Updated January 9, 2005

ASLA Kicks Off Green Roof Fundraising Campaign
Contributors to receive recognition benefits.

ASLA is seeking contributions from members and landscape architecture firms to build the green roof on its downtown Washington, D.C., headquarters building. These contributions are needed to close a budget gap created by increased materials and labor costs due to the Gulf Coast hurricanes.

Earlier this month, the ASLA Board of Trustees voted overwhelmingly to move forward with the project on schedule by securing funding for the construction cost increases through an equity loan. The Board then set a goal of raising $350,000 in contributions, product donations, and construction service discounts to reduce the cost of the project. The ASLA building is valued between $5 million and $6 million—approximately two-thirds of which is equity—and is located in a neighborhood where property values are increasing at record levels each year due to revitalization and development efforts.

“This is a landmark investment for our profession, demonstrating the state of the art for green roofs,” said Dennis Carmichael, FASLA, president of ASLA. “We want to position landscape architects at the forefront of this emerging practice, and we all have a stake in the success of this project. If we don’t take the lead now in designing green roofs, then other design professions will be more than happy to do so.”

Carmichael helped kick off the fundraising campaign by joining ASLA executive vice president Nancy Somerville in making a personal pledge of $5,000 toward the project. Landscape Architecture Foundation president-elect Chris Dimond, FASLA, and ASLA president-elect Pat Caughey, FASLA, quickly followed with their own $5,000 pledges. ASLA green roof designer Michael Van Valkenburgh, FASLA, joined the campaign with another $5,000 contribution. SWA Group has also pledged $10,000, bringing the total to $35,000 as the campaign is launched.

Contributions from firms are tax-deductible as a business expense under Section 162 of the IRS Code. Contributions from individuals are not tax-deductible. Contributors may spread their pledge payments over three years, payable by December 31, 2008, and will receive a number of exclusive recognition benefits at various levels of giving:

$25,000 and above

• Prominent recognition commensurate with level of support on permanent bronze plaque outside ASLA headquarters front door.
• Prominent recognition commensurate with level of support inside stairwell to green roof.
• Signed, limited-edition professional photograph of the green roof.
• Prominent recognition in ASLA press releases, coverage in member communications, and print materials regarding the green roof design and installation.
• Participation in ASLA green roof dedication ceremony on Earth Day, April 22, 2006.
• Feature commensurate with level of support in contributors’ “thank you” advertisement in Landscape Architecture magazine (Spring 2006).
• Two full meeting registrations and complimentary tickets to tours and special events for the 2006 ASLA Annual Meeting (up to $2,000 total fair-market value).
• Firm profile feature in LAND Online, ASLA’s bi-weekly member newsletter.
• Copy of ASLA green roof book being published by Princeton Architectural Press, signed by the author.

$10,000–$24,999 level

• Prominent recognition commensurate with level of support inside stairwell to green roof.
• Signed, limited-edition professional photograph of the green roof.
• Participation in ASLA green roof dedication ceremony on Earth Day, April 22, 2006.
• Feature commensurate with level of support in contributors’ “thank you” advertisement in Landscape Architecture magazine (Spring 2006).
• One full meeting registration and complimentary tickets to tours and special events for the 2006 ASLA Annual Meeting (up to $1,000 total fair-market value).
• Firm profile feature in LAND Online, ASLA’s bi-weekly member newsletter.
• Copy of ASLA green roof book being published by Princeton Architectural Press, signed by the author.

$5,000–$9,999 level

• Prominent recognition commensurate with level of support inside stairwell to green roof.
• Signed, limited-edition professional photograph of the green roof.
• Participation in ASLA green roof dedication ceremony on Earth Day, April 22, 2006.
• Feature commensurate with level of support in contributors’ “thank you” advertisement in Landscape Architecture magazine (Spring 2006).
• Copy of ASLA green roof book being published by Princeton Architectural Press, signed by the author.

To make a contribution to the ASLA Green Roof Project, please complete the contribution form and return it to ASLA. For questions or additional information on the fundraising campaign, please contact Ann Looper, ASLA’s director of public relations and resource development, at 202-216-2369 or alooper@asla.org.

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