In 2007, local business owner and 1948 engineering graduate Charles H. “Skip” Smith made a $10 million gift to seed the project that would grow into The Arboretum at Penn State. Over the next fifteen years, Skip helped drive forward new phases of expansion with additional major gifts, all the while galvanizing support from thousands of other donors who shared his vision.
When Skip passed in 2024, his lifetime giving across the University totaled $48 million, placing him among the most generous donors in Penn State history.
A Unique Opportunity to Amplify Your Philanthropic Impact
Now, thanks to the continued generosity of the Smith family, you too can create a legacy of impact by taking advantage of a unique $1 million matching program that doubles the value of new endowments of $100,000 or more. Eligible endowments will both reflect your area(s) of interest and allow for discretionary future use to address the Arboretum’s emerging needs.
This remarkable offer empowers you to double your sustained support for the Arboretum through a endowment bearing your name or the name of a loved one.
To discuss your funding preferences and philanthropic goals, please email Patrick Williams at pjw117@psu.edu.
The Arboretum has grown into exactly what our father intended—a spectacular environment for immersive education about plants and trees and an invaluable space for restorative reflection that the whole community can enjoy.
The Arboretum is a place that welcomes all and advances our goals of inspiring discovery, preparing students, and serving our entire commonwealth. We are grateful to Skip Smith and his family and to all our donors who have turned a cherished vision of natural wonder into reality.
Identified Needs for Endowed Support
- Natural Lands
Ensure the sustainability of the Prairie, Marilyn Quigley Gerhold Wildflower Trail, and other natural spaces that support conservation and biodiversity research and education. - Plant Material Beauty
Preserve the appeal and beauty of the Arboretum by establishing funds to maintain and replace plantings as needed. - Children’s Education
Make existing programming more accessible and create new programs to educate future generations about honoring and protecting our world. - Student Internships and Research
Support students by providing opportunities for experiential learning at the Arboretum that magnify the impact of their Penn State education. - Art Installations
Showcase art that tells stories of the natural world, including the joy found in it and how we can preserve it for future generations. - Specialized Education
Empower the Arboretum to promote teaching, research, and outreach on important issues regarding flora, birds, pollinators, and more. - Education and Community Engagement
Create opportunities to explore the environmental sciences through research and programs that promote environmental stewardship and strengthen community conservation efforts. - Events and Volunteer Program
Create and sustain community events and volunteer programs that make the Arboretum a place of gathering, learning, and sharing.
