Fayetteville, NC – June 24, 2026 – Cape Fear Botanical Garden is honored to be awarded a generous $500,000 Endowment from Cumberland Community Foundation, Inc. The award was announced on June 23, 2026, during the Garden’s Annual Member Meeting, a gathering to reflect upon accomplishments, share updates, and look ahead to future priorities, “Cumberland Community Foundation feels that the Cape Fear Botanical Garden is one of the highest impact nonprofits in our community” stated Emily Schaefer, a past board member of the Garden and a current board member of Cumberland Community Foundation.
We believe that the Garden is a vital part of our community’s cultural and educational infrastructure. Children’s programming is a vital part of the garden’s mission to connect people with plants and the natural world. That leads us to today. I am pleased to announce a new $500,000 endowment – The Cumberland Community Foundation Kids in the Garden Fund will help ensure that summer camps and educational experiences for children continue to grow and remain accessible for future generations, fostering curiosity, learning, and a lifelong appreciation for nature. Every year. Forever.”
“We are deeply grateful to the Board of Directors of Cumberland Community Foundation for this extraordinary commitment to the future of the Garden,” said Chris Hoffman, CEO of Cape Fear Botanical Garden. “Since education is one of the Garden’s highest priorities, this endowment strengthens our ability to support educational opportunities for future generations.”
The newly created Cumberland Community Foundation Kids in the Garden Fund is a major milestone in sustaining the Garden as a vibrant resource for environmental education supporting summer camp and educational programming.
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About Cumberland Community Foundation:
Cumberland Community Foundation is a charitable organization that helps thousands of donors make life better in our community. Since 1980, they have provided grant awards for programs that support the arts and cultural infrastructure, and prepare children for success in school, develop community opportunities, improve the environment, help people meet their basic human needs, and enhance community prosperity. www.cumberlandcf.org
About Cape Fear Botanical Garden:
The mission of Cape Fear Botanical Garden is to transform people’s relationship with plants and the natural world. The Garden is a living laboratory and aims to be the region’s premier destination for people to connect with nature and expand their horizons through educational and cultural programs. www.capefearbg.org
