named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Foolish Club Membership Program
Founding membership initiative offering recognition, exclusive perks, and community engagement opportunities to individuals supporting the park's long-term sustainability
Heritage Engagement Project
Community initiative to document the history of the park site and co-create a vision for its future through inclusive public input and storytelling
Levitt VIBE Buffalo Music Series
Annual series of free, family-friendly outdoor concerts featuring diverse musical genres, held in accessible areas of the park during construction and continuing through 2028
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 2 activities
- Develop and transform Ralph Wilson Park infrastructureDesigned, constructed, and renovated park facilities including sports fields, playgrounds, a signature pedestrian bridge, a destination play garden, resilient shoreline, lagoon with wetland plants, kayak launch, and improved trails as part of a $110 million transformation project initiated in 2022.
- Operate and maintain Ralph Wilson ParkResponsible for the ongoing operations, maintenance, horticulture, and sustainability of Ralph Wilson Park, including trails, playgrounds, fields, shoreline, and public amenities, in partnership with the City of Buffalo Parks Department.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Engage community in park planning and stewardshipConducts community-driven planning initiatives such as the Imagine LaSalle process and the Ralph Wilson Park Heritage Engagement Project to co-create a future vision, while engaging volunteers in park beautification, maintenance, and events.
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Free Public Access Nature Sites 1 activity
- Provide public access and recreational programmingEnsures public access for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers; operates free community programming including summer concerts, splash pad, swimming pool, picnic shelters, and off-leash dog park with rental and reservation options.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.71M
Contributions & grants$4.63M98%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$66K1%
Other revenue$13K
expenses
Total expenses$1.34M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$526K
Grants paid out$600K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.12M
Cash$1.68M
Investments$0
Liabilities$14K
Net assets$4.10M
Liquid reserves15.1 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +322.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHRYN CAMPOS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $208K |
| MARK MCGOVERN | DIRECTOR OF PARK OPERATIONS | 40 | $154K |
| KARI BONARO | DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION & ENGAGEMENT | 40 | $107K |
board members · 13
- ANDY RABB — DIRECTOR
- BARBARA DANNER — TREASURER
- BRENDAN MEHAFFY — DIRECTOR
- CHARLES TORRES — VICE CHAIR
- CHIWUIKE OWUNWANNE — DIRECTOR
- CHRISTOPHER SCANLON — DIRECTOR
- DOUGLAS JEMAL — DIRECTOR
- JJ TIGHE — SECRETARY
- JOHN KOELMEL — DIRECTOR
- KAREN UTZ — DIRECTOR
- KEITH BELANGER — CHAIR
- LAWRENCE QUINN — DIRECTOR (THROUGH OCTOBER 2024)
- MARNETTA MALCOLM — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 37
Who they work with
- BUFFALO URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Partner — Co-managing the park transformation project with Gardiner & Theobold.
- BriteSmith Brewing Partner — Hosts monthly Foolish Club happy hours and events.
- Buffalo Funk Fest Partner — Collaborates to present artists in the Levitt VIBE Buffalo Music Series.
- Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Partner — Key partner in the transformation of LaSalle Park to Ralph Wilson Park, involved since the beginning to restore the Buffalo waterfront environment.
- Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s Buffalo Blueway Initiative Partner — Supports shoreline rehabilitation and waterfront restoration efforts.
- City of Buffalo Government — Active project partner through its Division of Parks and Recreation, Buffalo Urban Development Corporation, Department of Community Services, and Mayor’s Office.
- City of Buffalo Government — Partners with the City of Buffalo for park shelter reservations and management.
- City of Buffalo Partner — Collaborates with the Conservancy on park operations, maintenance, and programming.
- City of Buffalo Parks and Recreation Department Partner — Jointly operates and maintains the splash pad and Centennial Pool at Ralph Wilson Park.
- Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Partner — Supported the community-led design process for Ralph Wilson Park.
- Empire State Development Corporation Government — Supports shoreline rehabilitation efforts.
- Gardiner & Theobold Partner — Co-managing the park transformation project with Buffalo Urban Development Corporation.
- Gilbane Building Company Partner — Leading construction management services for the park transformation project.
- Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Government — Provides funding for shoreline rehabilitation in coordination with NOAA and EPA.
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York Blue Fund Funder — Provided funding support for the Play Garden at Ralph Wilson Park.
- Imagine LaSalle Focus Group Partner — Evolved into the Community Working Group to support community involvement in the park's reimagining.
- Levitt Family Foundation Funder — Provides partial support for the Levitt VIBE Buffalo Music Series to bring free live music to Ralph Wilson Park.
- Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Partner — Designed the park in collaboration with the City of Buffalo and other project partners.
- NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Supports shoreline rehabilitation efforts.
- NYS Empire Trail Network — Ralph Wilson Park is a segment of the NYS Empire Trail, which includes the Shoreline Trail connecting Buffalo Harbor State Park to points north.
- NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation Government — Supports shoreline rehabilitation efforts.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Government — Supports shoreline rehabilitation in coordination with EPA and GLRI funding.
- National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program Funder — Provided funding support for the Play Garden at Ralph Wilson Park.
- New York State Government — Provides support for shoreline rehabilitation through multiple state agencies.
- Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade Partner — Collaborates to present artists in the Levitt VIBE Buffalo Music Series.
- Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Funder — Lead funder with a $50 million commitment to support the transformation of the former LaSalle Park into Ralph Wilson Park.
- Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Funder — Provided a lead gift to initiate the $110M design and development of Ralph Wilson Park.
- Sunday Skateshop Partner — Integral partner in the construction and renovation of the skate park.
- The Big Easy in Buffalo Partner — Collaborates to present artists in the Levitt VIBE Buffalo Music Series.
- Tony Hawk Partner — Sponsored the skate park renovations, contributing to its regional prominence.
+ 7 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Activation Through Public Programming and Designmethodology: community-programmingBy integrating culturally resonant play spaces, public events, and recreational infrastructure, the organization activates public use and strengthens community ties, because programming and design that reflect local identity and support diverse activities increase visitation and foster belonging.
- Community-Driven Park Planning and Governancemethodology: community-driven planningBy involving the community in planning and governance processes, the organization ensures that park development and management are responsive to public needs and equitable in outcomes, because inclusive decision-making leads to greater ownership, engagement, and sustainability of public spaces.
- Ecological Restoration for Public and Environmental Benefitmethodology: ecological restorationBy using native vegetation and naturalistic designs informed by regional ecology, the organization enhances biodiversity, supports migratory species, and improves environmental resilience, because ecologically grounded park design creates sustainable public spaces that benefit both people and nature.
- Inclusive Access Through Symbolic and Gifted Membershipmethodology: pay-it-forward_inclusion_modelBy offering a symbolic membership fee and a "Pay It Forward" model, the organization expands access to park benefits across socioeconomic groups, because lowering financial and symbolic barriers fosters broader inclusion and reflects a legacy of civic investment.
- Phased Construction to Maintain Public Accessmethodology: phased-access constructionBy implementing construction in phases, the organization minimizes park closures and maintains continuous public access, because uninterrupted access sustains community engagement and prevents disconnection during transformation.