N° 35 — December 29, 2020
We're wrapping up 2020! Please enjoy our regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.
Thank you — your support helps us keep you informed, bolsters the Arboretum, and strengthens our DC communities.
Our Community Impact
In 2020, FONA shifted its focus to grow and donate fresh produce, coordinate safe outdoor activities, and offer multi-sensory programming to support students, families, and teachers.

Check out our End of Year Report to learn how we helped our local community this year.

Last Chance to Double Your Donation
This is your last week to join our David Fairchild Society and see your donation doubled! Thanks to our "FONA Rock Stars" who made generous lead gifts, all donations and pledges to FONA through Dec. 31st will be matched and your donation will be doubled.

Your support makes a difference. FONA adapted its programs this year in response to COVID to continue educating children and teachers virtually, feeding local families with produce from our gardens, strengthening community networks, and planning the Arboretum's future. Your support makes this all possible.

Join our David Fairchild Society and help shape the future of the National Arboretum.

A Year in Photos
The National Arboretum served as an oasis of calm this year. Although it was closed from March through June, hundreds of thousands still found solace amongst the Arboretum's trees and flowers in 2020.

We look back at our favorite photo from each month this year and reflect what the Arboretum means to us during the pandemic.
Exploring the Arboretum
Get outside this week in the Arboretum's 446 acres of open space. Wander through the Arboretum's Holly and Magnolia Collection to add some color to your New Year's week.

Hundreds of hollies are sporting colorful berries this time of year. Grab your binoculars and a blanket and enjoy watching birds swoop in for a winter snack. Or spend some time sitting within the hidden cove created by an evergreen magnolia tree's cascading branches.

Please remember to wear your mask and mind your distance from other groups on the trails.
CARES Act - Individual Giving
A reminder that all taxpayers (both those who itemize and those who use the standard deduction) can deduct $300 in charitable giving to public nonprofits in 2020.
Prior to the CARES Act, those who used standard deduction could not deduct any charitable giving.

For those who itemize their taxes, the CARES Act significantly raises the amount of the charitable giving deductible from 60% of the filer's adjusted gross income (AGI) to 100% of AGI.

Gifts to donor-advised funds and private foundations do not receive the revised deductible under this provision.
The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM - 5 PM. Some buildings and collections remain closed to ensure visitor and staff safety.

We are taking next week off from making FONA Field Notes. See you in 2021!
Friends of the National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.544.8733
FONA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization with the mission to preserve and enhance a vibrant public space and support experiential programming that instills a love of plants, nature and the outdoors in all who visit, while promoting the overarching research and education mission of the U.S. National Arboretum.

Since its inception, FONA has helped support the Washington Youth Garden, Capitol Columns, Flowering Tree Walk, horticultural and research internships, restoration of Springhouse Run, and much more.