Parks Foundation
Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants to support Miami-Dade County's park system of 307 parks serving 2.5 million residents and 10 million annual visitors through programs in youth development, environmental conservation, and water safety.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersMiami, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Parks Foundation does
Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation established in 2004 following the Building Better Communities Bond Issue. It functions as the exclusive private-sector fundraising and program-delivery partner for the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, one of the largest county park systems in the United States, encompassing 307 parks, 40,000 acres, 73 recreation centers, 19 pools, 6 marinas, 17 miles of beaches, 5 golf courses, Zoo Miami, and the Deering Estate. The Foundation raises and deploys financial and volunteer resources to support capital projects, scholarships, and direct programming across the county's parks system.
The Foundation's revenue model is a four-stream nonprofit structure consisting of individual donations (collected through the liveaparklife.org giving portal and membership program), tiered corporate sponsorships ($1,000 to $10,000+ tiers), grant funding from institutional foundations (The Children's Trust, United Way Miami, Templeton Family Foundation, Florida Blue Foundation, Peacock Foundation), and fiscal sponsorship services for affiliated initiatives. Programs span youth development (Fit2Lead, Learn2Swim, Girls Got Game), environmental conservation (Million Trees, Sea Turtle Conservation, PLACE volunteer program), cycling (Bike305), and the Zero Drownings Miami-Dade Partnership launched in April 2024. Programmatic outcomes include a documented 30% crime reduction in Fit2Lead implementation areas, swim instruction for over 2,500 children across 66 schools in the first year of Zero Drownings, and 33,332 trees planted under Million Trees between 2019 and 2024.
The Foundation itself operates with 1-10 employees at its Miami headquarters (275 NW 2nd Street) while leveraging the broader County department's 2,000+ person workforce and a volunteer base exceeding 6,300 community members. Its go-to-market relies on community engagement, signature events (In the Company of Women Awards, Earth Day, Fourth of July, Love-In Music Festival), media partnerships (Univision, WPLG Local 10), and an extensive coalition of corporate, civic, educational, and nonprofit partners. Governance is provided by a board of community leaders, with no parent organization or controlling entity; the Foundation operates autonomously in close alignment with county government.
Parks Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Parks Foundation
- Legal name
- Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
- Website
- https://liveaparklife.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants to support Miami-Dade County's park system of 307 parks serving 2.5 million residents and 10 million annual visitors through programs in youth development, environmental conservation, and water safety.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Parks Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Foundation Services
- NAICS
- Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)
Keywords
Where Parks Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Miami
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Parks Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Individual donations from community members supporting parks programs and facilities
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners at various tiers ($10,000, $5,000-$9,999, $1,000-$5,000) provide financial support in exchange for recognition and association with the Foundation
- Grant Funding: The Foundation accepts grant funding from organizations like The Children's Trust, United Way Miami, Edu Foundation, Templeton Family Foundation, Florida Blue Foundation, and Peacock Foundation to support specific programs
- Fiscal Sponsorship Services: The Foundation serves as fiscal sponsor for grants awarded to the Foundation to support tree planting initiatives and other community programs
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Parks Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade mobilizes financial and volunteer support to sustain and expand Miami-Dade County's parks system. It raises donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants, and provides fiscal sponsorship to deliver a portfolio of community programs in youth development (Fit2Lead), water safety (Learn2Swim and Zero Drownings Miami-Dade), environmental conservation (Neat Streets/Million Trees, Sea Turtle Conservation), cycling (Bike305), and volunteer engagement (PLACE).
Product overview
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a nonprofit organization that serves as the catalyst for supporting Miami-Dade County's parks system. Rather than offering a unified tech product, the Foundation provides a portfolio of community programs and initiatives including Learn2Swim Scholarships (swimming education), Bike305 Cycling Initiatives (bike safety), Fit2Lead Youth Development (youth internships), Neat Streets/Million Trees (environmental conservation), Growing Park Stewards (volunteer programs), Sea Turtle Conservation, and Zero Drownings Miami-Dade Partnership (drowning prevention). These programs work together to ensure accessible parks, recreational programming, and environmental stewardship across Miami-Dade County.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Learn2Swim Scholarships Provides learn-to-swim scholarships to children and families to learn water safety and how to swim through Miami-Dade Parks' Learn2Swim program, the largest public swimming education program in South Florida.
