Financial
Funding for the institution was initially provided largely by the City of Hamilton and then in the 1940s by the Province of Ontario. By the early 1980s, funding restrictions and the desire to become increasingly self-supported led to charging of an admission fee for the cultivated garden areas. The extensive system of nature trails, more than 20 kilometres (12 mi) in length, has remained accessible free of charge. As of 2006, approximately 40% of RBG's annual budget comes from support from the Province of Ontario, the City of Hamilton and the Region of Halton. The remainder, 60%, is classed as 'self-generated revenue' and is raised annually from admissions, memberships, donations, summer camps, and fees-for-service.
An organized volunteer group of more than 300 members called the RBG Auxiliary supports the efforts of the RBG. Annually, the Auxiliary raises tens of thousands of dollars and donates tens of thousands of hours in such roles as tour guides, staffing the RBG Library and RBG Archives, and some gardening.
Read more about this topic: Royal Botanical Gardens (Ontario)
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