Parks & People Foundation

What Parks & People Foundation does

Parks & People Foundation is a Baltimore-based nonprofit founded in 1984 that operates at the intersection of urban green space development and youth education, serving Baltimore City residents, particularly in East and West Baltimore neighborhoods characterized as the "Black Butterfly" with historically limited access to healthy green spaces. The organization's core operations are organized around three integrated programs: park revitalization services (design, fundraising, construction management, and community engagement that have transformed 40 acres across 33 neighborhoods through 52 completed projects and impacted 108,816 residents), SuperKids Camp (a free six-week summer STEAM enrichment program for rising 1st-5th graders operating at five school sites), and Branches (a paid after-school internship and workforce development program for Baltimore City high schoolers). Supplementary operations include a 9-acre West Baltimore campus at 2100 Liberty Heights Ave that functions as both program hub and rental venue for community events.

The organization does not operate proprietary technology; its delivery model is people-intensive and built on physical park construction, in-person environmental education, and community volunteer engagement. Underlying program partners include Chesapeake Bay Foundation (oyster restoration), Tree Baltimore, Johns Hopkins BSEC (weather station installation, air/water/soil sampling), NOAA, Outward Bound, Living Classrooms Foundation (sailing education), and Art with a Heart (mosaic stepping stones), indicating a curated network of experiential learning providers.

Revenue mechanics are entirely nonprofit in nature, generated through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and signature fundraising events such as Picnic in the Park, which raised $135,777 in 2025. Major financial partners include the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (2026 State Revitalization Program), United Healthcare, Abell Foundation, Hackerman Foundation, and Meyerhoff Charitable Family Funds, with corporate volunteer partnerships spanning JPMorgan Chase, Truist, Morgan Stanley, Turner Construction, M&T Bank, Constellation Energy, and the Baltimore Ravens. Distribution occurs exclusively through direct community engagement, school-based programming across 18 schools, and on-campus delivery; all youth programs are free to participants, and the business model is donation- and grant-funded rather than fee-based.

Name

Parks & People Foundation

Legal name

Parks & People

Website

https://parksandpeople.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Parks & People Foundation is a Baltimore-based nonprofit founded in 1984 that builds urban green spaces and runs free youth education programs, serving Baltimore City residents in underserved neighborhoods across 33 communities and engaging 750+ students annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Environmental Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

Keywords

• Urban park revitalization
• Environmental education
• Youth workforce development
• Community green spaces
• Nonprofit park services

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization operates as a nonprofit relying on donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. The annual signature fundraiser Picnic in the Park raised $135,777 in 2025. Donors can give online, set up recurring contributions, or explore legacy and corporate giving options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Parks & People Foundation is a Baltimore-based nonprofit that revitalizes urban green spaces and delivers free youth environmental education programs. The organization transforms vacant lots into community parks across 33 neighborhoods while operating youth programs including SuperKids Camp (free summer STEAM camp for elementary students) and Branches (paid internship for high schoolers focused on green careers).

Product overview

Parks & People Foundation is a nonprofit organization offering community-focused programs and services centered on parks and green spaces in Baltimore. The organization operates a portfolio of youth development programs including SuperKids Camp (a free summer camp for elementary students) and Branches (a paid high school internship focused on green careers), alongside park revitalization services that transform neglected urban spaces into vibrant community parks. The organization also operates its 9-acre West Baltimore campus as a public space and rental venue, creating a unified ecosystem connecting communities through environmental education, youth empowerment, and green space development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SuperKids Camp

