San Diego Parks Foundation

What San Diego Parks Foundation does

San Diego Parks Foundation (SDPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation incorporated in California in 2018 (EIN 83-2553368) and headquartered at 1180 Rosecrans Street in San Diego. The organization is the only foundation specifically dedicated to San Diego's municipal park system, working alongside the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department to activate, fund, and advocate for parks across 400+ parks, 59-62 recreation centers, and 42,400 acres of parkland. SDPF addresses a documented $200+ million park maintenance funding gap and equity-driven park-access disparities, particularly in South and Central San Diego neighborhoods designated as Communities of Concern.

SDPF's service portfolio spans youth programming (Come Play Outside, Parks After Dark, I Love My Park Day, City-Wide Sports, Teen Nite, Nature Camp, Swim Lessons, Deep Sea Fishing, Movies in the Park), youth leadership (Park Ambassadors for ages 16-24, Angel Castro Scholarship Fund), environmental infrastructure (Urban Greening, Tree Planting, Community Gardens), capital projects (Fanuel Street Park Renovation), advocacy (Libraries and Parks 4 All ballot initiative), and volunteer engagement. Revenue is generated through four primary streams: recurring individual donations via the Champions for Parks monthly giving program (tiers $20-$500/month), corporate sponsorships and grants from foundations such as Price Philanthropies, Walmart Foundation, Albertsons Foundation, and Conrad Prebys Foundation, signature fundraising events (Undertow Charity Golf Classic at Torrey Pines, A Walk in the Park gala, Sunset Soirée), and paid corporate group volunteer experiences ($500+). FY2023 financials reported $1,425,033 in total revenue against $1,115,696 in total expenses, with $901,245 (roughly 81%) directed to program services.

The organization operates with a small staff (11-50 employees including President/CEO Leona Sublett, appointed December 2023 as the foundation's first CEO), is governed by an active volunteer board of directors, and maintains a 77%+ public support ratio qualifying it as a publicly supported nonprofit. SDPF does not develop or deploy proprietary technology; its competitive positioning rests on its exclusive municipal partnership, donor ecosystem, and advocacy leadership rather than technical differentiation.

Name

San Diego Parks Foundation

Legal name

San Diego Parks Foundation

Website

https://sandiegoparksfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

San Diego Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds, activates, and advocates for San Diego's 400+ park system alongside the City Parks and Recreation Department, delivering youth programming, park improvements, and equity-focused community initiatives for underserved neighborhoods.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Park advocacy and community recreation nonprofit services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK), Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Park advocacy nonprofit
• Community recreation programs
• Environmental urban greening
• Youth outdoor education
• Corporate volunteer engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Monthly Giving: Individual donors contribute through one-time gifts or recurring monthly donations via the Champions for Parks monthly giving program. The foundation receives unrestricted public donations and serves as a repository for legacy gifts.
2. Corporate Sponsorships and Grants: Funding from corporations, family foundations, and government grants. Key partners include City of San Diego, County of San Diego, Price Philanthropies, Walmart Foundation, Albertsons Foundation, and other corporate sponsors.
3. Fundraising Events: Revenue from signature events including the Undertow Charity Golf Classic at Torrey Pines Golf Course and A Walk in the Park gala. Foursome registration ranges from $2,600-$2,900.
4. Group Volunteer Experiences: Corporate volunteer experiences starting at $500 for non-partner companies; service groups charged $20 per person with minimum $200.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

San Diego Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises private funds to improve parks, activate public spaces through free community programming, and advocate for sustainable park funding. Its core offerings include youth recreation programs (Come Play Outside, Parks After Dark, I Love My Park Day, City-Wide Sports), environmental initiatives (Urban Greening, Community Gardens, Tree Planting), youth workforce development (Park Ambassadors), capital improvement projects (Fanuel Street Park), and signature fundraising events.