- Bike305 Cycling Initiatives Partners with Miami-Dade County Parks' Bike305 program to promote cycling for recreation and as an alternative method of transportation, delivering bike safety programming to municipalities and residents throughout Miami-Dade County.
- Fit2Lead Youth Development and Internship Program Award-winning, evidence-based summer and after-school program for 15 to 19-year-olds providing paid internships and life management skills training including goal setting, budget planning, communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and healthy relationship building.
- Neat Streets / Million Trees Miami-Dade County Tree planting initiative partnership that planted 33,332 trees and distributed 11,125 to residents between 2019-2024, increasing tree canopy throughout Miami-Dade County with a focus on low tree canopy neighborhoods.
- Growing Park Stewards through Volunteer Programs (PLACE) PLACE (Parks Leadership and Community Engagement) Program connecting people and parks through volunteer service, including coastal cleanups and habitat restoration projects; engaged over 6,300 volunteers in 2023 who installed 3,100+ plants and removed 23,000 lbs of debris.
- Sea Turtle Conservation Program Supports Miami-Dade County Parks Sea Turtle Conservation team which monitors and records all sea turtle nesting activity along the county's 19 miles of beaches, responding to sea turtle rescue and stranding year-round; surveyed 702 sea turtle nests in 2023 season, a 5% increase from 2022.
- Zero Drownings Miami-Dade Partnership Drowning prevention initiative delivering life-saving swim lessons through an innovative school-integrated model to preschool and kindergarten children, aiming to reduce child drownings which are the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-14 in Miami-Dade County. Provided water safety and swim lessons to over 2,500 children across 66 elementary schools and preschool centers in its first year.
- In the Company of Women Awards Annual awards ceremony recognizing the accomplishments of women in all professions throughout Miami-Dade County, celebrating leadership, vision, and responsibility to the community, co-presented with the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women.
- Parks Foundation Membership Program Membership program offering individuals discounts on Miami-Dade Parks programs and attractions in exchange for recurring financial support of the Foundation.
- Start-a-Fund / Fiscal Sponsorship Service The Foundation serves as fiscal sponsor for grants awarded to community partners and offers individuals the ability to establish dedicated funds under its 501(c)(3) umbrella, including support for tree planting initiatives and other community programs.
Quantifiable outcome
- Fit2Lead program reduced crime by 30% in implementation areas
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Parks Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Parks Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Parks Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Zero Drownings Miami-Dade CollaborativecoreGroundbreaking drowning prevention initiative launched in April 2024, uniting The Children's Trust, Office of the Mayor, Miami-Dade Parks, Community Action and Human Services Department, Public Schools, American Red Cross, The Miami Foundation, United Way, Templeton Foundation, and other partners to deliver swim lessons to children.
- Green Mobility NetworkminorPartner organization supporting cycling and alternative transportation initiatives in Miami-Dade.
- WPLG Local 10minorMedia partner providing news coverage and promotional support for parks events.
- Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces DepartmentcorePrimary government partner - the Foundation supports this department which manages 307 parks, 73 recreation centers, 19 pools, and serves 2.5 million residents and 10 million visitors annually.
- Miami-Dade County Juvenile Services DepartmentcoreGovernment partner in Fit2Lead youth internship program helping reduce crime by 30% in implementation areas.
- Miami-Dade Police DepartmentcoreGovernment partner in Fit2Lead youth internship program providing career pathways and crime prevention.
- Miami-Dade County Public SchoolscoreEducation partner in Fit2Lead program and Zero Drownings initiative serving 66 elementary schools.
- American Red Cross South Florida RegioncorePartner in Zero Drownings initiative, developed first-ever online water safety course in Haitian Creole now used nationally.
- City of MiamiminorMunicipal partner in Zero Drownings program providing swim lessons during 2024-25 school year.
- City of Miami SpringsminorMunicipal partner in Zero Drownings program providing swim lessons during 2024-25 school year.
- Zoo Miami FoundationminorPartner organization supporting Zoo Miami operations and conservation programs.
- Miami-Dade County Commission for WomenminorCo-presenter of In the Company of Women Awards ceremony recognizing women leaders annually.
- United Way Miami (Volunteer Programs)minorPartner in PLACE volunteer program providing $36,285 in grants supporting 174 community volunteer events in 2023.
- The Mission ContinuesminorCommunity partner in Earth Day 2023 volunteer restoration event at Kendall Indian Hammocks.
- UnivisionminorMedia partner for Fourth of July celebration and Park and Recreation Month events.
