What is the Seattle Parks Foundation?The Seattle Parks Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and expanding Seattle’s parks and green spaces through fundraising, partnership, and advocacy.
Who founded the Parks Foundation and why?
Seattle Parks Foundation was founded by civic and business leaders in 2001 to provide new, private resources to parks in need of renovation and restoration, and to build new parks when possible. In just six years, we have raised over $24 million and completed 19 park projects, restored three historic park features, and built three brand new parks.
If Seattle Parks Foundation is private, how is it managed?
The Parks Foundation is led by a volunteer board of directors comprised of dedicated community and business leaders and park activists. The board provides the Parks Foundation with leadership and support, creates and guides its vision and goals, and works to ensure the success of its projects. Read more about the board and staff leadership.
How does the Parks Foundation interact with the city parks department?
The Parks Foundation is completely separate from the City Parks Department, Seattle Parks and Recreation. However, the Parks Foundation works closely with Parks and Recreation to ensure that its park projects comply with City codes and guidelines, and to ensure that these projects are maintained in the future. As a federally-recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Seattle Parks Foundation is responsive to donors and retains great flexibility to pursue unique projects that, although valuable to communities and park-goers, are not presently within the City’s priorities and/or budget resources.
Does the Parks Foundation “grant” money to groups managing a park project?
No, the Parks Foundation is not a granting organization. Seattle Parks Foundation works directly with communities to improve parks and green spaces by providing technical assistance, fiscal oversight, and/or project management to park projects. The Parks Foundation chooses park projects based on community need for new or improved parks; donor interest; and the degree to which the project enables the Foundation to fulfill its mission to improve and expand Seattle’s parks and green spaces and make Seattle a better place to live, work, and play by ensuring that vibrant parks are readily available for all to enjoy.
Do you have a question that is not on this list? Email the Parks Foundation, or use our feedback form to send us a message. Thank you for your interest!