What is Seattle Parks Foundation?
Seattle Parks Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization working with public and private partners. Since 2001, Seattle Parks Foundation has completed 27 park projects and secured more than $28 million for parks and green spaces in Seattle.

Mission: Seattle Parks Foundation improves, expands, and creates parks and green spaces, building a more vibrant community.

Vision: Seattle will be a city of great parks and green spaces.  Parks are the heart of Seattle, where we go to play, relax, explore, and connect with each other.  Seattle’s park system will be easily accessible for all to enjoy.

Who founded the Parks Foundation and why?
Seattle Parks Foundation was founded by civic and business leaders in 2001 to provide new public and private resources to parks in need of renovation and restoration, and to build new parks when possible.

If Seattle Parks Foundation is private, how is it managed?
Seattle 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 Seattle Parks Foundation interact with the city parks department?
Seattle 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, Seattle 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!