Friends of Hollywood Cemetery is a 501(c)3 organization that was founded in 2007 in order to meet the cemetery's growing need for private philanthropy. Friends' primary goal is the restoration and conservation of monuments, sculptures, and ironwork within the cemetery. They handle development programs for the cemetery, community outreach efforts and cemetery events, including tours, picnics and guest speakers.
With the aid of conservation consultants, Friends of Hollywood has identified and ranked monuments and ornamentation most in need of repair and enhancement. The cemetery's current income and endowment, however, is not enough to cover all the care and conservation needed to preserve this historic site.
Hollywood depends on the generous support of donors in order to ensure the long-term care of the cemetery. These donations are essential to the preservation of this historic cemetery for future generations.
Donate
You can support the long-term care of Hollywood Cemetery through a tax-deductible donation to Friends of Hollywood Cemetery that will go towards preservation and restoration projects, as well as educational programs.
Planned Giving
By joining The Legacy Society of Friends of Hollywood Cemetery, you can ensure the future of Hollywood for generations to come. Your estate gift will be set aside for days when Hollywood is no longer a working cemetery, but still frequently visited.
2024 Contributors to Friends of Hollywood Cemetery
Because of your generosity, Friends of Hollywood Cemetery was able to continue to fund ongoing capital restoration projects throughout the Cemetery. Since 2008, you have helped us raise more than $6.4 million which has contributed to an array of improvements in every corner of the Cemetery. Many of these projects have been featured in our quarterly newsletter and in previous annual reports, along with stunning photography from local photographers and others who come from across the globe to see this special place.
Thanks to you, we recently completed the restoration of Long Bottom, the 4.5-acre expanse near the entrance of Hollywood. Always a popular destination, Long Bottom now has new stairs with railings and parking spaces, making this spot accessible to all who wish to come and enjoy this urban asset. Long Bottom offers yet another powerful connection between people and nature. I hope you will come and visit so that you can see how your investment here benefits all who spend time at the Cemetery.
Thus, Hollywood Cemetery continues to be a destination, with record breaking numbers of visitors seeking nature, solace, and improved mental health. Daily, we see walkers, runners, artists, those on Segways, new parents pushing strollers and pet-owners taking their dogs to enjoy some fresh air. And, of course, the Cemetery offers many people a solemn place to grieve lost friends and family.
Because of your continued support, we are maintaining our momentum in 2025. We will continue our ongoing restoration and preservation of this magnificent space, with projects that include planting new trees to maintain the beautiful urban canopy that we have cultivated for so long, repairing stained glass windows that remain a compelling attraction, and restoring iron fences, the captivating art form that consistently links periods of time and reflects how iron fences were designed, constructed, and used in our community.
None of these accomplishments would be attainable without you, and I am ever grateful for your interest in one of Richmond’s natural and historic treasures.
- J. Mason New
Chair, Friends of Hollywood Cemetery
Corporations, Foundations and Organizations
- Elisabeth Reed Carter Charitable Lead Trust
- Chericoke Foundation
- The M. Louise Chrisman Family Trust
- Cross Timbers Roofing
- Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
- Dominion Energy Foundation Matching Gifts
- Carneal Drew Foundation
- E. B. Duff Charitable Lead
- Elmwood Fund Inc
- Estes Foundation
- Fatherree Foundation
- FNDA GRV
- Herndon Foundation
- Cecil R. & Edna S. Hopkins Family Foundation
- Manuel and Carol Loupassi Foundation
- Sue W. Massie Charitable Trust
- McGue Millhiser Family Trust
- Mraz Charitable Trust DTD
- Mutual Assurance Society of VA
- Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
- Peachtree House Foundation
- The Thomas Fisher Endowed Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation
- Richard S. Reynolds Foundation
- Virginia Sargeant Reynolds Foundation
- Anne Carter and Walter R. Robins, Jr. Foundation
- Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation
- Susan and S. Buford Scott Endowment
- Anne W. Taylor Trust
- Valentine Richmond History Center
- Van Yahres Tree Company
