Meet Our Donors

“I was immediately drawn to the Garden’s preservation and conservation work. It’s hard work to run a Garden and most don’t focus on conservation to the degree that Desert Botanical Garden does,” shares Maja. “We strongly believe if we support an organization enough to dedicate valuable time through leadership commitments, then we should definitely incorporate that organization into our long-term giving plans,” says Maja.

Donna Dehn

Donna is an unbelievable resource for the Garden," says Plant Physiologist Kevin Hultine. Donna Dehn, who has a Ph.D. in molecular toxicology, an MPH and an MS in plant ecology, came to the Garden as a volunteer in 2011. Sharing her extensive research experience with Dr. Hultine, Donna is developing a methodology for measuring sugars in plants under extreme drought conditions. Today, the Dehns have generously contributed Donna's remarkable volunteer skills plus a donation to provide much needed research equipment. Looking to the future, they've made arrangements in their estate plan to support Desert Botanical Garden's future.

The Papp Family

"When we were growing up, our family always shared the importance of supporting arts and cultural institutions. We continue to appreciate wonderful Arizona organizations, like Desert Botanical Garden and the enrichment they bring to the community," says Jenny Papp. "We are thrilled to continue our family's legacy of supporting arts and culture in Arizona," continues Stephanie Papp.

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Dawn and Don Goldman

Dawn and Don Goldman believe the Garden’s research work is instrumental to the conservation and preservation of the Sonoran Desert. To ensure this work continues beyond their lifetimes, they’ve put together a philanthropy support plan that includes legacy giving to the Garden and the Grand Canyon Trust, supporting the knowledge and education crafted by both of these organizations for years to come.

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Jane Jozoff

Jane has been investing in the Phoenix arts and cultural community for decades, chairing successful events and serving on the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission. Jane believes in the Garden as it strives to build appreciation of the Sonoran Desert habitat. Having served on the Board of Trustees and co-chair of the Patron’s Circle Committee, she has included Desert Botanical Garden in her charitable estate plans.

Diane and Mike Kulow

Diane and Mike Kulow's first membership to Desert Botanical Garden was a gift from dear friends. Since then, the Kulows have continued to renew their membership and increase their involvement. During the Tending the Garden Campaign, they generously invested in the Garden's future by making a planned gift from their estate. They are quick to say, "We love the theory of saving this place for future generations, but the tax benefits are important too."

Jeff and Lexine Hebets

A long-time desert enthusiast, Jeff and Lexine particularly appreciate the Garden's efforts to teach the community about the Sonoran Desert and the Garden's conservation of the cactus family—the planet's fifth most threatened species. Jeff has served on the Board of Trustees and the education advisory committee, in addition to lending his talent in metal work to Garden projects. Jeff and Lexine decided to include a gift to the Garden in their estate plan to continue the spirit of philanthropy that Jeff's parents inspired in him.

Craig Pearson

Craig Pearson's interests in pots and container gardening brought him to Desert Botanical Garden. "Amazing and ever-changing, Desert Botanical Garden is a living museum that's so important—we have to keep it going. Like Phoenix, the Garden has grown up. It's evolved from a dusty place into a vibrant metropolitan oasis!" Craig's estate plan includes a charitable provision to share his interests in art and landscape design with the Garden forever—to grow the endowment and provide support for education.

Gene Skutack

Originally from Peakville, Pennsylvania, Gene Skutack is passionate about cacti. Since the early 2000s, he's been “snowbirding” in Arizona, each visit collecting and transporting new plants back to the greenhouse he built to protect the cacti from snowy winters. His collection now numbers over 375 plants! This passionate gardener has made plans to share his love for desert plants with future generations by including the Garden in his charitable estate plan.

Kathy and Bruce Weber

The Webers describe Desert Botanical Garden as "a unique, inspiring setting that is uplifting, quiet and calm." They applaud its passion for preservation, creation of new, innovative programs and extensive work with the community. Today, the Garden benefits from their extraordinary involvement. Tomorrow, the Webers' estate plan will help to insure the Garden's future and preserve a delicate natural environment for generations to come.

Janet and Rev. Dr. Walter Wieder

Janet became a volunteer in the Garden in 2005 as an instructor aide. Since then, she has contributed more than 800 annual hours as a docent, guest guide, membership envoy and instructor aide. She enjoys seeing the Garden thoughtfully progress, noting the significant improvements since she first started volunteering. Janet and Walt included a gift to the Garden in their estate plan to help the Garden continue to evolve, so that future generations can continue to enjoy and love this beautiful place.

Pam Cooper & Margaret Wilson

Pam and Margaret, military veterans who both mobilized and deployed for three tours in Iraq, developed a curiosity for plants upon moving to Arizona. Pam came to the Garden in the early 2000s to investigate the Desert Landscaping School. She went home with an enthusiasm for the flora, fauna and people she found here. They take pride in the way the Garden is growing and developing. Together their charitable estate plan will help to "pass all the wonderful times we have had here to the next generation of pollinators."

Marilyn Wolfe

"The Garden is beautiful, fabulous—it was calling to me!" A first Luminaria visit persuaded Marilyn Wolfe and her husband to become Garden members. That led to volunteering, allowing Marilyn to learn amazing things about the desert and make bright and interesting new friends. When revising her estate plan, Marilyn decided, "I should be giving to the Garden as a way to support preservation of a very precious resource—the desert. It's a way for me to continue my volunteer efforts here."

Meet Our Donors

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