San Francisco Botanical Garden Society

Since 1955, San Francisco Botanical Garden Society has been building communities of support for the San Francisco Botanical Garden, a world class living museum. On July 1, 2022, the Society launched the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, a new entity that unites the operations of the Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden and San Francisco Botanical Garden under one public/private partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. All three public gardens offer free entry to San Francisco residents and non-residents receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits through the Museums for All program. As a part of the historical group of museums and cultural institutions in the east end of Golden Gate Park, the Gardens connect people to plants, the planet and each other. They instill a deeper understanding of the necessity to respect the environment and conserve biological diversity.

MY WORK

Grant strategy, development and management:

In 2015, San Francisco Botanical Garden Society hired me to support and manage grant writing and the institutional funding program. My support has included working with program managers to develop program strategies, grant proposal and report writing and grants planning and management. My grant work has focused on raising funds for year-round educational programming including environmental education for children and youth, plant collections planning and infrastructure, and a popular summer music festival, Flower Piano.

IMPACT

During my first year with San Francisco Botanical Garden, I hit the ground running by setting up systems to track funder outreach and to ensure a seamless continuation of the grant program, including the management of grant proposal and report deadlines, grant-related research, the identification and qualification of new opportunities and the development of new proposal and report content. This led to the successful renewals of grants as well as new funding for the Garden’s programs. I have also supported transitions on the development team with training and capacity building support and grant development in support of the launch of the Gardens of Golden Gate Park. Today, I continue to support grant writing, strategy and management for the Gardens of Golden Gate Park.

“Christine is an expert in fundraising, grant writing and communications. Her writing is compelling and articulate – essential attributes when developing copy to create excitement and interest around a funding need. I leaned on Christine heavily to work with program staff to identify institutional funding opportunities and manage our grants calendar. She always maintained a high level of organization, and personal initiative and responsibility. I would happily hire Christine again and recommend her without reservation.”

• Lillian Archer, Former Director of Development, San Francisco Botanical Garden Society