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CITY PARKS FOUNDATION INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 133561657 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE N32I · Recreation & Sports · Large ($10M-$50M) · cityparksfoundation.org
revenue
$27.2M
expenses
$23.7M
net assets
$42.8M
employees
533
volunteers
33,283
program ratio
86%
mission · from form 990

TO PROMOTE AND ASSIST IN THE PROGRAMMING AND REVITALIZATION OF NEW YORK CITY'S PARKS AND SUCH OTHER FACILITIES THAT ARE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION ("DPR").

profile · synthesized from sources

City Parks Foundation promotes and revitalizes New York City's parks through programming and community engagement. The organization operates citywide initiatives in arts and culture, youth development, and park stewardship. It produces free public events, including the SummerStage concert series and the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, across all five boroughs.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $3.46M
    FISCAL SPONSORSHIPS: AS FISCAL SPONSOR FOR A NUMBER OF NEW YORK CITY PARK GROUPS AND DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION (DPR) PROGRAMS, CPF HELPS IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE AND USE OF PARKS THROUGH DIRECT PHYSICAL ENHANCEMENTS, ENCOURAGEMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD VOLUNTEERS, AND INNOVATIONS IN DPR OPERATIONS.
  2. #2 $3.00M
    NYC GREEN FUND:IN COLLABORATION WITH A CONSORTIUM OF LEADING PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS, CPF IS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NEW YORK CITY GREEN FUND. THIS FUNDING IS DESIGNATED TO RESPOND TO THE MOST URGENT NEEDS FACING THE GRASSROOTS AND NON-PROFIT STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAINTAIN, PROGRAM AND ACTIVATE NEW YORK CITY OPEN SPACES.
named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
Annual free jazz festival in Harlem and other Manhattan parks featuring renowned and emerging jazz artists
Fiscal Sponsorships
Provides fiscal sponsorship to NYC park groups and Department of Parks & Recreation programs to support park improvements and community engagement
NYC Green Fund
Grants program administered by CPF to support grassroots and nonprofit stewardship organizations maintaining and programming NYC open spaces
SummerStage
Free concert series presenting hundreds of live music, dance, and theater performances annually in parks across New York City's five boroughs
Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre
Presenting modern takes on classic fairy tales through puppet performances in Central Park
Traveling Puppetmobile
Mobile puppet show bringing free family-friendly performances and workshops to parks across the city
activities · 10 groups

What they do

  • Puppetry and Improv Theater Programs 1 activity
    • Delivering free puppet performances and workshops citywide
      Presents free marionette and puppet performances along with puppet-making workshops in neighborhood parks, recreation centers, and schools across all five boroughs through the CityParks PuppetMobile and the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, which hosts weekly low-cost shows year-round in Central Park.
  • Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
    • Ensuring ADA-compliant access to public events
      Provides accessible entrances, exit points, seating, and folding chairs with backs for patrons with disabilities at all events, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and allows companions to accompany individuals in accessible areas.
  • Digital Music and Performance Archiving 1 activity
    • Expanding access to performances through digital platforms
      Launched SummerStage Anywhere in 2020 to provide free digital performances accessible to a global audience, ensuring continued public access to performing arts during periods when in-person events were limited.
  • Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
    • Facilitating volunteer engagement in park stewardship
      Operates the It’s My Park program to connect New Yorkers with volunteer opportunities to care for and improve green spaces across the city, supporting community-led restoration and ongoing maintenance of local parks.
  • Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
    • Funding grassroots stewardship of NYC open spaces
      Funds grassroots and nonprofit organizations that maintain and program open spaces across New York City through the New York City Green Relief and Recovery Fund, distributing 184 grants totaling $3,075,115 in 2021, and administers the New York City Green Fund in collaboration with philanthropic partners.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Operating large-scale public events and festivals
      Hosts major cultural events such as the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival and anniversary celebrations featuring live music, panel discussions, and visual art, including graffiti installations, open to the public across New York City parks.
  • Free Outdoor & Community Theater Productions 1 activity
    • Producing free live performing arts programs in NYC parks
      Produces hundreds of free live music, dance, and theater performances annually across New York City through programs including SummerStage, the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, and the Traveling PuppetMobile. The SummerStage festival alone features over 200 artists in 15–18 parks each year.
  • Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 1 activity
    • Providing fiscal sponsorship for park groups and city programs
      Offers fiscal sponsorship to New York City park groups and Department of Parks and Recreation programs to support physical improvements, volunteer engagement, and operational innovations in city parks.
  • Youth Sports Access and Equipment Support 1 activity
    • Providing free sports and environmental education programs for youth and seniors
      Offers free sports instruction, coaching, and equipment to over 9,000 youth and senior citizens annually in nearly 70 locations across New York City, while also delivering environmental education programs that engage students in science and stewardship of the natural world.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Managing entry logistics for high-demand public performances
      Issues entry wristbands on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 11:00 AM on event days for free public performances, with guaranteed entry provided to Capital One cardholders for select SummerStage events.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$27.24M
Contributions & grants$19.41M71%
Program service revenue$6.34M23%
Investment income$1.93M7%
Other revenue$-439K
expenses
Total expenses$23.75M
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$11.25M
Grants paid out$2.10M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$46.86M
Cash$14.56M
Investments$27.05M
Liabilities$4.01M
Net assets$42.85M
Liquid reserves21.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +16.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 8
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
HEATHER LUBOV EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $334K
SIMON CHU CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40 $229K
MICHAEL SILVERMAN DIRECTOR OF SPORTS 40 $226K
ERICA NEWMAN CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 40 $215K
ROSEMARY RAPOSO JORDA CHIEF MARKETING & DEV. OFFICER 40 $209K
ERIKA ELLIOTT EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 40 $200K
CHRISSY WORD DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION 40 $184K
BRYANT BRADSHAW DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 40 $171K
board members · 17
  • ALEXANDER SLOANE — DIRECTOR
  • ANDY RAMAMOORTHY — DIRECTOR (THRU SEP 2024)
  • AVERY CORMAN — DIRECTOR
  • BILLIE JEAN KING — DIRECTOR
  • BRENDAN O'ROURKE — DIRECTOR
  • CLAIRE G PELLEGRINI CLOUD — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID BARSE — EXECUTIVE CHAIR
  • DAVID MOORE — EXECUTIVE CHAIR
  • DAVID PINTER — DIRECTOR
  • DEBRA FIFE — DIRECTOR
  • DR DERECK SKEETE — DIRECTOR
  • ELAINE CLARK — DIRECTOR
  • ELAINE ZIEMBA — DIRECTOR
  • ELIZABETH SARNOFF — DIRECTOR
  • ERIC PLANEY — DIRECTOR
  • GAIL GORDON — DIRECTOR
  • GARY R BOIGON — DIRECTOR
relationships · 57

