship or underwriting allows us to keep these events accessible to the entire community.

Legacy Giving

For those who want their love of the Garden, or that of a family member, to live on, consider making a legacy donation. A beloved resource for the Marin community for nearly 80 years, the Center has a long history of support from generous bequests and legacy donations.

Commemorative Benches & Bricks

Honor those you love and support the Garden by gifting one of our newly designed commemorative benches and bricks, a unique and enduring gift that celebrates your time in the Garden.

Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to support the Garden. We welcome Friends of all ages and various skills to help contribute through our monthly garden work parties, special events and other programs.

Capital Campaign

Phase One of our Master Plan, called "Sowing the Seeds" has been submitted to the Town of Ross. Visit our "Sowing the Seeds" page for the latest progress on this project and to learn how you can support the future of Marin Art and Garden.

Become a Friend of the Garden at any level!

$100–$249

  • Friends of the Garden Gifts: Garden Tote Bag or Hat, Car Magnet
  • 10% Discount on Programs, Including Summer Concerts and Winter Wonderland
  • Access to American Horticultural Society Gardens
  • Quarterly Newsletters with Garden Updates and Event Schedules
  • Recognition in the Garden’s Impact Report

Become a Friend of the Garden at any level!

$250–$499

  • Friends of the Garden Gifts: Garden Tote Bag, Hat, Car Magnet
  • Two Tickets & Early Access to a Summer Concert
  • Discounted Rates on a Garden Photography Session
  • 10% Discount on Programs, Including Summer Concerts and Winter Wonderland
  • Access to American Horticultural Society Gardens
  • Quarterly Newsletters with Garden Updates and Event Schedules
  • Recognition in the Garden’s Impact Report

Become a Friend of the Garden at any level!

$500–$999

  • Friends of the Garden Gifts: Water Bottle, Garden Tote Bag, Hat, Car Magnet
  • Two Tickets & Early Access to a Summer Concert
  • Priority Access to Limited Capacity Events and Workshops
  • Special Pricing on Rental Fees for Private Events
  • VIP Art Show and Event Receptions
  • Discounted Rates on a Garden Photography Session
  • 10% Discount on Programs, Including Summer Concerts and Winter Wonderland
  • Access to American Horticultural Society Gardens
  • Quarterly Newsletters with Garden Updates and Event Schedules
  • Recognition in the Garden’s Impact Report

Become a Friend of the Garden at any level!

$1000–$2499

  • Friends of the Garden Gifts: Picnic Blanket, Water Bottle, Garden Tote Bag, Hat, Car Magnet
  • Two Tickets & Early Access to a Summer Concert
  • Private Garden Tour and Personal Consultation with Expert Garden Manager
  • Four Tickets and Early Access to a Summer Concert
  • Propagated Plant from our Garden
  • Priority Access to Edible Garden – Our Garden Culinary Fundraiser
  • Priority Access to Limited Capacity Events and Workshops
  • Special Friends Pricing on Rental Fees for Private Events
  • VIP Art Show and Event Receptions
  • Discounted Rates on a Garden Photography Session
  • 10% Discount on Programs, Including Summer Concerts and Winter Wonderland
  • Access to American Horticultural Society Gardens
  • Quarterly Newsletters with Garden Updates and Event Schedules
  • Recognition in the Garden’s Impact Report

Become a Friend of the Garden at any level!

$2500–$4999

  • Friends of the Garden Gifts: Picnic Blanket, 2 Water Bottles, Garden Tote Bag, Hat, Car Magnet
  • Four Tickets and Early Access to a Summer Concert
  • Private Picnic Area Reservation
  • Private Garden Tour and Personal Consultation with Expert Garden Manager
  • Propagated Plant from our Garden
  • Priority Access to Edible Garden – Our Garden Culinary Fundraiser
  • Priority Access to Limited Capacity Events and Workshops
  • Special Friends Pricing on Rental Fees for Private Events
  • VIP Art Show and Event Receptions
  • Discounted Rates on a Garden Photography Session
  • 10% Discount on Programs, Including Summer Concerts and Winter Wonderland
  • Access to American Horticultural Society Gardens
  • Quarterly Newsletters with Garden Updates and Event Schedules
  • Recognition in the Garden’s Impact Report

Become a Friend of the Garden at any level!

  • Friends of the Garden Gifts: 2 Picnic Blankets, 2 Water Bottles, Garden Tote Bag, Hat, Car Magnet
  • Six Tickets and Early Access to a Summer Concert
  • Private Picnic Area Reservation
  • Private Garden Tour and Personal Consultation with Expert Garden Manager
  • Two Additional (4 Total) Summer Concert Tickets
  • Propagated Plant from our Garden
  • Priority Access to Edible Garden – Our Garden Culinary Fundraiser
  • Priority Access to Limited Capacity Events and Workshops
  • Special Friends Pricing on Rental Fees for Private Events
  • VIP Art Show and Event Receptions
  • Discounted Rates on a Garden Photography Session
  • 10% Discount on Programs, Including Summer Concerts and Winter Wonderland
  • Access to American Horticultural Society Gardens
  • Quarterly Newsletters with Garden Updates and Event Schedules
  • Recognition in the Garden’s Impact Report

IRS Guidelines for Gifts from Donor Advised Funds to Support MAGC Events

Thank you for your interest in giving to the Marin Art & Garden Center events from your Donor Advised Fund (DAF) or Family Foundation.

We sincerely appreciate your generosity and support!

To ensure your gift follows the current IRS guidelines for DAF/Family Foundation support of an event, we would like to share the below guidelines with you.

  • Raffle tickets, tickets to galas and other special events, auction items, and benefits conferred in connection with a DAF/foundation grant are not permitted.
    • IRS has specifically ruled that fair market value associated with fundraising events cannot be separated, a practice known as “bifurcation.”
      • For example, with Edible Garden, if the price of the ticket is $200 and the FMV fair market value (non-tax-deductible amount) is designated to be $50, the donor must pay from sources other than her DAF/foundation for the full value of the ticket ($200) and not just for the non-tax-deductible amount ($50).
    • We recommend you confer with your financial advisor to confirm if any of these examples of how donors may still use their DAF to support an event would work for you:
      • A donor could sponsor the event, and not attend, and pay fully out of the DAF/foundation.
      • A donor could sponsor the event using DAF/foundation funds and attend by purchasing an individual ticket through non-DAF/foundation funds.
      • A donor could sponsor the event, join the event as a guest of another donor/table guest, and pay fully out of the DAF/foundation.
      • A donor could sponsor the event and host the afforded number of people at their chosen level as long as they pay for the seats at the lowest ticket price ($200 for Edible Garden) outside of their DAF.
        • As an example, a $1,500 sponsor that covers 2 guests, could pay for their sponsorship with $400 from a different source of funds, and then give an additional gift of $1,100 out of their DAF.

 

Please email Tod Thorpe, Director of Development at tod.thorpe@maringarden.org to discuss your gift to Marin Art and Garden Center