Community Partnerships & Collaborations

As a free public garden, our mission is to enrich lives and inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world. The Outdoor Gardens and indoor tropical Bolz Conservatory provide unique settings for community members to come together to celebrate, learn, create, and connect with the natural world. Developing sustainable partnerships and collaborations with local organizations and individuals to offer mission related engagements at the Gardens is how we all grow!!

Please read through the information below before submitting a partnership proposal.

Mission Focus

Partnership and collaboration proposals that embody or amplify the Olbrich Gardens' mission to connect plants and people may be prioritized.

Olbrich Gardens will still consider proposals focused on other subjects.

Inclusion Statement

It is essential that partner organizations and individuals share the values reflected in Olbrich Gardens' Inclusion Statement.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens aspires to be a destination where all visitors, volunteers, and staff are valued and feel they belong. With conscious intent and continuous learning, Olbrich Botanical Gardens' staff, volunteers, and board will address barriers to inclusion through education, operational changes, and partnerships with the community.

Public-Private Partnership

Olbrich Botanical Gardens exists within Olbrich Park and is operated as a public-private partnership between the City of Madison Parks Division and the non-profit Olbrich Botanical Society.

Olbrich Botanical Society raises $2 million each year to keep the Gardens free and accessible to over 325,000 annual visitors. General donations and memberships are used to fund annual operations, including the purchase of thousands of plants, education programs, exhibitions, and horticulture displays.

The mission, values, and policies of both governing entities are considered when evaluating potential partnerships and community collaborations at the Gardens.

Recent Partnerships/Collaborations

• Top 10 Ways to Help the Lakes at Home - Clean Lakes Alliance

• Nature Net Passport - Nature Net

• Indigenous Garden Project - Rita Peters (Ho-Chunk Nation)

• Greater Madison Writing Project - University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Make Music Madison - Madison Arts Commission, NAMM Foundation
• We Read - Madison Public Library

• Seed to Table Program - Goodman Community Center

• Winter is Alive! - Madison Arts Commission, Garver Events, & Sustain Dane

• Landscape Lighting Camp - FX Luminaire/Reinders, Inc.

• Gallery Night - Blink grant installation and pop-up gallery - MMoCA
• Opera in the Gardens - Fresco Opera

• Pop-Up Food Event - Madison Originals

• Beverage Collaborations - Starkweather Brewing Company & Working Draft Beer Company

Regular Public Hours

Proposed programs located in the outdoor gardens or Bolz Conservatory during public hours that would restrict access to general visitors due to space constraints or admission fees are challenging to consider.

Outdoor Gardens/Lobby                                 Bolz Conservatory
April - September | 10 am - 6 pm                    Year-round | 10 am - 4 pm
October - March | 10 am - 4 pm

During peak season at the Gardens (May - September), staff resources and space availability may be limited due to the Gardens' annual programs and private events (i.e. weddings).

Private Event Rental

If your proposal is not selected for a community partnership you may consider the option of renting space at the Gardens to facilitate your program. In this case the Gardens would be noted as the location, versus a co-host or partner.

For more details on available spaces and rates visit the Gardens' Private Event Rental Information.

Private Event Examples

• Corporate Meeting / Reception / Workshops
• Madison Herb Society's Herb Fair
• Memorial Services
• Madison Weavers Guild's Fine Art & Craft Sale
• Wedding Ceremony and/or Reception
  

Partnership Proposal Submission

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Madison's free public garden! Please consider the guidelines detailed above when submitting your partnership/collaboration proposal.

Complete the SUBMISSION FORM to submit your proposal. We recommend submitting proposals 4-6 months in advance of the proposed program date/duration to allow adequate time for planning.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens reviews and considers every proposal received through a standard evaluation process involving input from all departments - Horticulture, Education, Programs & Exhibits, Development, Marketing, and Olbrich Gardens' CE&I (Community, Engagement and Inclusion) working group.

A member of Olbrich's staff will follow up with you within one month of your submission date.

Parking

The public parking lot surrounding Olbrich Botanical Gardens is free for all guests and offers 210 spaces, including (12) fully accessible parking spaces near the main building entrance.

With other community events happening in the surrounding area parking may be limited. Having an alternate plan before arriving is the best strategy!

Please reference this map of alternative parking locations within a half-mile of the Gardens.

Donation Requests

Looking for a donation for a silent auction or fundraiser?

Olbrich Botanical Gardens is pleased to donate an Olbrich Family Membership (one year duration - $55 value) to support the fundraising efforts of other local non-profits. Membership benefits includes free or reduced admission to many of the Gardens' education programs, exhibits (like Blooming Butterflies) and flower shows.

Contact Olbrich's Membership Specialist, Kaylee McDonald, at kmcdonald2@cityofmadison.com to learn more!