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.
2025 Contributors to Friends of Hollywood Cemetery
Because of your continued generous support, Friends of Hollywood Cemetery was able to continue its ongoing capital restoration projects throughout the Cemetery. Since 2008, you have helped us raise more than $7.3 million, which has gone to an array of projects in every corner of the Cemetery. Many of these projects have been featured in our newsletter and in previous annual reports, along with stunning photography from local photographers and others who come from across the globe to visit this special place.
Hollywood Cemetery continues to be a destination, with record-breaking numbers of people visiting this place seeking nature, solace, improved mental health, and a continued destination for walkers, runners, artists, those on Segways, pushing strollers, and walking dogs.
One of the true highlights of this past year was the historic reinterment of Eliza Monroe Hay, the daughter of President Monroe. After her death in Paris in 1840, she was buried in Pere Lachaise Cemetery (a place much like Hollywood Cemetery in the middle of Paris). In 2023, a repatriation campaign to “bring Eliza home” began in earnest and culminated in October 2025 with a grand ceremony. She is now buried in the heart of Presidents Circle at the famous Birdcage Tomb, with her father, President James Monroe, her mother, Elizabeth, and her sister, Maria. It took 185 years, but we have welcomed Eliza home.
Another highlight of the past year was a series of tours and workshops offered at Hollywood Cemetery, including moonlight walks, nature talks, and opportunities to photograph the wildlife that roam the Cemetery at dawn and dusk. Nearly 450 people have engaged in these opportunities and we will continue to offer more of these in 2026.
Thanks to you, we are maintaining our momentum in 2026! We will continue our ongoing restoration of this magnificent space, with projects that include planting new trees to preserve the acclaimed urban canopy that we have cultivated for so long, repairing stained glass windows that remain a compelling attraction, and restoring fences, the captivating art form that consistently links periods of time and reflects how fences were designed, constructed, and used in our community.
None of these accomplishments would be attainable without your support. I am ever grateful for your interest in one of Richmond’s crown jewels.
- J. Mason New
Chairman, Board of Directors
Corporations, Foundations and Organizations
- Altria Matching Gifts Program
- Anne Carter and Walter R. Robins, Jr. Foundation
- Anne W. Taylor Trust
- Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation
- Cabell Foundation
- CAF America Matching Gifts
- Carneal Drew Foundation
- Chericoke Foundation
- E. B. Duff Charitable Lead
- Elisabeth Reed Carter Charitable Lead Trust
- Estes Foundation
- Eterne Films, LLC
- Fatherree Foundation
- Financial Press LLC
- FNDA GRV
- Hamilton Family Foundation
- Herndon Foundation
- Hollywood Cemetery Company
- M & T Bank
- Manuel and Carol Loupassi Foundation
- Marietta M. & Samuel T. Morgan, Jr. Trust
- Mraz Charitable Trust DTD
- Mutual Assurance Society of VA
- Peachtree House Foundation
- Richard and Caroline T. Gwathmey Trust
- Richard S. Reynolds Foundation
- Roller-Bottimore Foundation
- Ruth Camp Campbell Foundation
- RVA on Wheels
- RVATukTuk
- Shelly and Tom Millhiser, McGue Millhiser Family Trust
- Sue W. Massie Charitable Trust
- Susan and S. Buford Scott Endowment
- The Mary Louise Chrisman Family Trust
- The Thomas Fisher Endowed Fund of the
- Philadelphia Foundation
- The William H. – John G. – Emma Scott Foundation
- Valentine Richmond History Center
- Virginia Sargeant Reynolds Foundation
- Wilbur M. Havens Charitable Foundation
