Friends of the National Arboretum

What Friends of the National Arboretum does

Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. It serves as the primary private partner of the U.S. National Arboretum, a 451-acre federal horticultural research facility administered by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. FONA's core functions are fundraising, community engagement, youth education, and event management in support of the Arboretum's science, beauty, and public access mission. Its flagship programmatic offering is the Washington Youth Garden, a one-acre education garden established in 1971 that FONA adopted in 1996 and which now serves 7,000+ DC students annually while producing over 7,500 lbs of fresh produce distributed to fight local food insecurity.

FONA's product portfolio includes the Washington Youth Garden and School Garden Support Program (serving 130+ DC schools and educators through SPROUT field trips, Green Ambassador internships, and Educator Coaching for Title 1 schools), a venue rental program for weddings and corporate events at the Capitol Columns and other garden settings (DC's largest outdoor event venue, ranked 4th most unique wedding venue in the U.S. by Brides and a three-time The Knot Best of Weddings winner), seasonal festivals and plant sales (Garden Fair, Bulb Sale, Winter Festival, Native Plant Symposium), membership and donation programs with tiered giving levels up to the $50,000+ David Fairchild Society, corporate sponsorships, wellness programming (Wellness Wednesdays, gong bathing, yoga during Summer Evening Hours), and 5K race series. In late 2025, FONA assumed stewardship of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum following the conclusion of the National Bonsai Foundation's operations.

FONA's revenue model combines individual donations and memberships (open-ended "donate any amount" pricing with monthly sustaining options), transaction-based revenue from venue rentals and plant sales, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants (Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation among others), and government funding from DC agencies (Commission on Arts and Humanities, Department of Energy & Environment, Department of Health). A portion of venue rental proceeds flows to the Arboretum Director's Fund for consultants, supplies, and maintenance projects. The organization distributes through the 451-acre public grounds (700,000+ annual visitors), a 17,000+ subscriber newsletter (FONA Field Notes, an AMC Alex Award winner), 16,000+ social media followers, and reciprocal admissions at nearly 400 gardens nationwide via the American Horticultural Society Garden Network.

Name

Friends of the National Arboretum

Legal name

Friends of the National Arboretum

Website

https://fona.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 that serves as the primary private partner of the 451-acre U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., funding youth education, venue rentals, events, and research support through donations, memberships, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues and Donations: Annual membership achieved by donating any amount. Monthly sustaining membership options available. Revenue funds the Arboretum Director's Fund for consultants, supplies, and maintenance projects.
2. Venue Rentals: Revenue from private venue rentals for weddings and corporate events at the National Arboretum. FONA began managing private venue rentals in 2017 and shares a portion of revenue with the Arboretum.
3. Plant Sales and Seasonal Festivals: Revenue from Garden Fair & Plant Sale, Bulb Sale & Garlic Planting Party, Winter Festival & Christmas Tree Sale, and Lahr Native Plant Sale. Plant sales support the organization's mission and connect visitors to the Arboretum.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship opportunities at community events, visitor programs, and annual Dinner Under the Stars. Sponsors gain digital and in-person visibility. FONA has over 16,000 engaged followers across Instagram and Facebook and reaches 17,000+ subscribers through FONA Field Notes newsletter.
5. Event Revenue: Revenue from fundraising events including Dinner Under the Stars gala (September 22, 2026), Spring Soiree at National Bonsai & Penjing Museum, 5K races, wellness events, concerts, and full moon events.
6. David Fairchild Society: Major donor society with membership starting at $1,200 annually or $100 monthly sustaining gift. Commemorates plant explorer David Fairchild who brought ornamental cherry trees and Meyer lemons to America.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as the primary private partner of the U.S. National Arboretum. It raises private funds to support horticultural research, conservation, and education, and delivers youth education programs, wellness programs, seasonal festivals, venue and event rentals, plant sales, and a membership program for individuals, schools, and corporate supporters.

Product overview

Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) is a nonprofit organization that operates as the primary private partner of the U.S. National Arboretum, offering a portfolio of educational programs, community events, and membership services. The organization's core offerings include the Washington Youth Garden (a one-acre education garden), the School Garden Support Program, venue rentals for events, seasonal festivals, wellness programs, and membership benefits. FONA also produces educational content through its FONA Field Notes newsletter and virtual Digging In events. The organization does not offer a software product but rather delivers in-person programs, events, and educational services focused on horticultural research, youth education, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Washington Youth Garden (WYG): A one-acre education garden at the National Arboretum and FONA's largest community outreach program, established in 1971. Provides garden-based education, nature play, and grows thousands of pounds of fresh produce annually distributed to D.C. students and families.
• David Fairchild Society
• Heritage Society
• School Garden Support Program
• Green Ambassador Program
• FONA Field Notes

