Minneapolis Parks Foundation

“The organization has an executive committee which is composed of the board chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, immediate past chair, and the executive director. The executive committee has the authority of the board of directors in the management of business of the foundation in the interval between meetings of the board of directors.”

“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 2020.”

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

“Two new program activities: the people for parks fund makes grants for small neighborhood-based projects and programs in minneapolis parks. Reimagining the civic commons is a collaborative effort of national foundations and local partners to transform public spaces in ways that advance engagement, equity, environmental sustainability, and economic development.”

“Riverfirst: the riverfirst initiative is a 20-year vision for transforming 5.5 miles of heavily industrialized mississippi riverfront from downtown minneapolis to the city's northern limit with a series of interconnected parks and trails. The minneapolis parks foundation collaborates with the minneapolis park and recreation board (mprb), the city of minneapolis, and other public and private partners to realize the riverfirst vision of restoring a relationship between under-resourced communities in north minneapolis and the region's greatest natural asset - the mississippi river. The parks foundation's role is to bring private philanthropy to riverfirst and engage the community in order to keep this vision fresh and a priority in the city. In 2020, the parks foundation reached its $18.1m riverfirst capital campaign goal. In achieving this goal, the parks foundation (1) launched and met a $100,000 a challenge grant from edward r. Bazinet charitable foundation; (2) amidst covid-19 guidelines for safe physical distance, connected donors, prospects, and partners to water works and the great northern greenway river link by hosting zoom construction tours and socially distanced in-person tours of the overlook and water works; (3) featured riverfirst in our all-virtual sunrise on the mississippi fundraising event, where we debuted five powerful video stories about water works, the river link's overlook phase, and the impact of the riverfirst campaign; and (4) communicated key project milestones demonstrating program momentum. Water works: water works, one of the signature parks within the riverfirst vision, is representative of an exciting addition to the minneapolis park system and a feature of the central mississippi riverfront regional park. In 2020, construction continued toward an expected spring 2021 opening. Activities this year included (1) documented construction progress; (2) mprb signing of the restaurant agreement with the sioux chef; (3) supported the city of minneapolis's collaboration with indigenous elders on preparation for a public art rfq; (4) participated in project and construction management; and (5) initiated preparation for public opening and subsequent programming. Great northern greenway river link: upstream from water works and within the riverfirst corridor, the great northern greenway river link is a new park which will replace a chain link fence and abandoned lot at the terminus of the 26th avenue north pedestrian and bike trail, known as the great northern greenway. In 2020, construction began on phase 1 of the project, called the overlook, and grand opening is expected in spring 2021. In 2020, the parks foundation (1) sustained community engagement around the project; (2) participated in project and construction management; (3) helped secure $3m in state bond funding for the second phase of the great northern greenway river link; and (4) co-led the great northern greenway steering committee, a community-based advocacy group advancing a unified vision for the trail. Equitable investments throughout minneapolis parks: the minneapolis parks foundation is the only independent donor-supported nonprofit that contributes to the entire minneapolis park system. We collaborate with the community to unlock projects and programs that promote equity and cultural inclusion, health and wellbeing, connections to the natural world, climate resilience, and economic vitality. People for parks fund: newly created in 2020 through our consolidation with people for parks, the people for parks fund carries forward a 40-year legacy of grant making for small neighborhood-based projects and programs in minneapolis parks. In 2020, we (1) completed consolidation and established the people for parks fund; (2) formed the fund's advisory committee, consisting of parks foundation board members and representatives from the community; (3) established grant-making process and criteria to be launched in 2021; and (4) hosted the posters for”

“Change in funds held for others - riverfirst 5,067,382.”

“The organization has not changed its oversight process since the prior year”