What Franklin Park Coalition does

The Franklin Park Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1974 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, that serves as the principal civic advocate and steward for Franklin Park. Its core functional mission centers on preserving, programming, and improving the park for residents and visitors across Boston's surrounding neighborhoods. The organization convenes a 500+ member base, hosts community programming, and operates annual events including the Turkey Trot race that draws 1,000+ registrants. Its business model is funded through four primary streams: individual memberships and donations, event registrations, corporate and institutional sponsorships priced on tiers from $300 to $5,000, and grants supporting capital improvement and advocacy work. The Coalition also generates programmatic value through formal advisory roles (e.g., the White Stadium Neighborhood Advisory Council), serving as a structured conduit between the City of Boston, the Boston Parks Department, private partners such as Boston Unity Soccer Partners (BUSP), and the surrounding community. Leadership includes Executive Director Luis Perez Demorizi and Board President Rickie Thompson.

The Coalition operates with no proprietary technology platform; its service delivery is built around physical park infrastructure, in-person events, and stakeholder convening rather than software or digital products. Its underlying "platform" is the park itself, augmented by a calendar of programming and a network of community relationships cultivated over 50 years. Recent strategic activity has focused on the White Stadium redevelopment, where the Coalition has acted as the primary community liaison, negotiated advocacy outcomes, and helped secure approximately $28 million in capital for park improvements. The organization also expanded its programmatic surface area into health/fitness and arts/culture verticals, broadening its donor and engagement base beyond traditional park maintenance advocacy. Its core outputs are civic: park stewardship, community programming, and policy influence rather than commercial goods or services.

Name

Franklin Park Coalition

Legal name

Franklin Park Coalition

Website

https://franklinparkcoalition.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Franklin Park Coalition is a Boston-based nonprofit founded in 1974 that serves as the principal civic advocate for Franklin Park, stewarding the park, hosting community events such as the Turkey Trot, and convening residents, the City of Boston, and private partners around park programming and capital improvements.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Park Advocacy and Stewardship

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Community park stewardship
• Nonprofit park advocacy
• Urban park conservation
• Community event programming
• Park volunteer programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership Dues: Primary revenue stream through annual donations and membership fees. Minimum annual membership of $7.50 provides voting rights at annual meetings. Donations support programs including Playhouse in the Park concerts, Kite & Bike Festival, nature activities, and advocacy efforts for park improvements.
2. Event Sponsorships: Turkey Trot sponsorship program with tiered levels: Diamond ($5,000+), Emerald ($2,000+), Sapphire ($1,000+), Champion ($500+), Friend ($300). Provides visibility at Boston's most popular 5K races with booth/vendor opportunities.
3. Park Permits Administration: Facilitates park permit applications for athletic fields and special events in coordination with Boston Parks Department. While the City issues permits and collects fees, FPC serves as community advocate and resource for permit processes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Franklin Park Coalition is a nonprofit community advocacy and park stewardship organization that organizes free and ticketed public events, conservation and restoration programs, and advocacy initiatives for Franklin Park in Boston. The organization coordinates with the City of Boston, the Franklin Park Zoo, and Boston Public Schools to activate the park through festivals, races, fitness activities, arts programming, and volunteer-driven conservation work.

Product overview

Franklin Park Coalition is a non-profit organization that does not offer a traditional tech product. Instead, it provides a portfolio of community programs and events designed to engage residents with Franklin Park, Boston's largest green space. The core offerings include the Playhouse in the Park concert series, the annual Kite & Bike Festival, and the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K race. Supporting programs include conservation and restoration volunteer efforts, health and fitness activities, arts and culture programming, and park advocacy initiatives. These programs are delivered through in-person events, volunteer coordination, and community partnerships rather than through a digital product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park: Summer concert series featuring local R&B, reggae, gospel, and jazz artists every Tuesday evening in Franklin Park
• Franklin Park Turkey Trot
• Kite & Bike Festival
• Franklin Park Moves for Health

