The Rochester Garden Club supports an extensive array of non-profit organizations in the greater Rochester area whose functions align with our mission. Supporting educational outreach in horticulture and environmental stewardship is a critical function of the club and our members are proud to be able to offer this support. Scholarships, recurring annual donations and special awards are all key to our service to the community.
Scholarships
The club reaches out to students of all ages in the Rochester community to help them learn about our natural world and experience nature firsthand. We donate a $1500 college scholarship to each of three Rochester high school graduates who are interested in a degree program in environmental studies or horticulture. These funds encourage our recipients to follow their dreams and become contributing members of society.
We also work closely with the Pontiac International Technology Academy to identify six middle school students who would benefit from a special scholarship. We send them to the 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resource Camp on the shores of Lake Huron for a weeklong sleep away adventure where they experience hands-on science and outdoor activities and have a lot of fun as well.
Our newest scholarship is to send elementary students to the “Nature Discovery Camp” hosted by the City of Rochester Hills. We work in association with the Neighborhood House to identify students who would most benefit from this experience. We hope to host at least six students each year.
Other scholarships that we support include the Dutton Farm Scholarship, the Clinton River Watershed Council Scholarships, the Alice Burlingame Horticultural Therapy Scholarship, and the Lady Aberdeen Scholarship.
Hands-on learning, monetary support and outdoor experiences are crucial to give our young students the confidence and curiosity to embrace scientific learning and love of nature. The Rochester Garden Club is pleased to encourage our students through its scholarship programs.
Contributions
Recurring annual donations to area non-profits helps these groups with their budgetary needs. The club regularly donates to these area organizations:
- Greening of Detroit
- Wildflower Association of Michigan Grant Fund
- Nature Conservancy, Great Lakes
- Drayton Plains Nature Center
- Six Rivers Land Conservancy
- Seven Ponds Nature Center
- Dinosaur Hill
- Detroit Zoological Society Gardens
- Belle Isle Conservancy
- Francis King Dogwood Garden
We are also members of these organizations:
- Wildflower Association of Michigan
- The Stewardship Network
- Wild Ones
- Clinton River Watershed Council
Special Projects
When our fundraising is highly successful, we are able to give away even more money! We identify special one-time needs in the community that we can support. Through the years we have given thousands of dollars to The Rochester Museum at Van Hoosen Farms, the Rochester Schools science departments at all the highs schools and middle schools and even some elementary schools, Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, Seven Ponds Nature Preserve, the Neighborhood House, Oakland Township Parks and Recreation Department, the Clinton River Watershed Council, the Rochester Community House, Dutton Farms, the Mount Avon Cemetery and many more. These gifts are gratefully received, and the membership is thrilled to be able to touch our community in such a helpful and direct way.