Product overview

San Diego Parks Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3), EIN 83-2553368) rather than a technology product company. Its offerings consist of community programs and initiatives designed to improve park access and quality in San Diego. The portfolio includes youth programming (Come Play Outside, Parks After Dark, I Love My Park Day, City-Wide Sports, Movies in the Park, Teen Nite, Nature Camp, Swim Lessons, Deep Sea Fishing, Summer Camps), youth leadership development (Park Ambassadors, Angel Castro Scholarship Fund), environmental initiatives (Urban Greening, Tree Planting, Community Gardens), advocacy efforts, volunteer opportunities, capital projects (Fanuel Street Park Renovation), donor programs (Champions for Parks monthly giving), and fundraising events (Undertow Charity Golf Classic, A Walk in the Park, Sunset Soirée). The organization does not offer software products, APIs, or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Champions for Parks: Monthly giving program for donors who support equitable park access.
• Park Ambassadors
• Come Play Outside
• Parks After Dark
• I Love My Park Day
• City-Wide Sports

Products and services

• Come Play Outside Free summer program providing aquatics, adventure camp, Teen Nite, and Movies in the Park at 21 recreation centers and aquatic centers in South and Central San Diego neighborhoods; serves youth and families in 'Communities of Concern'.
• Parks After Dark Free summer evening series held 5PM-8PM at City Heights, Linda Vista, Memorial, Skyline Hills, and Silver Wing recreation centers with movie nights, live music, games, and community resources for residents.
• I Love My Park Day Annual day of free multicultural and multigenerational activities including music, theatre, art, crafts, games, sports clinics, and tournaments held in San Diego parks.
• City-Wide Sports City-wide youth sports tournaments and leagues including flag football, soccer, futsal, softball, and volleyball for youth ages U10-U17 across San Diego recreation centers.
• Teen Nite Free teen activities program held every Friday from 5:30PM-8:30PM at ten recreation centers, featuring food, entertainment, sports, crafts, music, video games, and inflatables.
• Nature Camp Summer day camp offering hands-on activities, hiking, science projects, and outdoor adventures designed to inspire curiosity and a love of the outdoors for children.
• Swim Lessons Swim lessons provided at Memorial and Martin Luther King Jr. pools; registration requires participant evaluation by SDPF staff and an SDRecConnect account.
• Deep Sea Fishing Deep sea fishing trips providing outdoor recreational experiences for San Diego youth and families through the Come Play Outside program.
• Park Ambassadors Youth leadership and workforce development program for ages 16-24 in low-income areas, providing mentorship, community service, civic engagement, and job placement support with the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department.
• Urban Greening and Community Gardens Environmental initiative combining a citywide tree planting project with community garden development and urban forestry work to grow San Diego's urban canopy and advance climate resilience. Includes the Linda Vista community garden in partnership with Bayside Community Center.
• Advocacy Public policy advocacy program partnering with community groups and nonprofits to advance systemic change ensuring every San Diegan has access to quality parks and recreational opportunities, including ballot initiatives for sustainable funding.
• Fanuel Street Park Renovation Capital project to rebuild Fanuel Street Park as a safe, inclusive, and developmentally rich playground in Pacific Beach, including ADA-compliant play structures and toddler zones, in partnership with Zoom Recreation.
• Champions for Parks Monthly Giving Program Recurring monthly donation program for individual donors with tiered levels (Patron $20, Advocate $100, Steward $250, Guardian $500 per month) offering recognition benefits and supporting equitable park access.
• Angel Castro Scholarship Fund Scholarship fund honoring Angel Castro's legacy that supports young learners to experience nature, outdoor education, and camp programs across San Diego.
• Volunteer Program Volunteer engagement program offering trail maintenance, trash pickups, and park beautification for individuals and groups; corporate volunteer experiences start at $500, with service group pricing at $20/person ($200 minimum).
• Undertow Charity Golf Classic Annual charity golf tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Course raising funds for San Diego parks; North Course foursome $2,600, South Course foursome $2,900, includes tournament play, meals, contests, and awards reception.
• A Walk in the Park Signature fundraising gala with park-themed dinner stations, cocktails, guided park tours, live music, and desserts supporting local park improvements; $150 per ticket.

