Leach Botanical Garden lands $138K in donations, future still uncertain

Published 3:31 pm Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Leach Botanical Garden has secured a sizeable donation allowing it to stay open a little while longer as it faces a severe budge gap.

Announced Tuesday, the Portland garden secured more than $138,000 in donations after calling for action last week. The boost in revenue is a combination of $88,348 worth of donations and new memberships, paired with $50,000 from a separate donor.

“But we aren’t there yet,” the garden wrote on social media. “We still need to raise funds to carry us through June 30th. If we can raise more than the minimum $250,000 we will start to look at restoring staff hours to our horticulture and programs teams. We are still in conversation with the City and will keep you updated with any news.”

This increase in revenue will allow the garden to stay open until May 15.

Initially, the garden was anticipated to shutter as early at mid-March due to the funding shortfall.

Leach Garden Friends, the nonprofit organization that has managed the southeast Portland garden for more than four decades, announced Tuesday, Feb. 10, that the loss of $350,000 in municipal support for 2025 created an immediate budget crisis.

To stay afloat, the organization said it is eliminating half of its staff positions and reduce public programming by roughly 90%. Eleven employees will depart, and remaining staff members will see reduced hours beginning Sunday, Feb. 22.

Owned by Portland Parks & Recreation, the garden first opened in 1983 and has since grown into a 17-acre urban oasis shaped by volunteers, donors and community partners. Established in honor of botanist Lilla Leach, the site has become known for its plant collections, environmental education programs and cultural events, particularly serving east Portland neighborhoods that have historically had fewer public investments.

In response to the announcement, PP&R released a statement emphasizing the garden’s importance to the city, calling it a valued community asset that provides access to nature, education opportunities and gathering space in an underserved area.

PP&R wrote in the initial statement:

“In 2022, the City, PP&R, and Leach Garden Friends (LGF) entered into a Site License Agreement that reflected a shared goal of establishing a sustainable, long-term operating model for Leach Botanical Garden. Under this framework, LGF assumed responsibility for day-to-day operations and was authorized to generate and retain earned revenue, while the City provided defined, time-limited transition support approved by Council. The Agreement was designed to gradually shift the Garden toward financial independence and away from ongoing City operating passthroughs, consistent with Council direction and the structure of the license.”

Starting later this month on Thursday, Feb. 26, the garden will be open only Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and horticulture work will be limited to essential maintenance.

Leach Garden Friends set the goal to raise $50,000 per month over the next five months to stay open through June 30, while advocating for restoration of $450,000 in annual operational funding for the next fiscal year.

How the community can help

Donate now to keep the garden open.
Become a monthly donor to support the garden into the future.
Visit the garden this month and bring your community.
Share this information on social media.

Learn more at leachgarden.org.