Marin Art and Garden Center

What Marin Art and Garden Center does

Marin Art and Garden Center (MAGC) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded August 6, 1945 in Ross, California, operating an 11-acre historic campus listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2022. The Center serves Marin County and the broader San Francisco Bay Area community with free public access to gardens, galleries, and event spaces 365 days a year. Its core offerings include venue rentals at the Livermore Pavilion (up to 300 guests), Gazebo Lawn, Fountain Pond, and Garden Patio for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations of life; The Studio Gallery for rotating art exhibitions; nature-based preschool (Garden School, transitioning 2026 to Evergreen Children's Academy); and a portfolio of public programs including yoga, workshops, Summer Concert Series, and the Edible Garden culinary fundraiser. Educational offerings include Exploring Habitats field trips for second graders in partnership with Marin Master Gardeners.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack without government funding. Earned revenue streams comprise (i) one-time venue rentals with quote-based pricing differentiated by event type and weekday non-profit rates, (ii) recurring annual memberships (Friends of the Garden $100+; Magnolia Circle $1,000+) with reciprocal benefits across the American Horticultural Society's 360+ gardens, (iii) subscription preschool tuition (full-time and part-time) with financial aid, (iv) ticketed programs and classes via Eventbrite, (v) photo-shoot permits at $100/hour, and (vi) group tours at $15/person for 15+. Contributed revenue includes individual donations, corporate sponsorship of signature events, multi-year commemorative benches ($10,000 / 10-year renewable) and bricks ($500), capital campaign contributions (Sowing the Seeds: $6.2M raised toward a $6.5M goal), and planned/legacy giving. Customer segments span (i) event hosts (weddings, corporate, memorials), (ii) families with preschool-age children, (iii) program participants, (iv) general Bay Area visitors using the grounds, and (v) donors and members.

The underlying technology is a standard nonprofit SaaS stack rather than proprietary platform: Neon CRM for member/donor management and recurring giving, Eventbrite for ticketing, HoneyBook for venue booking, Membership Anywhere for digital AHS cards, and PayPal/cards/ACH/eCheck for payments. Three long-tenured resident organizations anchor the campus — Ross Valley Players (since 1939), Oceanic Society (since 1969), and Pixie Park (since 1952) — alongside a vetted, green-certified network of 14 approved caterers. Leadership comprises Executive Director Iris Lax, Director of Development Kelly Miller, Director of Finance Svetlana Savinova, Director of Events & Programs Audrey Shapiro, Director of Garden School Emma Norris, Garden Manager Jenny Board, and Director of Grounds & Facilities Michael Bogart, governed by a 15+ member Board of Trustees.

Name

Marin Art and Garden Center

Legal name

Marin Art and Garden Center

Website

https://maringarden.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Marin Art and Garden Center is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating an 11-acre National Register historic campus in Ross, California, serving the Bay Area community with gardens, venue rentals, art exhibitions, nature-based preschool, and public programs since 1945.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Cultural and Event Center

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Historical Sites (71212)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH)

Keywords

• Event venue rental
• Nature-based preschool
• Community arts programs
• Historic garden center
• Wedding event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Ross

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership (Friends of the Garden): Annual membership program with multiple tiers offering benefits including program discounts, reciprocal garden admissions, swag, and exclusive event access. Memberships last one year from date of donation.
2. Venue Rental: Rental of event spaces including Livermore Pavilion (up to 300 guests), Gazebo Lawn, Fountain Pond, Garden Patio for weddings, corporate events, celebrations of life, and private parties. Non-profit rates available Monday-Thursday. Photo shoot permits at $100/hour.
3. Public Programs & Events: Ticketed programs including yoga, Mah Jongg classes, workshops, concerts, theatrical intensives. Summer Concert Series tickets sold via Eventbrite. Friends of the Garden receive 10% discount on select programs.
4. Garden School Preschool Tuition: Nature-based preschool for children ages 2-5, offering full-time (Monday-Friday) and part-time (Tuesday-Thursday) enrollment. Financial aid available through Garden School Scholarship Fund.
5. Donations & Fundraising: Individual donations, major gifts, capital campaign contributions, commemorative bench/brick sales ($500-$10,000), legacy/planned giving, corporate sponsorship of events. No government funding; relies entirely on private support.
6. Sponsorship & Underwriting: Corporate sponsorship opportunities for Summer Concerts, Edible Garden, Winter Wonderland events, supporting accessibility and keeping events open to the community.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Marin Art and Garden Center operates an 11-acre nonprofit historic garden campus in Ross, California offering event venue rentals (Livermore Pavilion, Gazebo Lawn, Fountain Pond, Garden Patio), a nature-based preschool (Garden School), year-round community programs and workshops (yoga, art, gardening, music), a rotating art gallery (The Studio), signature fundraising events (Summer Concert Series, Edible Garden), field-trip programming, and free public garden access 365 days a year.

