Donor Highlight: Giving Back to Places That Matter

When Lawrence and I look out into our garden, we’re reminded every day why native plants matter. They bring beauty, resilience, and biodiversity to our landscape, but they also support something much bigger: the web of life that sustains us all.

That belief is one of the reasons we’ve been consistent supporters of Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for many years. The Garden’s commitment to conservation, habitat restoration, and education reflects values that are deeply important to us. We believe that connecting people with nature can be transformative and that protecting native plants is essential to the health of our communities and ecosystems.

As we’ve considered how best to support the causes we care about, we’ve found our Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) to be a valuable tool. It allows us to be intentional about our charitable giving and makes it easy to support organizations that are making a meaningful difference.

If you don’t already have a DAF, it’s worth exploring whether one might be right for you. As a CPA, I’m often surprised by how many people assume they’re complicated to establish. In reality, they can be relatively simple to set up through an investment adviser, a banker, or a community foundation. A DAF can provide a thoughtful, flexible way to support the organizations and causes that matter most to you, like Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

We’re thrilled to see young people playing in nature at the Garden. Sometimes it’s their first time being in the woods. The Garden instills the importance of the natural world in them at an early age. Our youth are our future, and the Garden is preserving a place that is safe and supportive.

We are inspired by the Garden’s leadership in protecting California’s native flora and biodiversity through conservation, restoration, and community engagement. And we’re grateful to play a small part in helping this work continue for future generations.

Whether you already have a DAF or are considering establishing one, I encourage you to explore how it can help you support the places and causes that matter most to you. Thoughtful giving can be one of the most rewarding ways to leave a positive impact on the world around you.

Kathy Scroggs
Garden supporter, volunteer, and former board member