Citywide park nonprofits play a vital role in urban parks systems. They advocate for equitable park investments, empower local residents to engage with their parks, raise funds for projects and programs, champion the impacts of urban parks, and promote the need for greater public support and investment.
Whether your city has an established park nonprofit or is looking to start one, join us to learn about the essential functions of these organizations. Hear from nonprofits across the country and connect with peers to learn how to build or strengthen your city’s park nonprofit.
Our panel will feature leaders from Akron Parks Collaborative and Portland Parks Foundation (OR). Learn how they were founded, their governance structures and partnerships with city agencies, and how they fund their own operations and grassroots initiatives. Plus, learn about their biggest challenges and the strategies behind their success.
SPEAKERS
Bridget Ambrisco
Executive Director, Akron Parks Collaborative
Bridget is the Executive Director for Akron Parks Collaborative, where she works in partnership with the City of Akron to revitalize neighborhood parks with community engagement and equity as core guiding principles. As a founder of the organization, she has managed the transformation of 15 parks and has leveraged $2.1 million of City funds and $1.2 million in private funds and government grants.
Jessica Green
Executive Director, Portland Parks Foundation
Jessica joined the Portland Parks Foundation in 2017. During her time at PPF, she has overseen operations, governance, finance, and programs until becoming their Executive Director in early 2024. Through collaborative partnerships, Jessica envisioned and inaugurated PPF’s Friends & Allies initiatives including twice-annual summits, emerging leadership and volunteer awards, and their small grants program.
Jamal Boddie
Executive Director, Bloom (Memphis, TN)
Jamal Boddie is the Executive Director for Bloom, Inc., a park advocacy nonprofit in Memphis that focuses on creating stewards and parks friend’s groups for neighborhood parks. As a native Memphian, Jamal cares deeply for Memphis and seeing it grow and improve.
FACILITATOR
Diana Colangelo
Assistant Director of Programs, City Parks Alliance
Diana joined City Parks Alliance in 2019 and serves as Assistant Director of Programs. Diana manages several of the Alliance’s programs, including workshops, webinars, peer conversations, technical assistance work in cities across the country, and other capacity-building initiatives designed to strengthen cross-sector park partnerships.
JOIN AS A TEAM
Register up to four people from your city and enjoy discounted rates! We encourage you to attend this workshop with your partners in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors to strengthen your parks citywide.
Registration Fees:
Individual member: $50
Individual non-member: $80
Team of 2 with at least one member: $90
Team of 2, non-member: $150
Team of 3, with at least one member: $120
Team of 3, non-member: $210
Team of 4 with at least one member: $140
Team of 4, non-member: $260
REGISTER
If you are signing up as a team of 2-4, please designate one person to register. To complete registration:
- Complete the form below.
- Have your City Parks Alliance Member ID ready to receive member rates.
- Submit payment via credit card.
- If you are registering a team, include member details to receive the curriculum before the workshop. However, you do not need to identify all team members in the registration form to receive the team rate. We will contact you to gather this information later.
SOLD OUT
Thank you for your interest. This workshop is now fully booked. Check back soon for future events and opportunities.