Product overview

Marin Art and Garden Center is an independent nonprofit offering a diverse portfolio of programs and services centered around its 11-acre historic property. Core offerings include venue rental (Livermore Pavilion, Gazebo Lawn, Fountain Pond, Garden Patio) for weddings and events; The Studio Gallery for rotating art exhibitions; public community programs including workshops, lectures, and classes; and Exploring Habitats field trips for school groups. The Garden School provides nature-based preschool for children ages 2-5. Seasonal signature events include the Summer Concert Series (Thursday evenings July-August) and Edible Garden culinary fundraiser. Support programs include Friends of the Garden membership with AHS reciprocal benefits, Magnolia Circle leadership giving ($1000+), commemorative benches/bricks, and legacy/planned giving. The Sowing the Seeds Capital Campaign funds ongoing facility improvements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Venue Rental Rental of on-campus historic event spaces for weddings, corporate events, celebrations of life, and private parties, accommodating from intimate ceremonies up to 300 guests. Targeting engaged couples, event planners, families, and corporate organizers seeking distinctive garden settings with approved-caterer coordination.
• The Studio Gallery Exhibitions Rotating art exhibitions in The Studio gallery showcasing visual artists working in painting, sculpture, illustration, photography, design, and digital media, presented to the Bay Area community.
• Community Programs and Workshops Ticketed adult and family workshops, classes, and lectures covering art, gardening, culinary arts, yoga, Mah Jongg, and other enrichment topics, delivered on campus by visiting instructors year-round.
• Exploring Habitats Field Trips Outdoor K-12 environmental field trip program for second-grade students, delivered through docent-led stations covering compost/soil, woodland, garden, and pond habitats.
• Summer Concert Series Ticketed weekly outdoor concert series running Thursday evenings throughout July and August, featuring diverse genres (salsa, blues, zydeco, classical, opera, pop, teen rock).
• Edible Garden Culinary Fundraiser Annual culinary fundraiser celebrating local food and beverage vendors through tastings, demonstrations, and garden tours, supporting Center programs and accessibility.
• Garden School Preschool Nature-based preschool on the 11-acre campus serving children ages 2-5 with full-time and part-time enrollment options, emergent curriculum, small teacher-to-child ratios, financial aid, and a maintained waitlist.
• Summer Sprouts Camp Outdoor summer camp for children ages 3-5 featuring garden activities, free play, and nature exploration on the 11-acre campus.
• Twos Try It Camp Gentle, low-pressure preschool introduction camp for two-year-olds focusing on play and relationship-building as preparation for full preschool.
• Professional Photography Permits Hourly permits authorizing professional portrait photographers to use the 11-acre historic grounds as a setting for paid client photo sessions.
• Friends of the Garden Membership Annual membership tier providing programmatic discounts, reciprocal admission to 360+ American Horticultural Society gardens, quarterly newsletters, swag, and exclusive event access to supporters of the nonprofit.
• Magnolia Circle Leadership Giving Donor recognition program for annual leadership gifts of $1,000+ providing VIP concert tickets, Edible Garden discounts, reciprocal AHS garden admission, recognition, and premium benefits.
• Commemorative Benches and Bricks Sponsored commemorative items installed on the grounds, consisting of inscribed bricks ($500) and benches ($10,000 for a 10-year renewable term) with personalized inscriptions and bronze plaques.
• Legacy and Planned Giving Planned giving program accepting bequests, retirement plan designations, life insurance beneficiary gifts, and securities donations, with recognition through the Friends Forever Legacy Circle.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of $6.5M Sowing the Seeds capital campaign raised ($6.2M)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Cedars ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Collaboration for special art show 'Cedars in the Garden' exhibition featured at The Studio gallery. Media coverage in Marin IJ and Pacific Sun (cover story August 2025).
• Canal AllianceminorOthers · 1 January 2020DEIA partnership to help connect with underrepresented communities for staff and board recruitment. One of several community organizations consulted for diversity outreach efforts.
• Marin City Community Development CorporationminorOthers · 1 January 2020DEIA partnership for community outreach to help recruit diverse staff and board members. Collaborated on improving diversity in organization.
• San Geronimo Valley Community CenterminorOthers · 1 January 2020DEIA partnership sharing experience working to improve diversity. Part of broader effort to connect with underserved communities.
• Marin Master GardenerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Marin Master Gardeners to offer Exploring Habitats field trips for second grade classes. Master Gardener docents trained to conduct hands-on learning activities at four habitat stations (soil/compost, woodland, garden, pond). Field trips run Tuesdays September-November and March-May.
• Ross Valley PlayerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident theater company at MAGC since 1939. Main stage season with six plays plus bi-annual Ross Alternative Works (RAW) program for 34 weeks of live theatre annually. Originally performed in large red barn on property.
• Oceanic SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident organization at MAGC since 1969. Mission to improve ocean health by deepening connections between people and nature. Operates from campus location.
• Pixie ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResident cooperative playground established 1952 for children age six and younger. Volunteer-run with families fulfilling membership through volunteering at events and fundraisers. Play structures, swings, trellised picnic areas with keyed/gated safety.
• American Horticultural SocietycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReciprocal membership network allowing Friends of the Garden ($100+) to visit 360+ participating gardens nationwide including San Francisco's Conservatory of Flowers, Botanical Garden, and Japanese Tea Garden. E-card access via Membership Anywhere app.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley: 34-acre university botanical garden operating gardens, memberships, and educational programs for the Bay Area public. Comparable nonprofit botanical garden serving similar regional community.
• Hakone Gardens: Historic Japanese garden in Saratoga, CA operating as a cultural attraction with venue rentals and cultural programming. Comparable as a historic Bay Area garden attraction with event venue operations.
• Conservatory of Flowers: San Francisco historic Victorian conservatory operating botanical displays, exhibitions, and events. Comparable as a Bay Area botanical attraction and AHS reciprocal partner with MAGC's membership network.

