- ABOUT US
- Partnerships & Donations
Partnerships & Donations
The Partnerships Division seeks to create partnerships with individuals, community groups, foundations, and corporate sponsors to support parks and recreational programming. The Division assists private sector partners in supporting projects that make parks and recreational programs better for all. For more information about partnering with RPD, email recparkpartnerships@sfgov.org
WHY PARTNER WITH SF REC AND PARK?
Because parks and recreational opportunities are important. Clean, safe, and accessible parks and playgrounds are crucial factors in the quality of life for adults and children. Research underscores that parks, playgrounds, trails, and open spaces help keep people fit, healthy, and connected to their community.
Because you are important. In order for San Francisco to remain one of the best park systems in the county, we seek to partner with groups that can bring creativity, knowledge of community needs and funding to all our parks.
THE PATH FROM GREAT IDEA TO SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION
Examples of Potential Project Ideas
- Playground Renovations
- Landscape Improvements
- Lighting Improvements
- Master Plan Development
- Field Renovations
- Recreation Center Upgrades
Things to Consider
- Does your idea further the Recreation and Park Department’s Mission?
- Does it solve a park problem?
- Does your idea have support from neighbors, the community, and park users across the city?
- Do you have a plan and a budget for your idea?
- Are you committed to spending time and energy on working with us to develop your idea?
- Are you committed to raising funds to complete the project?
- Do you have the organizational and administrative capacity for this project?
Common Steps
Every park is unique. Every project is unique. Depending on the scope of the project, the process will vary, but the following steps usually apply.
- Develop and refine idea with the help of Partnerships Division staff who can seek input from Rec Park staff across the Department
- Develop conceptual plan and project agreement
- Plan and schedule community meetings and seek input from park users
- Determine required City reviews, such as Rec Park, Mayor’s Office of Disability and City Planning Department
- Present and seek project approval from Recreation and Park Commission, and if applicable, from other city agencies and Board of Supervisors
- Raise funds for the project
- Build the project
- Provide ongoing stewardship of the project
How do I get started?
Project ideas are first reviewed by Rec Park Partnership staff. Please send your idea and any supporting documents to recparkpartnerships@sfgov.org.
The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department provides nearly 800,000 San Franciscans with essential opportunities to maintain healthy, active lifestyles. We maintain more than 220 neighborhood parks and playgrounds, and over 4,000 acres of recreational and open spaces. We care for recreation centers and clubhouses as well as the Marina Yacht Harbor, Candlestick Park, the San Francisco Zoo, and the Lake Merced Complex. The city’s parkland includes nine swimming pools, six golf courses, and numerous tennis courts, ball diamonds, basketball courts, community gardens and off-leash dog areas. Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras provide San Franciscans with an essential escape from our urban environment.
All of these green spaces and facilities add immensely to the quality of life of all San Franciscans. We are dedicated to maintaining and improving these resources, but we need your help. Each year, we are faced with extensive budget cuts that threaten the essential programs San Franciscans rely on. Please consider the many opportunities to contribute, as described below. Your financial contributions are fully tax-deductible and will be earmarked for the program of your choice.
Commemorative Benches
The Commemorative Bench Program is a unique and lasting way to remember those who have passed, honor those who have made great achievements, or celebrate those who have reached milestones in their lives. For more information about the Commemorative Bench Program, please visit the San Francisco Parks Alliance.
General Operating Support
General operating gifts provides essential support to keep our recreation center doors open to the community, maintain our parks and open spaces, and help to secure our future.
Scholarships
We offer assistance to eligible San Francisco residents through our Recreation Scholarship Fund. Eligibility in our Scholarship Program entitles needy residents to at least a 50% discount and as much as 100% off program registration. Families can enroll by meeting income level restrictions or by submitting documentation of enrollment in other subsidized programs. Scholarships are offered to all of our programs, including Cultural Arts Programs; Community Service Programs such as Tiny Tots; Athletics Programs such as Girls Sports, and Leisure Services Programs such as Aquatics or Outdoor Recreation.
Previous Gifts and Donations
- FY 20-21- Donations and Gifts Report
- FY 19-20 - All Donations Report.pdf
- FY-18-19 Donations and Gifts Report
- FY-17-18-Donations-Report.pdf
- FY-16-17-Donations-Report.pdf
- FY-15-16-Donations-Report.pdf
- FY-14-15-Donations-Report.pdf
- FY-13-14-Donations-Report.pdf
- FY-12-13-Donations-Report.pdf
- FY-11-12-Donations-Report.pdf
- FY-10-11-Donations-Report.pdf
- FY-09-10-Donations-Report.pdf
- FY08_09.pdf
- FY07_08.pdf
- Form 802 Crab Fest 2020.pdf
Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
- San Francisco Parks Alliance MOU (PDF)
Note: In May 2022, this MOU was extended for one year to May 2023 through mutual written agreement of the Parks Alliance and the Recreation and Park Department. - San Francisco Parks Alliance Reports, Financials and Policies
- San Francisco Parks Alliance 2020 Form 990 (PDF)
- San Francisco Parks Alliance Audit Report 2020 (PDF)
- San Francisco Parks Alliance Donor Disclosure Form 8.31.2021 (PDF)