Supporting Master Gardeners
The Master Gardener Foundation of King County (MGFKC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds for the WSU Extension King County Master Gardener Program. The money raised supports a variety of programs for residents all over the county.
2025 Fall Appeal: Growing Together
As Extension Master Gardeners who teach science-based, sustainable home gardening practices, we make a significant, positive impact in our local communities by providing education about issues that directly affect our friends and neighbors.
For example, while the number of Washington state households struggling with food security has nearly doubled from 2020 to 2024 (Washington State Food Security Survey), we have responded to that crisis by teaching more than 2,823 community members, in 2024 alone, about growing their own food and practicing sustainable gardening. Such valuable impacts are not without cost. Program activities are powered by a combination of volunteer time from 600+ Extension Master Gardeners and monetary support from the Foundation.
The Master Gardener Foundation of King County (MGFKC) works year-round to raise funds through plants sales, and education programs like Growing Groceries and PNW Garden Savvy classes. These educational programs provide opportunities for residents who want to better serve their communities.
However, it is through generous donations from community members and Extension Master Gardener volunteers that we can expand plant clinics and educational classes to home gardeners in underserved communities. and continue to fund the following King County Master Gardener Programs:
39 PLANT CLINICS
WSU Extension Master Gardeners serve thousands of clients at ‘Ask-a-Master Gardener’ clinics located at farmers markets, hardware stores and nurseries throughout King County.
Help us pay for: reference materials, brochure and handout printing, supplies, tables and canopies, storage, diagnostic supplies, event fees and volunteer recognition.
In 2024, 16,663 clients were served and 25, 505 client questions answered.
13 DEMONSTRATION GARDENS
Our demonstration gardens, donate thousands of pounds of fresh organic produce each year and provide opportunites for county youth to learn and practice good gardening skills
Help us pay for: plants, seeds, compost soil, maintenance, irrigation, construction, signage, supplies and tools.
In 2024, 4,477 pounds of fresh vegetables were donated to Local Food Banks.
TECHNOLOGY
Master Gardeners use a range of online tools for operational functions and educational outreach to home gardeners.
Help us pay to: support our growing social media presence; Zoom, Constant Contact licenses and equipment for the Diagnostic Lab.
Here is what your generous donation could support:
- A gift of $100 can support 2 educational seminar classes, including those that help address food security
- A gift of $500 can support 10% of our annual technology expenses
- A gift of $1000 can support 50% of the cost of one Demonstration Garden
Our 2025 Master Gardeners: Growing Together Fall Appeal is seeking to raise $40,000 by year-end. We have 100% participation by active members of your Board of Directors, who have already collectively pledged $5,118 toward our goal.
Please help us to continue this important work!
DONATE ONLINE TODAY in one easy click. You can use your PayPal account or pay with a credit card.
Donations may also be made by check payable to MGFKC and mailed to:
Master Gardener Foundation of King County
c/o WSU Extension King County
560 Naches Avenue SW, Suite 130
Renton, WA 98057-2219
Thank you for supporting WSU Extension King County Master Gardeners!
Donations through DAFs are welcome. We are registered with most financial institutions under:
Master Gardener Foundation of King County
EIN: 91-1276424
If you have any questions, please contact vice-president@mgfkc.org.
Employer Matching Funds
Many King county corporations offer charitable giving programs that match or even double employee, employee partner, and retiree donations to nonprofit organizations. Search the King County Employer Match list to find out if your employer matches donations.
Workplace Giving Programs
Many workplaces offer employees the option of designating a portion of their paycheck to nonprofit organizations. Contact your employer for further information.
If you have any questions, please contact vice-president@mgfkc.org.
Employer Matching Funds
Master Gardener Foundation of King County
Our Tax ID#: 91-1276424
c/o Washington State University Extension/King County
560 Naches Avenue, SW, Suite 130
Renton, WA 98057-2219.
Donating appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds is quick, surprisingly simple and may provide you with significant tax benefits.
There are three easy steps to giving:
Step 1: Send us an email at treasurer@mgfkc.org to give us your name, address and gift information.
Step 2: We will send you broker stock transfer information. Please watch your email for a response from treasurer@mgfkc.org.
Step 3: MGFKC will sell the stock and send you a tax receipt using the contact information you provide. Your gift of securities to MGFKC is valued at an average of the low and high trading prices on the date of the gift.
You receive the potential deduction for the amount of the charitable donation, and you don’t pay capital gains tax on the sale.
If you have any questions, please contact vice-president@mgfkc.org.
Donors who are age 70 1/2 or older can contribute up to $100,000 from their IRA directly to a charity and avoid paying income taxes on the distribution. Known as a qualified charitable distribution, it is limited to IRAs. Discuss with your financial advisor the benefits of also donating retirement assets as part of your estate plan.
If you have any questions, please contact vice-president@mgfkc.org.
Make your check payable to MGFKC and please mail to our new address:
Master Gardener Foundation King County
c/o Washington State University Extension/King County
560 Naches Avenue, SW, Suite 130
Renton, WA 98057-2219
Based on our estimated 2023 program costs, Donors who wish to be named Program or Foundation sponsors may designate their gift and receive recognition at the following levels:
In recognition of your support, we will highlight your sponsorship to the Master Gardener community. Sponsors will be listed, at the Sponsor’s direction, on the MGFKC website, onsite at Gardens and Clinics, and in Program information, invitations, presentations, and events. Sponsors will be accommodated on a first come first serve bases. Please contact Joe Jennings, Vice President/Development Chair vice-president@mgfkc.org to discuss your sponsorship interests and opportunities.
All gifts are deeply appreciated. But donors often ask, at different levels of support – what is my gift enabling. The following chart is based on our 2023 actual costs and estimates through the end of the year. It shows how gifts of $100, $250, $500 or $1,000 enable the foundation to pay for in different Master Gardener programs.
For example, a $500 gift can help purchase one of the following:
- 25% of the Educational Seminar program
- 33% of the Plant Sales expenses
- 10% of the annual Technology budget
- 25% of the annual average cost of a Demonstration Garden
The examples are there to give you a sense of how important we view every gift and what they potentially enable for King County Master Gardeners.
Fred Meyer Community Awards
When you link your Fred Meyer shopping card with the Master Gardeners Foundation of King County, a percentage of all your purchases will be donated at no cost to you.
Here’s how to participate: Go to Fred Meyer Community Rewards. You will receive instructions on how to sign on to your shopping card and to search for ‘Master Gardener Foundation of King County’ to link to your card. That’s it. From that point forward, a percentage of your purchases will be credited to our program.