Does Hershey Gardens donate to fundraisers?

An approved organization receives four adult admission passes to Hershey Gardens.

Central Pennsylvania organizations that share a similar educational mission are the top candidates.

Hershey Gardens, part of The M.S. Hershey Foundation, receives hundreds of requests a year and can donate only a limited number of passes.

The emphasis is on causes that benefit educational and cultural enrichment.

What Hershey Gardens donates

Hershey Gardens has typically donated: In-kind or Monetary Donation.

Who can apply

Hershey Gardens donates to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Hershey Gardens does not donate to individuals.

Hershey Gardens limits donation requests by area: Local.

How to apply

Hershey Gardens asks every request to include the following.

• Your organization must be a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
• Email the request on organization letterhead to the Hershey Gardens information address listed on its donation page.
• Include a primary contact's name, email and phone, your mailing address, the date of the fundraising event, and a short description of your organization and its purpose.
• Send it four to six weeks before you need the donation.

When to ask

Hershey Gardens states a lead time of 4-8- weeks. Count back that far from your event date and send the request no later than then.

Across more than 25,000 fundraising events in our own records over fifteen years, March, April and May are the busiest months for fundraisers, October is the next busiest, and July and December are the quietest.

Work backwards from your event rather than forwards from today, and if your event falls in the spring peak, ask earlier than the stated lead time rather than later.

Common questions

Do I need to be a 501(c)(3) to request a donation from Hershey Gardens?

Yes. Hershey Gardens' donation program is limited to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, so you will need your determination letter and Tax ID before you apply.

How far ahead should we ask Hershey Gardens for a donation?

Hershey Gardens' stated lead time is 4-8- weeks. Work backwards from your event date: count back that far from the day of the event and send your request before that point.