Wing Haven

What Wing Haven does

Wing Haven is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 56-1014180) that operates three public gardens in Charlotte, North Carolina: the original Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary founded in 1927 by Elizabeth and Edwin Clarkson, the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden acquired in 2008 in partnership with the Garden Conservancy, and the SEED Wildlife & Children's Garden. Across roughly 4 acres the organization preserves historic plant collections, including nearly 2,000 documented plant taxa and bulbs from 1955 still in cultivation, and maintains a wildlife sanctuary that has recorded over 150 bird species across its nearly 100-year history. The organization also safeguards Elizabeth Lawrence's research legacy, including 30 years of bloom journals and an estimated 15,000-20,000 digitized handwritten index cards documenting plants and horticultural observations.

Wing Haven serves multiple customer segments: individual garden visitors paying $10 admission, members with annual subscriptions, school and pre-K groups through educational programs including the free PEEPs preschool program, photographers booking sessions at $90-100/hour, corporate partners and event clients renting the Elizabeth 'Pepper' Dowd Education Building, and adult learners attending lectures, bird walks, and the biennial Fall Symposium. Its education portfolio includes Camp Wing Haven summer camp, Children's Tours, Budding Naturalists, Homeschool Explorer, Adult Tours, and the Imbibe & Inspire virtual garden tour series. The organization supplements physical visits with an online shop selling Elizabeth Lawrence's books, children's books, Wing Haven honey, plants, seasonal items, and recordings of past programming.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of admissions, memberships, photography and venue rentals, online shop sales, educational programming fees, donations from individuals, corporate partners, and grants from institutional funders including the City of Charlotte. The organization runs with 11-50 employees, operates Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is preparing to celebrate its centennial in 2027. Notable designations include listing on the National Register of Historic Places, Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens inclusion, Garden Conservancy Preservation Project status, and a Certified Schoolyard Habitat from the National Wildlife Federation.

Name

Wing Haven

Legal name

Wing Haven Foundation

Website

https://winghavengardens.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Wing Haven is a Charlotte, NC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating three historic public gardens totaling about 4 acres, serving individual visitors, schools, photographers, and corporate partners through admissions, memberships, educational programming, venue rentals, and donations ahead of its 2027 centennial.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Gardens & Environmental Education

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

akta.pro primary industry

National Park & Protected Area Tours (THAJAIAA)

Keywords

• Public gardens
• Botanical gardens
• Environmental education
• Bird sanctuary
• Horticultural preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Garden Admission & Memberships: Visitors pay admission fees to access the gardens. Memberships provide unlimited access, discounts on programming and shop purchases, and other benefits. Wing Haven is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
2. Online Shop Sales: Sale of books (primarily by Elizabeth Lawrence, priced $12-$30), children's books, Wing Haven Honey from the organization's bees, seasonal items like bows, recordings of Imbibe & Inspire and Lecture Series programs, and merchandise including Visitors Guides and gift certificates.
3. Photography Session Rentals: Professional photography bookings for bridal, engagement, family portraits, and other sessions at $100/hour (or $90/hour for members). Additional revenue from staff monitor fees for after-hours sessions.
4. Venue Rentals: Rental of venues including the Elizabeth 'Pepper' Dowd Education Building for private events, meetings, and celebrations.
5. Educational Programming: Fees for adult education programs including Lecture Series, Bird Walks, and the biennial Fall Symposium. Children's programs including camps and school group tours. PEEPs (Preschool Environmental Education Program) is offered at no cost to NC Pre-K and Meck Pre-K classrooms.
6. Donations & Grants: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals, corporate partners, and foundations. EIN 56-1014180. Supported by grants from City of Charlotte and other institutional funders.
7. Symposium Fundraising: Symposium Table Arrangement sales at $75 each with 100% of proceeds supporting Wing Haven outreach programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Wing Haven operates three historic and newer garden properties (Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary, Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden, and SEED Wildlife & Children's Garden) totaling approximately 4 acres in Charlotte, NC, providing public garden access, environmental and horticultural education, wildlife habitat preservation, and historic plant collection stewardship. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit generates revenue through admissions, memberships, an online shop (books, plants, honey, recordings), photography session rentals, venue rentals, and educational programming, supported by donations and grants.

