Funding Master Gardener Educational Outreach
To financially support the Pierce County Master Gardeners through innovative fundraising and sound financial management, now and for the future.
Master Gardener Foundation of Pierce County
Founded in 1987, the Foundation was created to provide financial support to the WSU Ext Pierce County Master Gardener’s Educational Outreach Programs. We are a separate nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization run by Master Gardener Volunteers. Lead by a Board of Directors, we oversee the fundraising and money management for the important work the Master Gardeners do in our community.
The Annual Plant Sale is our largest fundraiser of the year, and the biggest public event for our Master Gardeners.
WSU Pierce County Extension
WSU Extension offices coordinate the Master Gardener program, train volunteers in research-based best practices, and provide the educational resources for public outreach and environmental advocacy throughout Washington state.
The Master Gardener program promotes educational outreach and community engagement through its demonstration gardens, educational workshops, and youth programs. These programs require public support. Master Gardener foundations provide that financial support through donations and fundraising campaigns to ensure our programs will continue to thrive.
The State Foundation
Our State Foundation focuses on three things:
- Providing financial and logistical support to our annual Advanced Education Conference so that we can continually improve the horticultural education of Master Gardeners throughout Washington.
- Nurturing statewide leadership, communication and collaboration amongst our dozens of local chapters, representing all 39 Washington counties, and to promote best practices in both fundraising and foundation management.
- Working in concert with WSU Extension to magnify the benefits of Master Gardener programs in all counties and regions of Washington state and across the U.S.
Master Gardeners in Pierce County:
Geographically, Pierce County covers more than 1,800 square miles of land and water with elevations rising from sea level to more that 14,000 feet. Known for iconic landmark Mount Rainier, Pierce County is home to nearly one million Washingtonians.
The Master Gardener Program in Pierce County is home to more than 400 volunteers who contribute their time and efforts across our Clinics, Demonstration Gardens, Youth Gardening, Speakers Bureau and much more. Our efforts are focused on a range of horticultural related topics including: Climate Change; Soil Health; Pollinators; Local Food; Plant Biodiversity; Nearby Nature and Wildfire Preparedness.