Quantifiable outcome

• 120,000 families received free food and family event access
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• City of San Diego Parks and Recreation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary strategic partner for all park improvement projects, programming, and advocacy. SDPF works alongside City Parks and Recreation to activate public spaces, fund capital improvements, and deliver community programs at parks and recreation centers.
• County of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey government partner alongside City of San Diego. County Health and Human Services Agency provides support for programs including Come Play Outside and Parks After Dark.
• County of San Diego Health and Human Services AgencymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Live Well San Diego initiative supporting Parks After Dark and Come Play Outside programs.
• City of San Diego Commission for Arts and CulturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for I Love My Park Day events and community programming.
• San Diego Public Library FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Libraries and Parks 4 All advocacy initiative to place citizen's initiative on November 2024 ballot for sustainable park and library funding.
• Bayside Community CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for first-ever community garden in a public park at Linda Vista. SDPF implemented formal partnership in 2022 working with Schmidt Design on conceptual design.
• Zoom RecreationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert partner helping bring new Fanuel Street Park playground to life. Committed to creating engaging, inclusive recreational spaces.
• Torrey Pines Golf CoursemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Undertow Charity Golf Classic, one of the most coveted golf destinations with breathtaking coastal views.
• Feeding San DiegominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity resource partnership providing food assistance information to park visitors and program participants.
• San Diego Hunger CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity resource partnership connecting people to food assistance resources in San Diego County.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates parks and protects land for people, including a strong urban-parks focus through its '10-Minute Walk' and ParkScore programs. Closest functional analog to SDPF's mission of ensuring equitable access to quality urban parks, but operating at national scale.
• American Forests: National conservation organization with a dedicated urban forestry program (Tree Equity Score) that closely aligns with SDPF's Urban Greening and tree-planting initiatives in park-deficient neighborhoods.
• City Parks Alliance: National membership organization advancing urban parks through advocacy, research, and programming — directly paralleling SDPF's park-improvement and public-policy advocacy model, albeit as an industry convener rather than a direct service provider.
• Parks Foundation (Newark): City-specific parks foundation supporting the Newark park system through fundraising, programming, and advocacy. Direct structural analog to SDPF: small staff, urban focus, equity-driven programming, and partnership with municipal parks department.
• San Diego River Park Foundation: Regional nonprofit focused on conservation, restoration, and public access along the San Diego River. Operates in the same geography and similarly combines volunteer-driven restoration, advocacy, and urban greening — the closest regional peer to SDPF.

Broad incumbents

• Keep America Beautiful: National nonprofit focused on litter prevention, waste reduction, and beautification of public spaces — overlapping SDPF's volunteer beautification, tree planting, and community engagement work at the park level.
• The Conservation Fund: National nonprofit that works at the intersection of conservation and community development. Comparable to SDPF through its dual focus on land/environmental stewardship and community benefit, though operating at regional/national scale.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development financial institution investing in healthy neighborhoods. SDPF's equity-driven park investments in South/Central San Diego communities share the same place-based, underserved-community orientation as LISC's local programs.
• National Recreation and Park Association: The leading national nonprofit dedicated to advancing park and recreation professionals and infrastructure. Provides the broader professional, policy, and certification framework within which SDPF's local advocacy and programming operate.

Regional players

• Santa Monica Mountains Fund: Regional nonprofit supporting parks and open space in the Santa Monica Mountains, operating in a similar Southern California geography. Comparable as a parks-focused fundraising and volunteer-mobilization nonprofit, though primarily focused on natural areas rather than urban neighborhood parks.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iluvparkssd
• Facebookfacebook.com/sandiegoparksfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-diego-parks-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/sandiegoparksfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about San Diego Parks Foundation