Product overview

Wing Haven is a garden sanctuary organization offering access to three distinct historic and newer garden properties: Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary (nearly 100-year-old respite for birds with 150+ recorded species), Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden (a botanist's dream with nearly 2,000 plant taxa), and SEED Wildlife & Children's Garden (outdoor learning space). The organization provides educational programming including children's tours, PEEPs preschool program, Budding Naturalists, Homeschool Explorer, Adult Tours, Bird Walks, Lecture Series, and Imbibe & Inspire recordings. Additional offerings include an online shop with books (primarily Elizabeth Lawrence's writings), plants, seasonal items, photography session rentals, venue rentals, membership program, corporate partnerships, and Camp Wing Haven summer day camp. The portfolio functions as a unified set of garden-based educational and community experiences rather than a software platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary: The original Clarkson property serving as a respite for birds and wildlife
• Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden
• SEED Wildlife & Children's Garden
• The Warbler

Products and services

• Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary A nearly 100-year-old garden and bird sanctuary featuring curated gardens, woodland trails, and water features for public visits, documenting 150+ recorded bird species.
• Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden A historic garden property of internationally celebrated garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence, featuring nearly 2,000 taxa in documented living collections with something in bloom every day of the year.
• SEED Wildlife & Children's Garden An outdoor exploration and learning garden for children of all ages, providing hands-on approach to outdoor learning adjacent to Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary.
• Membership Program Annual membership program providing unlimited garden access, 10% discount on photography sessions and shop purchases, and other member benefits supporting garden maintenance and community reach.
• Camp Wing Haven Full-day naturalist summer day camp for rising 1st through rising 6th graders featuring adventure, learning, exploration, and outdoor activities, offered in multiple June and July sessions.
• PEEPs - Preschool Environmental Education Program Free preschool environmental education program using SEED Wildlife & Children's Garden and Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary, teaching nature topics through stories, activities, guided exploration, and themed snacks at no cost to NC Pre-K and Meck Pre-K classrooms.
• Children's Tour Experience Guided 90-minute tours of Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary providing overview of historical home and garden, birds, and wildlife habitat, designed for school groups and families.
• Budding Naturalists Program Educational experience for children and youth grades Pre-K through 12 combining facilitated programming with self-guided exploration in Wing Haven's gardens.
• Homeschool Explorer Program Homeschool families educational experience combining facilitated programming with self-guided exploration through monthly themed activities.
• Lecture Series Educational lecture series offered January through February covering topics such as birds, trees, and garden design.
• Adult Tours Guided tours of all three Wing Haven gardens offered Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• Bird Walks Guided bird observation walks offered on the second Monday, October through May.
• Fall Symposium Biennial fall educational symposium with expert speakers, workshops, and table arrangement sales supporting Wing Haven outreach programming.
• Photography Session Bookings Professional photography session rentals at $100/hour ($90/hour for members) for bridal portraiture, engagements, proposals, family portraits, maternity, and quinceañeras, with after-hours staff monitor option.
• Venue Rentals Rental of venues including the Elizabeth 'Pepper' Dowd Education Building for private events, meetings, and celebrations.
• Corporate Partners Program Corporate partnership opportunities for businesses to support Wing Haven through event and venue engagements.
• Online Shop E-commerce shop selling books by Elizabeth Lawrence and other authors, children's books, Wing Haven honey, seasonal items, Imbibe & Inspire and Lecture Series recordings, visitors guides, and gift certificates.
• Story Time & More Seasonal stories and crafts program held in the SEED Wildlife & Children's Garden.