Quantifiable outcome

• 40 acres revitalized across 33 neighborhoods
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Morgan StanleyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 May 2026Day of Service supporter for SuperKids Camp youth empowerment programs.
• Living Classrooms FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2026Environmental education partnership for Branches interns. Youth program participants sail on Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Patapsco River to learn about local history, ecology, and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
• Turner ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 April 2026Corporate volunteer partner for Whitelock Community Farm. Turner Construction employees completed 18 hours of volunteer work including re-mulching pathways, weeding, planting pollinator flowers, and preparing compost.
• KABOOM!coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026Playground construction partner for rapid-build playground installations. KABOOM! partnered with Parks & People and Baltimore City Public Schools to build playgrounds in one day at Hamilton Elementary/Middle School (Phase I), Leith Walk Elementary/Middle School, and Johnston Square Elementary School.
• JPMorgan ChaseminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 July 2025Financial literacy programming partner for Branches summer interns. Provided educational sessions on financial topics.
• TruistminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 July 2025Financial literacy programming partner for Branches summer interns alongside JPMorgan Chase.
• Greater Maryland Cultural Coalition (GMCC)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 April 2025Awarding body for The Next 50 Award recognizing Zianab Sankoh's community and volunteer engagement work.
• Maryland Transit AdministrationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2025Annual Earth Day Art Competition partnership. MTA partners with Maryland Department of Education, Maryland Department of Environment, and Parks & People to hold the competition on Parks & People's campus.
• Baltimore RavensminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 April 2025NFL team partnered for Earth Day beautification at Hamilton Elementary/Middle School. Team employees joined M&T Bank and Constellation Energy for spring garden preparation.
• M&T BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 April 2025Corporate partner for Earth Day 2025 volunteer event at Hamilton Elementary/Middle School.
• Constellation EnergyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 April 2025Corporate partner for Earth Day 2025 volunteer event at Hamilton Elementary/Middle School.
• Opera BaltimoreminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2024Opera Baltimore is Artist-in-Residence at Garrett-Jacobs Mansion. Partnered with Parks & People for 'Fall for Opera' series bringing free opera performances to the campus.
• Shakespeare Beyond / Chesapeake Shakespeare CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 August 2024Free arts and cultural programming partner bringing theater performances to Parks & People's campus. Shakespeare Beyond program focuses on reaching communities with limited access to the arts.
• Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government partner for park projects. Parks & People works alongside BCRP to ensure every neighborhood has access to healthy play spaces and community playgrounds.
• Lafayette Square CDCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity development partner for Frances Ellen Harper Park. Helps maintain the park post-construction.
• Department of Public Works GROW CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Wonder-full Backyards Seed Swap event, providing resources and expertise for community gardening initiatives.
• Greater Mondawmin Coordinating CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community partner for events and initiatives in the Mondawmin area.
• Maryland ZoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighboring organization and community partner for events. Located adjacent to Parks & People's campus.
• Whitelock Community FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner in Reservoir Hill. Parks & People volunteers support the farm through corporate day of service events.
• Tree BaltimoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partner for Branches program. Provided tree planting education and planted 8 native trees with interns.
• Chesapeake Bay FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental education partner for Branches program, engaging interns in oyster restoration activities.
• Johns Hopkins Baltimore Social-Environmental Collaborative (BSEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing environmental education sessions on air quality, atmospheric pressure, water quality, and soil sampling. Installed campus weather station with interns.
• Art with a HeartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts education partner for Branches program. Created and installed 35 mosaic stepping stones with interns.
• NOAAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner providing virtual sessions on environmental careers for Branches interns.
• Outward BoundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutdoor education partner for Branches program. Provides team-building experiences including ropes courses.
• Graham ProjectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesign and architecture partner providing drone photography and design services for Hamilton project.
• D.A. DunlevyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor for Hamilton Elementary/Middle School renovation.
• Rebuild Johnston SquareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Henrietta Lacks Educational Park project in Johnston Square neighborhood.
• Saint Francis AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Henrietta Lacks Educational Park project.
• Baltimore City Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary institutional partner for schoolyard renovations and youth programming including SuperKids Camp and Branches.
• Great Kids FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural education partner for Branches program, providing cooking and nutrition lessons.
• Ushers New LookminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development partner for Branches program, providing virtual resume-building and certification sessions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Regional environmental nonprofit delivering watershed education, restoration, and youth programming across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. An active Branches program partner that overlaps with Parks & People's environmental education programming at a larger regional scale.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates and protects urban parks and green space. Operates in a broader geography and at a much larger scale, but pursues the same park-creation/environmental-equity mission as Parks & People and competes for the same national foundation funding.
• Groundwork USA: National network of urban environmental nonprofits doing community-based brownfield remediation, park revitalization, and youth environmental programs — a direct structural analog to Parks & People at a national scale.

Emerging players

• City Parks Alliance: National nonprofit advancing urban park policy and funding. Comparable in that it operates in the same urban green-space equity mission space, but functions primarily as an advocacy/policy network rather than a direct park-builder.

Others

• Greater Baltimore Committee: Regional civic organization of Baltimore business and civic leaders. Not a direct operational peer, but an adjacent ecosystem participant that convenes the same corporate partners (M&T Bank, Constellation, Baltimore Ravens) that Parks & People engages as volunteer/funding partners.

Direct peers

• Civic Works: Baltimore-based AmeriCorps-affiliated nonprofit operating youth service corps, community gardens, and urban green-space programs. Directly comparable as a peer Baltimore nonprofit combining youth workforce development with park/green-space programming.
• KABOOM!: National nonprofit focused on ending playspace inequity through playground construction. A core strategic partner on rapid-build playground installations and a directly comparable mission-driven nonprofit in the urban green-space/play-equity space.
• Living Classrooms Foundation: Baltimore nonprofit providing youth workforce development, environmental education, and outdoor programming. Identical mission overlap with Parks & People's Branches and SuperKids Camp, and an active programming partner — making it the closest comparable peer.
• Baltimore Green Space: Baltimore nonprofit dedicated to conserving and creating community-managed open green spaces. Operates in the same Baltimore market with similar community-land-trust / green-space preservation mission, though narrower in scope.
• Blue Water Baltimore: Baltimore-based environmental nonprofit focused on clean water and urban green space. Directly comparable as a similarly-sized Baltimore environmental nonprofit operating community-driven programming in the same metro and grant-pool ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/parksandpeople

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Parks & People Foundation