Direct peers

• Santa Barbara Botanic Garden: 78-acre California botanical garden operating gardens, memberships, educational programs, and venue events as an independent nonprofit. Comparable in mission, programming mix, and AHS network participation.
• Descanso Gardens: 160-acre botanical garden in La Cañada Flintridge, CA operating gardens, venue rentals, summer concerts, and educational programs as an independent nonprofit. Closely comparable in business model, programming mix, and revenue diversification.
• The Gardens at Heather Farm: Six-acre nonprofit botanical garden in Walnut Creek, CA operating gardens, educational programs for children including nature-based preschool, and community events. Closely comparable given combination of gardens, preschool, and Bay Area nonprofit model.
• San Francisco Botanical Garden: Major Bay Area botanical garden operating 55 acres of gardens at Golden Gate Park with paid admissions, memberships, and educational programs. Strongly comparable as a botanical garden attraction serving the same regional audience.
• Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (California Botanic Garden): California native plant botanic garden operating gardens, memberships, education, and events as an independent nonprofit. Comparable nonprofit botanical garden operating with similar diversified revenue model.
• Filoli Historic House & Garden: Historic estate and botanical garden in Woodside, CA operating gardens, venue rentals, and educational programming. Closest comparable peer given combination of historic estate, public gardens, paid venue rentals, and nonprofit cultural programming in the Bay Area.

Broad incumbents

• The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens: Large Southern California cultural institution combining botanical gardens, art collections, and library with paid admissions and major-donor programs. Comparable as a multi-disciplinary cultural nonprofit with gardens at its core.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4cwKLjjaHeJDROrRgkpAEw
• Facebookfacebook.com/marinartandgarden
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marin-art-and-garden-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/marinartandgarden
• Pinterestpinterest.com/marinartandgardencenter

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Marin Art and Garden Center