The Friends of the Conservatory is a community non-profit organization that supports the City's Volunteer Park Conservatory in cooperation with the City. The mission of FOC is to advocate and encourage preservation, public participation, and education with respect to the Volunteer Park Conservatory and its plant collection.

Description:
The FOC is a small organization with a budget of approximately $100,000. A staff of three, part-time, manages the affairs of the organization, which includes operating a giftshop and Information Center within the Conservatory. FOC organizes educational events around the Conservatory and its collections, is a partner with the Conservatory staff in managing its volunteer docents, and provides financial support for the Conservatory.

History:
The Friends of the Conservatory, formed as a non-profit organization in 1980, grew out of a 1978 citizens’ campaign to restore the physical structure of the Conservatory. The Victorian glass building had stood for 65 years at the north end of Volunteer Park, the site approved by the renowned Olmsted brothers’ landscape architecture firm in the early 1900’s. By 1978 the Conservatory’s glass panes and wood/iron framework had deteriorated so badly the building had to be closed during high winds.

The FOC, cooperating with the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation, sponsored the 1980 – 1985 architectural restoration of the Conservatory building. In 1983 the FOC and the City developed a Conservatory expansion plan. The Gift Shop/Resource Center opened in February, 2003. Most recently, in 2004, the FOC successfully led a community drive to defeat a proposed mandatory $5 Conservatory admissions fee.

From its beginning as an emergency restorer, the FOC has continued to evolve, helping the Conservatory fulfill many facets of its mission, including financial, educational, and events support. The FOC helps fund the Conservatory’s orchid collection, pays for descriptive tour materials and environmental education, and contributes to the Plant Acquisition Fund. Together with Conservatory staff, the FOC also organizes educational activities and hosts events, such as the popular annual holiday open house and plant sales.

Contact person: Sally Mitchell, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (206) 322-1817

Address:

1402 E. Galer St. Seattle, WA 98112 This location is handicap accessible (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.volunteerparkconservatory.org

Directions:

The FOC office is located at the back of the Conservatory at Volunteer Park. Entrances to the Park are at the corner of East Galer and 15th Ave. East, and at East Prospect and 14th Ave. East on Seattle's Capital. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: 10, 2 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	Yes
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	No
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	No