The Berkeley Rose Garden

Berkeley, since 1912

Neighbor to neighbor giving for over 100 years.

Every December, your kindness becomes cash gifts delivered to over 1,000 Berkeley households. Together, we keep our favorite hometown tradition thriving.

Donate now See how it works

2025 giving

1,111 Individual & household recipients
$140,290 Total distributed
Partner social service agencies 26
Typical gift amounts $100–$250

We work hard to run lean and honor the tradition of simple giving and are happy to share our ongoing impact. Your donations and our all-volunteer board make this possible year after year.

Our model

  1. Neighbors pitch in

    Donations come in all year. Most are between $50 and $500 from residents living right down the road from the families they reach.

  2. Trusted partners connect the dots

    Caseworkers at local Berkeley agencies work in our neighborhoods all year and know who is carrying a heavy load. They share names, and we make the holiday list.

  3. Gifts arrive before the holidays

    Recipients receive cash gift cards ranging from $100 to $250 depending on household size. We value the flexibility of unrestricted gifts and neighbors can spend it how they see fit — a warm coat, holiday groceries, bills, or a surprise under the tree.

More about how it works

Letters we get back

“I don’t know who you are and how you got my name but your gift was a very pleasant surprise. My son and I will be using your gift this holiday season and are greatly thankful for your generosity.”

A recipient

“Thank you so much for the Holiday Fund. I’ve been struggling with homelessness for nearly two years now, that’s my 1 1/2 year old’s whole life. Last Christmas we had nothing but thanks to the Berkeley Holiday Fund I was able to get gifts for both my daughters this year.”

A recipient

“It is difficult for me to say which means more to me; the unexpected check or the fact that there are people in this world who do such incredibly nice things like surprising a neighbor in need. The fact that I am not even known to you makes it even more meaningful.”

A recipient

“Thank you for sharing the holiday fund with me. It really makes a difference when you are a senior on low fixed income. I appreciated your helpful gift very much.”

A recipient
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Neighbor to neighbor giving. We keep it simple: warmth, trust, and no strings attached.

Plenty of seasonal support comes with hurdles — long applications, interviews, or forms asking you to prove your need. We skip all of that. Trusted local partners suggest neighbors who could use a hand, and we send out as many cash gifts as community donations allow. That is the whole arrangement.

It works today just as it has since 1912: trusting our neighbors and celebrating our community together.

Donate now See where it goes

A hard moment doesn’t wait for December. The James M. Kaye Emergency Fund lets partner agencies request quick help at any time of year — how the Emergency Fund works.