Minneapolis Parks Foundation

“The foundation updated the language of its mission statement. The fundamental mission of the foundation did not change.”

“A draft of the form 990 is reviewed by management and by the finance committee of the board. A draft is then given to the full board of directors, who reviews and approves it at a meeting before the form 990 is submitted to the irs.”

“The foundation's conflict of interest policy applies to "responsible persons," as defined in the policy as directors, members of committee with the authority of the board, and officers. Responsible persons receive a copy of the conflict of policy once a year and then complete a conflict of interest disclosure form. These forms are reviewed by the executive director. In addition, when a conflict of interest arises at a board or committee meeting, the person with the conflict is required to disclose all facts about the conflict at the meeting. The board or committee reviews each conflict during the meeting and decides how to proceed on the decision. The person with the conflict does not vote on the matter and may be required to leave the room during the vote. The disclosure, review, and decision are recorded in the meeting's minutes.”

“The executive director's compensation was reviewed and determined by the executive committee, using compensation data from comparable organizations state-wide and across the nation. The deliberation was held in executive session (no staff) and was documented with a letter from the chair to the executive director, with a copy to the staff member who handles payroll. This process was last completed in 2017.”

“The organization does not makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“To transform human lives through parks & public spaces by aligning philanthropic investment & community vision.”

“The parks foundation discontinued the "minne the lake creature" sculpture program.”

“Riverfirst:the riverfirst initiative is a 20-year vision for creating the next generation of parks along 5.5 miles of the mississippi river in downtown minneapolis. The parks foundation's goal is to work with minneapolis park and recreation board (mprb) to realize the vision of extending the iconic string of parks and trails that line the mississippi further north, as outlined in the above the falls plan. When the riverfirst vision is fully realized, the mississippi river will be better connected to minneapolis neighborhoods that have not benefited fully from the grand rounds and legacy parks that traditionally have defined minneapolis for generations. The parks foundation's role is to bring private philanthropy to riverfirst and to engage the community in order to keep this vision fresh and a priority in the city. In 2017, the parks foundation (1) reached a milestone of $13.4 million secured or committed to the riverfirst capital campaign, begun in 2015, (2) launched pre-construction site activity at water works in advance of the 2018 groundbreaking and projected completion date of 2019, (3) partnered with the mprb on land acquisition options related to the great northern greenway river link project and undertook administration of the great northern greenway committee, (4) implemented a summer-long community engagement and youth-design program involving 16 apprentices evaluating the great northern greenway river link site and its connections to north minneapolis, and (5) communicated key project milestones demonstrating program momentum. Water works: water works is representative of an exciting addition to the minneapolis park system and a feature of the future saint anthony falls regional park. In 2017, the parks foundation (1) presented and adopted the final schematic design for the water works site, which embeds the future park pavilion in existing mill remnants, (2) announced the intent to partner with the sioux chef on the restaurant/event venue, (3) initiated preliminary site work, including the deconstruction of the condemned fuji-ya structure and preliminary archeology, (4) advanced the private-public partnership to implement an innovative rainwater re-use system within the future park, and (5) promoted the importance of water works to the city of minneapolis and the park system through social media, print, and video. Next generation of parks (tm) lecture series: through the next generation of parks (tm) lecture series, the parks foundation invites global design innovators and local thought leaders to showcase the most exciting new park destinations and delve into important issues affecting our vibrant city and region. The aim of the program is to introduce the twin cities community to new, engaging, and critically acclaimed work that focuses on specific 21st century approaches to comprehensive park planning and design. In 2017, the parks foundation hosted three lectures that explored (1) how cities are redeveloping waterfronts for environmental, cultural, and recreational advancement (mark johnson, march); (2) the role of outdoors and unstructured play in family and social development (janet lansbury, may); and (3) new urbanism and design for civic impact (gia biagi, october). We engaged more than 800 people through this speaker series and related events. Minneapolis parks fellow: the parks fellow is an adjunct position of the minneapolis parks foundation that leverages expertise in park design and planning to address significant opportunities and issues facing our park system today and in the future. During 2015-2017, the inaugural minneapolis parks fellow, bruce chamberlain, is concentrating on riverfirst implementation, with an emphasis on water works and the great northern greenway river link. In addition, he is overseeing research assistants from the university of minnesota and providing additional consulting services to mprb through the parks foundation. In 2017, the parks fellow also (1) developed plans and pr”

“Project management: program service expenses 109,992. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 109,992. Professional fees - other: program service expenses 40,561. Management and general expenses 6,117. Fundraising expenses 4,031. Total expenses 50,709. Graphic design: program service expenses 5,918. Management and general expenses 1,439. Fundraising expenses 1,320. Total expenses 8,677.”

“Change in funds held for others - riverfirst -1,509,821.”