Managing a Parks Nonprofit

This section offers lessons and strategies from some of the leading parks organizations in the country, on management basics - structuring an organization, financing, strategic planning - and more.

Building a Nonprofit Parks Organization
Eleven keys to success, developed from those on the inside. Excerpted from Project for Public Spaces' Public Parks, Private Partners.
Establishing a Friends-of-the-Park Group
Based on interviews with leaders of successful park groups, these tip sheets from Partnerships for Parks cover the ins and outs of starting a "friends" group: goals, structure, publicity, money and more.
Transforming a Park Group into an Organization
Informal park groups that want to raise money or achieve longer-term goals need to formalize their structure. Partnerships for Parks shows how.
Comparative Park Management Models
This 2003 study delves into the departmental organization, partnership programs, and funding models and strategies for parks systems in Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston.
New Yorkers for Parks
Prospect Park Alliance Strategic Plan
After ten years, the Prospect Park Alliance developed a strategic plan to institutionalize its growing operation and make it a more effective, permanent and sustainable organization. This plan outlines the Alliance's goals for the future and the seven strategies devised to achieve those goals.
How Partnership Organizations are Structured
Issues to address regarding your organization's staff, as well as the board and its composition. From Project for Public Spaces' Public Parks, Private Partners.
Effective Outreach Techniques
Great advice from Partnership for Parks on how parks groups can draw in new people to support their work.
Effective Strategies for Negotiation
Expert advice on how to set up negotiations that help you - and your partners - get what you need.
Program for Community Problem Solving
Basics of Relationship Building
How to deal with the people who can help you help your park, from Partnership for Parks.
Action For Change
An inspirational speech about reconciling a strong vision for the future with the dirty, day-to-day work neccessary to achieve that vision. From Larry B. McNeil, organizer, Industrial Areas Foundation.
Remaking the Chicago Park District
Forest Claypool, former director of the Chicago Park District, describes the district's work to "downsize, privatize and decentralize," while creating an agency driven by community needs.
A Conservancy Rebuilds and Revitalizes Urban Parkland
Susan Rademacher of the Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy, on how the conservancy was formed and its first steps toward restoring and increasing use in Lousiville's parks.
Bylaws and Other Helpful Documents
Nonprofit bylaws, management tools and a host of other helpful resources can be found at the Internet Nonprofit Center.
Handling Money
A top-notch tip sheet for small parks groups, from New York City's Partnership for Parks.
Non-Profit Nuts & Bolts
Provides practical tips from its monthly printed newsletter to help non-profit executives better manage their organization. Articles cover topics such as fundraising, volunteer management, public relations, special events, committees, and board relations.
The Nonprofit Times
Website of the popular monthly newspaper covering all aspects of nonprofit work, including volunteers.