Quantifiable outcome

• 150+ bird species documented in Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary's nearly 100-year history
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Garden ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008In 2008, the Wing Haven Foundation purchased the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden property in conjunction with the Garden Conservancy to continue Miss Lawrence's legacy. The Garden Conservancy's fellowship program (Marco Polo Stufano Fellowship) supports garden preservation work. Andrea Sprott currently serves as Garden Curator as the recipient of the 2009 Marco Polo Stufano Fellowship, which enabled her to work at the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology (Project FeederWatch)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWing Haven participates in Project FeederWatch, a citizen science program of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Students and visitors collect data on bird species visiting feeders November through April. Wing Haven also participates in the Great Backyard Bird Count each February. The partnership supports ornithological research and public science education.
• National Wildlife FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWF provides resources for creating outdoor classroom areas through their Schoolyard Habitat Program. Wing Haven's SEED Wildlife & Children's Garden is recognized as a Certified Schoolyard Habitat. NWF has featured Wing Haven in their blog recognizing cities that garden for wildlife.
• Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWing Haven references Audubon Society resources for creating backyard bird-friendly habitats and Bird-Friendly Plants information. Partnership supports bird conservation education.
• Bartlett Tree ExpertsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBartlett Tree Experts provided free trees for adoption during the Gardeners' Garden Tour and Earth Day celebration. Partnership supports urban tree planting and environmental education.
• TreesCharlotteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreesCharlotte hosted TreeFest event at Wing Haven, a family-friendly day of environmental learning and activities. Partnership supports urban forestry and tree conservation education.
• Central Piedmont Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWing Haven hosted a co-op intern from the CPCC Horticulture program. Student April Ryan completed a 4-month internship in 2012 and later received an American Hemerocallis Society scholarship and became President of the CPCC Horticulture Club.
• American Psychological AssociationminorOthersWing Haven blog references APA research on the mental health benefits of nature exposure, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders, and increased empathy and cooperation.
• Pine Knot FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPine Knot Farms generously donated Helleborus torquatus (species Hellebore) to the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden. Partnership supports rare plant conservation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: A public botanical garden located roughly 30 miles from Wing Haven in Belmont, NC, also operating under a nonprofit model with gardens, seasonal events, and educational programming. It is the closest geographic and scale comparable to Wing Haven's three-property operation.
• Atlanta Botanical Garden: Southeast-based nonprofit public garden operating curated plant collections, a bird and pollinator-friendly environment, and educational programming. It is materially comparable to Wing Haven in mission (conservation + education) and audience mix (families, school groups, garden enthusiasts).
• Brookgreen Gardens: A South Carolina nonprofit public garden combining formal plant collections with a wildlife sanctuary and zoo-like exhibits. Brookgreen's combination of botanical and zoological/wildlife experiences makes its hybrid model the closest structural analog to Wing Haven's bird sanctuary + botanical collections.
• Tyler Arboretum: A Delaware County, PA arboretum with a multi-acre public garden, historic estate, and educational programming. Comparable to Wing Haven in mid-size scale, historic property preservation, and event/programming mix.
• Morris Arboretum: University of Pennsylvania-affiliated arboretum operating historic gardens, plant collections, and educational programs. Comparable to Wing Haven in size, heritage landscape focus, and educational programming emphasis.

Regional players

• North Carolina Botanical Garden: University-affiliated (UNC) botanical garden located in Chapel Hill, NC, operating public gardens with conservation and education programs. It is a strong NC-based comparable for visitor base, school partnership, and citizen science programs, though larger and academic-backed.

Broad incumbents

• Missouri Botanical Garden: One of the oldest and largest U.S. public gardens, operating across extensive acreage with mature educational programming, research, and conservation partnerships. Comparable in mission and programming pillars but operates at a much larger scale than Wing Haven.
• Longwood Gardens: Major Pennsylvania-based public garden with large-scale curated collections, education, events, and research programming. Comparable in nonprofit public-garden mission but materially larger in acreage, attendance, and revenue than Wing Haven.
• New York Botanical Garden: A large, established U.S. public garden with plant collections, research, and educational programming comparable in mission to Wing Haven, but operating at national scale with substantially greater resources and visitor volume.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WingHaven_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@winghaven8455
• Facebookfacebook.com/Wing-Haven-135110086525862
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wing-haven
• Instagraminstagram.com/winghaven_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wing Haven