We celebrate the start of this year’s Hearts & Flowers annual fundraising campaign with a big announcement. TBG Members Patrick and Dorothy Smyth, pictured here with CEO Stephanie Jutila, have pledged a $25,000 matching gift challenge to kick off the 2025 campaign.
Both are Master Gardeners. Dorothy, a Certified Landscape Designer for 29 years, studied Landscape Architecture at Toronto Metropolitan University. She owned a Garden design and installation company for 30 years. Patrick has retired from a business career.
They recently told us that as lifetime gardeners, TBG is where they seek out beauty, knowledge, and community. Each visit to TBG inspires them to look at their own garden with new eyes and reminds them what a rare and lasting gift the TBG is to Toronto. They wrote this love letter to the Garden and wanted to share it with others as inspiration:
“TBG—walking your paths is like stepping into a living conversation, between plants, seasons, and people who pause to admire, share stories, and exchange knowledge. These moments of connection enrich the experience as much as the gardens themselves, making TBG feel like a place where both plants and people grow together.
We are constantly impressed by the breadth of what you offer—from horticultural lectures and design courses to children’s programs, plant sales, tours, and the joy of music and dance. There is always something new to discover, and each visit feels like both an education and a celebration.
Above all, we are grateful to civically minded visionaries like Rupert Edwards, who had the foresight to ensure free access to you as a park, forever. The legacy of those who came before us endures in every bed, border or natural space, in every course taught, and in every smile of those who wander the grounds. Toronto Botanical Garden is more than a place of plants—it is a legacy of inspiration, learning, and belonging for us all.
With gratitude and affection, Dorothy & Patrick Smyth
The couple invites you to give generously to this year’s Hearts & Flowers campaign. They will match every dollar you give until cumulative donations reach $25,000. That means your gift of $100 becomes $200 … $250 becomes $500 … and so on. Will you help us seize this opportunity and double your impact today?
Curious about the impact of your gift? Visit our 2025 Impact report here to learn more about what your gift achieves at the TBG.
WAYS TO GIVE
- Make your gift online here.
- Our team is here to support you in fulfilling your gift. We can help you process your gift online by calling 416-397-1372 or emailing [email protected].
- You can donate securities and save on capital gains tax. Download our form here to send to your broker.
- While rotating mail strikes continue, cheques may be dropped off on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at our 2nd floor office at 777 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, ON M3C 1P2. Cheques may be mailed to the Toronto Botanical Garden at the same address.
- In alignment with TBG’s sustainability goals, all charitable tax receipts will be issued electronically this year as part of our ongoing commitment to going green. Receipts can be mailed upon request.
