Leach Botanical Garden Plans for the Future

On Feb. 5, Leach Botanical Garden announced an urgent funding crisis that would affect the ability of Leach Garden Friends to keep the garden open past March 2026. Thanks to a strong community response, the nonprofit raised over $700,000 to secure the future of the Garden through its next fiscal year (July 1, 2026 - June 2027). 

This additional fundraising, combined with cuts to staff and reduced visitor hours have put Leach Botanical Garden on a stable path for the next 14 months. A special one-time $200,000 allocation from the City, championed by Mayor Wilson, the District 1 Councilors, and Portland Parks and Recreation administration, will provide needed gap funding for the next fiscal year as Garden staff builds out its stabilization and fundraising plan. 

Because future reductions or eliminations of City and other government funding are anticipated, as a first step in its stabilization plan, Leach Botanical Garden will raise admission and membership fees to ensure needed funds are available to keep the garden operating into the future. On July 1, admission for adults will increase to $12. Admission for youth will remain at $5 and is free for kids under five. These fees help to cover the costs of the horticulture team and managing and maintaining the garden. This change is expected to raise an additional $60,000- $80,000 for the garden.  

New and renewing memberships are also targeted to increase in July by $10 per level. Memberships have remained at the same cost for the past 5 years. Along with the increase in revenue from admission and membership fees, the org aims to increase community rentals and wedding rentals.

Leach Botanical Garden is committed to maintaining the Garden for All program which guarantees that anyone can access the garden regardless of ability to pay. Currently around 10% of visitors use Garden for All. 

To help provide transparency around the Garden’s funding plan, the organization will share a high-level look at the budgeted revenues and expenses for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget will be shared once it is approved by the board at the end of June.

Additionally, staff and board launched a sustainability plan to prepare for the future. The first phase of this plan calls for raising $1.5 million by July 2028 to provide $300,000 in annual gap funding for 5 years. The second phase involves raising a $6-$7million board restricted fund (built from planned giving) that will provide recurring and ongoing operating funds (also for $300K annually) that can rise with inflation. The Garden expects it to take 8 years to fully reach $7 million for the restricted fund. 

Any contributions from the City after June 2027, will be targeted to increase public programming. Base level garden operations can be maintained indefinitely with this plan starting in July 2027. Individual contributions, monthly donations, memberships, and foundation grants  will still be needed to fund normal operations while the organization raises additional funds for the 5-year gap fund and the long term board restricted fund.  

Good News from the Garden:

• Membership participation and visitation to the Garden have increased substantially over the same time last year. There was an 85% increase in membership in May over the same time in 2025.

• The recently installed footbridge over Johnson Creek – paid for by generous supporters of the Garden - restores access to the historic stone cottage for the first time in nearly six years, and allows visitors to wander through an additional two acres filled with native plants and peaceful trails.

• The first phase of the East 5 (formerly the Back 5) Community Habitat Enhancement Project public trail loop is nearing completion with an opening date target for early July. 

• Community partners and volunteers have stepped up to donate their time for summer programming including Honeybee Hikes, Multicultural Storytimes with Multnomah County Library, a Benefit Lecture with Richie Steffen, and two Benefit Concerts. More info at leachgarden.org.

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What’s Next: 

The Garden will continue to operate at a reduced staffing and programming level for the foreseeable future. These adjustments are necessary to ensure that operating costs do not exceed revenue. The plan is to grow revenue over the coming years and slowly add back additional open hours, and programs as funding and staffing allows.

If you haven’t been to the Garden recently, the team at Leach encourages you to plan a visit. Continued visitation, engagement, and support will be the key to ensuring the Garden remains a community asset for many years to come.

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