Your gift to the Arboretum is now DOUBLED until the end of the year! Donate online now.
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Your Philanthropic Support in 2025 is Vital

Nonprofits across the country are facing growing needs and challenges, and your generosity is especially important this year. As a nonprofit, The Morton Arboretum relies on private support to fund 99% of its operating budget, advancing our vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together.

Nearly half of the Arboretum’s annual support—46%—arrives in the final quarter of the year. To help us close the gap at this critical moment, the TNT Family Foundation has doubled their challenge match: bringing the total match to $50,000! That means every gift made before December 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000, to help power the Arboretum’s impact on tree research, conservation, and the planting, protecting, and preservation of trees for future generations.

Below are important details on how you can make your contribution to the Arboretum or renew your membership support in 2025.

Don’t wait! To qualify for a 2025 tax deduction, your contribution must be received in one of the following ways:

  • Checks must be dated in December 2025, postmarked by December 31, 2025, and received by the Arboretum no later than January 5, 2026.
    Please make checks payable to The Morton Arboretum.
    Please address payments to:
    Development Office
    PO Box 773368
    Chicago, IL 60677-3368
  • Electronic contributions must be submitted online via credit card by 11:59 p.m. CST on December 31.
  • Contributions received on-site at the Visitor Center Membership Desk must be received before 4:00 p.m. CST on December 31.
  • Contributions received by the Arboretum as a wire transfer or ACH from your financial institution must be received before 4:00 p.m. CST on December 31.

Give securities, stock, or mutual funds, or contribute from a charitable gift fund: For assistance in making these contributions and for transfer details that can be shared with your financial institution, please contact any of the following team members:

Please refer to these additional instructions when transferring mutual funds or gifting with an ACH or wire transfer of appreciated securities.

Support the Arboretum with a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA: If you are 70½ or older and have an IRA, consider making a gift from your IRA directly to The Morton Arboretum. A gift made directly from your IRA not only fulfills your philanthropy goals, but may also satisfy your required minimum distribution—all without generating taxable income. Gifts to all charities combined may not exceed $108,000 per taxpayer for the year. Gifts must be made directly from the IRA to the Arboretum, postmarked by December 31, 2025, and received by January 5, 2026, to qualify for the 2025 calendar year. For more information, email or call any of the individuals listed above.

Include the Arboretum in your estate plans: To learn how you can make the Arboretum part of your legacy, please email Jessica Anderson, major and planned giving officer, or call 630-725-2146.