Friends of the National Arboretum to Steward Bonsai Museum as NBF Ends

Friends of the National Arboretum will be the U.S. National Arboretum’s primary nonprofit partner for the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum after the National Bonsai Foundation formally concludes operations at the end of December 2025. FONA said it is "honored to carry forward the legacy of the National Bonsai Foundation (NBF)," and that the majority of NBF’s remaining assets will transfer to FONA to support the museum and bonsai education.

NBF’s decision to wind down followed "careful deliberation by our Board of Directors, in close coordination with the U.S. National Arboretum, to ensure a smooth transition to their new single nonprofit partnership model," the foundation said in its closing FAQ, adding that "remaining funds will be used in full and thoughtful alignment with NBF’s mission." Pacific Bonsai Expo acknowledged the closure and reported that NBF "passed its responsibilities and assets to the Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA), the PBE and a few other organizations."

Operational continuity for the living collection remains with Arboretum staff, who "have cared for the bonsai and penjing collections since 1976," FONA noted. FONA also pledged that transferred funds "will be specifically dedicated to the continued care, growth, and improvement of the museum," and that it "embraces this new expanded role to support the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and the U.S. National Arboretum, helping them flourish in the decades ahead."

Pacific Bonsai Expo, in its March 4, 2026 acknowledgment, thanked supporters and urged continued backing of the museum, writing "We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported our mission" and closing with "Thank you for everything you do to help ensure that bonsai no kokoro, the spirit of bonsai, continues to thrive in the nation’s capital and around the country." PBE also noted in its statement that NBF "gifts endowment to PBE and others," confirming that a small portion of assets went to PBE and several unspecified bonsai organizations while the majority moved to FONA.

For donors and members, FONA laid out giving options that mirror common nonprofit vehicles: support through securities, donor-advised funds, planned giving, bench donations, and restricted gifts to the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum. FONA promotes a David Fairchild Society membership tier starting at $1,200 and directs prospective restricted donors to contact Claire Alrich at 202-918-1868 or calrich@fona.org. NBF provided a final-phase contact for questions during the transition, Bobbie Alexander, at balexander@bonsai-nbf.org, and indicated supporters will be contacted by FONA going forward about programs and opportunities.

Missing from public statements are dollar amounts, a full list of recipient organizations beyond PBE, and a timetable or legal documentation for the asset transfers; both FONA and NBF have said transfers and communications will proceed in alignment with NBF’s mission. The change consolidates nonprofit stewardship under FONA while leaving day-to-day care and curation of the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum in the hands of the Arboretum staff who have managed the collection since 1976.