Products and services

• Playhouse in the Park

Quantifiable outcome

• $28 million city investment secured for Franklin Park improvements through advocacy efforts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Northeastern University Husky Volunteer TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Northeastern University's Husky Volunteer Team for Saturday morning volunteer activities in October and November. Students contribute to conservation and stewardship projects including invasive species removal and trail maintenance. FPC promotes partnership activities via Instagram @FranklinParkBos.
• Boston Parks DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore government partner for park management, maintenance, and capital improvements. Boston Parks Department responsible for everyday park maintenance while FPC provides advocacy, volunteer coordination, and supplementary stewardship. FPC participates in planning processes including Franklin Park Action Plan implementation and pathway improvements.
• Boston Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary user of White Stadium and park athletic fields for BPS athletics including track and football. BPS teams receive first priority for field and court reservations. FPC advocates for student athlete interests in White Stadium redevelopment negotiations, securing facilities improvements including fitness rooms and sports medicine facility.
• City of BostoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partnership includes Mayor Wu's office, Boston Parks Commission, and Boston Transportation Department. City approved $28 million investment for Franklin Park improvements. FPC secured seat on White Stadium Neighborhood Advisory Council (WSNAC) and participates in Franklin Park Action Plan implementation including hiring new park administrator, maintenance staff, and woodlands restoration team.
• DotBikeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvocacy partnership that successfully lobbyed Boston Parks Commission to make Franklin Park the only city park where bicycling is officially allowed. Collaboration includes programming for Kite & Bike Festival.
• Boston BikesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity program partner for Kite & Bike Festival providing bikes and helmets for children, and operating bike rodeo to improve bicycling skills. Part of broader bicycling advocacy effort.
• Hike4LifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization offering guided hiking groups in Franklin Park wilderness areas. Provides nature education and survival skills programming for community members.
• Appalachian Mountain ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner that helped FPC youth crew build 'blazed trail' marked with yellow blazes on trees and rocks to help hikers navigate through Franklin Park Wilderness.
• Reed HilderbrandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture firm leading Franklin Park Master Plan in collaboration with Agency Landscape + Planning and MASS Design Group. FPC participated in RFP review committee and advocated for $28 million capital investment. Supporting consultants include Nitsch Engineering, Applied Ecological Services, ETM Associates, and ARUP.
• Boston Urban Wilds TeamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity team (led by Shan Borucke and Jonathan Bacdayan) leading ecological restoration efforts including invasive species clearing and understory restoration in Long Crouch Woods. Monthly Community Volunteer Days held on second Saturday of each month. FPC coordinates volunteer participation and 'Restor(y)ing the Understory' art installation celebrating restoration efforts.
• Boston Unity Soccer Partners (BUSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate partner for White Stadium redevelopment as shared home for Boston Public Schools athletics and professional women's soccer team. BUSP committed to $500,000 annual donation to community fund, $1 per ticket sold to park fund, Franklin Park Tree Bank (500+ new trees), 15 hours daily community access to stadium, and top scheduling priority for community events. FPC advocacy secured these commitments through binding lease agreements.
• Emerald Necklace ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for arts and culture events including Fog X FLO exhibition featuring Fujiko Nakaya fog sculptures. FPC hosted 'Lavender Ruins' component at Overlook Shelter Ruins with sound installation by Neil Leonard.
• Shattuck Campus Community Advisory BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFPC serves on this advisory body for planning the future of 13-acre Lemuel Shattuck Hospital campus (formerly part of Franklin Park). Board meets every other month to provide community input on redevelopment plans and public health facility design.
• White Stadium Neighborhood Advisory Council (WSNAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner15-person body co-chaired by FPC Executive Director Luis Perez Demorizi with FPC President Rickie Thompson as member. Includes representatives from local businesses, Boston Public Schools, neighborhoods, and park users. Created under White Stadium lease agreement to advise on stadium scheduling, park impacts, and transportation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit working to create parks and protect land for communities. Operates a complementary role to FPC in park funding, advocacy, and master planning, but at a much larger national scale.
• The Trustees of Reservations: Massachusetts statewide land conservation nonprofit that owns and manages 120+ properties. Broader and more established than FPC, but pursues similar conservation, recreation, and community engagement programming at a regional scale.

Others

• Boston Parks and Recreation Department: City of Boston municipal agency that owns and operates Franklin Park. FPC's primary government partner and counterpart authority on park management, maintenance, and capital improvements.

Direct peers

• Appalachian Mountain Club: Regional nonprofit delivering outdoor recreation, conservation, and volunteer trail stewardship in the Northeast. Already a named FPC partner; comparable mission around urban wilderness stewardship and community engagement.
• Emerald Necklace Conservancy: Boston-area nonprofit that conserves and programs the larger Emerald Necklace park system, of which Franklin Park is a part. Directly comparable as a community-driven park stewardship and fundraising organization operating overlapping geographies.
• Friends of the Public Garden: Boston nonprofit that funds and advocates for the Boston Public Garden, Common, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall. FPC's model of membership-based advocacy, volunteer coordination, and signature events is highly analogous.
• Charles River Conservancy: Boston nonprofit focused on the Charles River Esplanade and parklands, combining advocacy, capital project stewardship, and volunteer programming. Operates in the same city and similar urban park stewardship niche.

Emerging players

• Student Conservation Association: National nonprofit placing youth and young adults in conservation service roles. Comparable to FPC's Northeastern University volunteer partnerships and youth conservation crew programming.
• National Park Trust: National nonprofit focused on preserving parks and engaging youth in outdoor stewardship. Overlaps with FPC's conservation and youth volunteer mission, though primarily active outside urban park settings.

Regional players

• Boston Natural Areas Network (historical) / Groundwork Somerville: Greater Boston-area urban environmental nonprofit focused on community-led green space restoration and stewardship. Shares FPC's model of mobilizing volunteers for urban ecological work in Massachusetts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Franklinparkbos
• Instagraminstagram.com/franklinparkbos
• Xx.com/FranklinParkBos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/franklin-park-coalition

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Franklin Park Coalition