Who they work with

  • Archer Roose Wines Partner — Supporting sponsor of SummerStage.
  • Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation Funder — Private funder supporting the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.
  • Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation Funder — Provides generous private support for the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.
  • Bitburger Premium Pils Partner — Supporting sponsor of SummerStage.
  • Bloomberg Philanthropies Partner — Supporting sponsor of SummerStage.
  • Capital One Partner — Collaborates to provide guaranteed entry wristbands to cardholders for select SummerStage events.
  • Capital One Partner — Title sponsor of SummerStage, a City Parks Foundation program.
  • Capital One Partner — Title sponsor of SummerStage.
  • Connelly Foundation Funder — Private funder supporting CityParks PuppetMobile and Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.
  • Connelly Foundation Funder — Provides generous private support for both the CityParks PuppetMobile and the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.
  • Connelly Foundation Funder — Provides generous private support for the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in memory of Judith Connelly Delouvrier.
  • DJ Tony Touch Partner — Performs as part of a City Parks Foundation concert event.
  • Dillon’s Small Batch Spirits Partner — Supporting sponsor of SummerStage.
  • Elizabeth Sarnoff and Andy Cohen Funder — Private donors supporting SummerStage.
  • Historic House Trust Partner — Partner in operating the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.
  • Historic House Trust Partner — Partner in supporting the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.
  • Howard Gilman Foundation Funder — Private funder supporting SummerStage.
  • J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation Funder — Private funder supporting SummerStage.
  • Jazz Foundation of America Partner — Co-hosts the Monday Night Jam as part of the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival ancillary events.
  • Jazz at Lincoln Center Partner — Collaborates on performances during the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival, including joint programming with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
  • Latin Alternative Music Conference Partner — Collaborates with City Parks Foundation to present Spanish-language pop concerts in Central Park.
  • Luis “Breakbeat Lou” Flores Partner — Featured as a panelist and performer in the 40th anniversary celebration of the Ultimate Breaks and Beats compilation.
  • Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Government — Public funder supporting select SummerStage programs.
  • Mertz Gilmore Foundation Funder — Private funder supporting SummerStage.
  • Mitzi and Warren Eisenberg Family Foundation Funder — Private funder supporting SummerStage.
  • Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation Funder — Private funder supporting SummerStage.
  • Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association Partner — Co-presents the “We’re Outside 2026” art exhibit during the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival.
  • NYC Parks Partner — Co-manages the Partnerships for Parks initiative to support community volunteers in caring for neighborhood parks.
  • NYC Parks Partner — Partner in operating CityParks PuppetMobile and Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre programs.
  • NYC Parks Partner — Partner in operating the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.
+ 27 more
strategies · 3

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.

  • Culture-Centered and Place-Based Programming
    methodology: culture-centered programming, culture-and-place-based-programming
    By producing culturally relevant and geographically rooted arts events—such as Latin music, hip-hop history, and jazz tied to local heritage—the organization strengthens community connection and cultural pride because representation in public spaces validates identity and fosters belonging.
  • Parks as Hubs for Community Vitality
    methodology: parks-as-hubs-for-community-vitality
    By transforming parks into vibrant centers of urban life through diverse programming, the organization fosters stronger and more resilient communities because shared public spaces cultivate social cohesion and collective stewardship.
  • Public-Private Partnerships for Programming and Fiscal Sponsorship
    methodology: public-private partnership, fiscal sponsorship
    By leveraging public-private partnerships and fiscal sponsorship, the organization enables sustained programming, physical improvements, and innovation in public parks because blended funding and institutional collaboration expand capacity beyond public-sector limitations.