- AARPminorCorporate partner supporting programs for active older adults and volunteer initiatives.
- Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing ArtsminorCultural institution partner supporting arts and cultural programming in parks.
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic GardenminorCultural institution partner in conservation and botanical education.
- The Deering Estate FoundationminorPartner supporting the 444-acre Deering Estate natural and cultural heritage site.
- Miami DolphinsminorNFL team partner supporting Fit2Lead and Girls Got Game events through community outreach.
- Miami HeatminorNBA team partner supporting Girls Got Game sports events and community programming.
- Miami MarlinsminorMLB team partner supporting youth programs and community outreach initiatives.
- Florida International UniversityminorEducational institution partner supporting programs and workforce development.
- Barry UniversityminorEducational institution partner supporting community programs.
- Neat Streets Miami-Dade County / Million Trees Miami-Dade CountycoreFoundation serves as fiscal sponsor for grants supporting tree planting initiatives. Planted 33,332 trees and distributed 11,125 to residents between 2019-2024.
Scale indicators24 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Parks Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation and creating parks for people; comparable because it also fundraises and partners with public agencies to expand park access, conservation, and community green space — overlapping mission with Parks Foundation's environmental and park-access work.
- National Parks Conservation Association: National independent advocacy nonprofit for national parks; comparable as a peer in parks-focused nonprofit advocacy, membership fundraising, and conservation programming.
Direct peers
- The Miami Foundation: Miami-Dade community foundation providing grants, donor services, and civic leadership funding; directly comparable as a community foundation operating in the same geography with overlapping grantmaking and civic-engagement activities.
- Zoo Miami Foundation: Nonprofit fundraising arm supporting a specific Miami-Dade Parks asset (Zoo Miami); directly comparable as a parks-affiliated nonprofit foundation in the same county, with the same dual government/fundraising model.
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Miami-based conservation and education nonprofit operating one of the Miami-Dade botanical gardens supported by the Parks Foundation; directly comparable as a parks-adjacent nonprofit running environmental education programs in the same geography.
- United Way Miami: Miami-based nonprofit funding community programs (including PLACE volunteer program and Zero Drownings partner); directly comparable as a funder/program partner competing for overlapping donor and grant dollars in Miami-Dade.
Emerging players
- City Parks Alliance: National membership organization advancing urban park funding and policy; comparable as a peer in parks-advocacy and park-system funding/grantmaking infrastructure, though operating at a national rather than local scale.
Regional players
- Audubon Florida: State-level conservation nonprofit focused on birds and habitats; comparable to Parks Foundation's environmental conservation work (sea turtle, tree canopy, wetlands) and competes for similar conservation-minded donor dollars in Florida.
- The Everglades Foundation: Florida-focused environmental nonprofit dedicated to Everglades protection and restoration; comparable given Parks Foundation's footprint bordering the Everglades and similar conservation-advocacy and grantmaking model.
Others
- Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau: Destination marketing organization for Greater Miami; comparable as an ecosystem partner driving tourism and visitor engagement, with overlapping board leadership (e.g., Caroline O'Connor serves both organizations).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Parks Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceParks Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Parks Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Parks Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Parks Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Parks Foundation
What does Parks Foundation do?
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade mobilizes financial and volunteer support to sustain and expand Miami-Dade County's parks system. It raises donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants, and provides fiscal sponsorship to deliver a portfolio of community programs in youth development (Fit2Lead), water safety (Learn2Swim and Zero Drownings Miami-Dade), environmental conservation (Neat Streets/Million Trees, Sea Turtle Conservation), cycling (Bike305), and volunteer engagement (PLACE).
Is Parks Foundation a public or private company?
Parks Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Parks Foundation founded?
Parks Foundation was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Parks Foundation based?
Parks Foundation is headquartered in Miami, United States, in the North America region.
How does Parks Foundation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, grant Funding and fiscal Sponsorship Services.
Who are Parks Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Trust for Public Land and National Parks Conservation Association. Direct peers are The Miami Foundation, Zoo Miami Foundation, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and United Way Miami. City Parks Alliance is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are Audubon Florida and The Everglades Foundation. Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is listed as an others.
Does Parks Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Parks Foundation.
What industry is Parks Foundation in?
Parks Foundation's product category is Community Foundation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAB, Community Foundations, with a secondary code of BPAGAKAM, Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations. Its NAICS code is 813211 and its SIC code is 8300.