The mission of the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt is to provide education, inspiration and enjoyment of bonsai to novice visitors and bonsai enthusiasts within a museum of bonsai masterpieces.

How to Give to the GSBF Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt (BGLM)

The Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt is recognized one of the jewels of Oakland.  It is treasured by locals, and it is one of the top attractions for visitors to The Town. The Bonsai Garden is open to the public free of charge throughout the year, and is entirely managed and staffed by volunteers.  All of our trees have been donated to us by bonsai artists and collectors, and we are funded through donations.

The BGLM is part of the Golden State Bonsai Federation, which is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) charity and educational organization, and contributions are tax-deductible. Any donations that we receive will go support the Bonsai Garden.

To donate to the Bonsai Garden please click on this link below and follow the instructions. If you prefer to donate by check please  payable to “GSBF Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt” and mail to GSBF Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt, PO Box 16176, Oakland, CA 94610. Note on the check “Donation.”

You can click on the following link to provide a donation: Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt Donations

You know how important it is to house and maintain this world class collection of historic and legacy trees for the public to view in the best possible museum setting. Each bonsai takes soil, fertilizers, pots, water, space and constant maintenance care. BGLM is an all-volunteer organization that manages our trees carefully to preserve the living art of bonsai.

Your charitable donations help an all-volunteer staff to ensure the one-of-a-kind living art museum of quality bonsai are on display for generations to come. We still need your help to support the revitalization work on-going for the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt.

The BGLM is part of the Golden State Bonsai Federation, which is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity and educational organization, and contributions are tax deductible, EIN is 953447952.

Please donate any amount to help support the next phase of our journey together.