Products and services

• Membership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 7,000 students served annually through youth education programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• National Bonsai Foundation (NBF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025NBF concluded operations at end of 2025 after four decades of service building and maintaining the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. At Dr. Richard Olsen's request, NBF transferred majority of remaining assets to FONA to directly support the museum and bonsai education. FONA now carries forward NBF's mission to preserve and promote the art of bonsai in America.
• American Horticultural Society (AHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFONA membership includes reciprocal admissions and discounts at almost 400 gardens and arboreta nationwide through AHS Garden Network. The U.S. National Arboretum is a member of AHS Garden Network, allowing members of network gardens to receive special perks.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFONA serves as the primary private nonprofit partner of the U.S. National Arboretum, which is administered by USDA ARS. FONA supports and celebrates the science, beauty, and community impact of the Arboretum through education, engagement, and access to nature.
• Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz FoundationmajorOthersFoundation supporter of FONA's mission and programs, particularly School Garden Support Programs, Green Ambassador Program, and Washington Youth Garden.
• DC Commission on Arts and HumanitiesmajorOthersGovernment partner supporting FONA's mission and programs through funding.
• DC Department of Energy & EnvironmentmajorOthersCollaborative partner on Springhouse Run stream restoration project. Provided funding and support for reconnecting nearly 1,800 feet of stream to its natural floodplain.
• Bartlett Tree ExpertsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of Garden Fair & Plant Sale and Dinner Under the Stars (Scarlett Oak $50,000). Robert and Kate Bartlett / Bartlett Tree Experts are major donors at David Fairchild level ($50,000+).
• National Capital Area Garden ClubscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing supporter during Washington Youth Garden's growth. Arboretum partner supporting horticultural education and garden programming.
• National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting volunteer events such as National Public Lands Day at Washington Youth Garden. NEEF photography credited for volunteer documentation.
• Casey TreesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Summer Evening Hours. Vendor at Garden Fair & Plant Sale. Organization dedicated to restoring, enhancing, and protecting the tree canopy of the nation's capital.
• MTG HospitalitymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvent venue management partner handling private venue rentals for weddings and events at the National Arboretum. Contact: Natalie Thomas.
• DC Department of HealthminorOthersGovernment partner supporting FONA's mission and youth education programs.
• DC Department of Parks and RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical partner in Washington Youth Garden's founding. WYG was established through partnership with DC Department of Recreation in 1971 and operated as community garden for children from local schools and DPR camps until 1996.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United States Botanic Garden: A federally operated public garden in Washington, D.C. Like FONA, it sits on federal land in DC, focuses on plant conservation, public education, and special exhibits, and serves a similar DC-based audience for horticulture, weddings, and education programming.
• Casey Trees: A DC-based nonprofit dedicated to restoring, enhancing, and protecting the tree canopy of the nation's capital. Operates in the same DC market, partners with FONA on Summer Evening Hours, and competes for the same local donor and corporate partner base.
• American Horticultural Society: National nonprofit that operates the AHS Garden Network (of which FONA is a member) and shares FONA's horticulture education and member-benefit mission. A direct peer in the nonprofit horticulture and gardening space.
• Chicago Botanic Garden: One of the largest public gardens in the U.S. with similar programming across youth education, plant sales, weddings, and major donor societies, as well as close municipal and federal research ties — a clear direct peer in scale and mission.
• Morris Arboretum: University of Pennsylvania-affiliated public garden and arboretum with comparable programs in plant collections, youth education, weddings and venue rentals, and membership-driven fundraising — directly analogous to FONA's structure and offerings.
• The Arboretum at Flagstaff: A nonprofit arboretum focused on high-elevation plant research, environmental education, and community engagement — comparable in mission around research-driven horticulture and public education, though on a smaller scale.
• Brookside Gardens: A 50-acre public garden in Wheaton, Maryland (DC metro area) that runs comparable horticultural education, seasonal festivals, plant sales, and community programming — competing with FONA for the same regional audience and donor base.

Broad incumbents

• Longwood Gardens: A major 1,100-acre horticultural display garden with extensive wedding venues, education programs, and seasonal events. Operates as a comparable but much larger and more commercially developed version of FONA's event- and education-driven model.
• New York Botanical Garden: A flagship 250-acre public garden and research institution with a much larger endowment, more extensive education programs, and broader national reach. Overlaps significantly with FONA on plant research, youth education, weddings, and membership models at a much greater scale.

Regional players

• Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens: A DC-based estate with curated gardens that offers memberships, education programming, weddings, and special events. Competes directly with FONA for the same DC-area wedding and donor market but with a different curatorial focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fonaonline
• Facebookfacebook.com/FONArboretum
• Instagraminstagram.com/fonarboretum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friends-of-the-national-arboretum

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Friends of the National Arboretum