Madison Parks Foundation, Inc.

What Madison Parks Foundation, Inc. does

Madison Parks Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, that raises private philanthropic support to fund programs, amenities, and capital improvements for Madison's 297+ parks spanning 5,779 acres. The foundation operates as the official nonprofit partner of the City of Madison Parks Division, bridging the gap between basic municipal park maintenance funded by tax dollars ($275 per average home) and the enhanced programming, accessibility features, and capital projects that make the system best-in-class. Its predecessor organization, the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association, was founded in 1894.

The foundation delivers a portfolio of community programs rather than a technology product. Signature offerings include the K.N.O.W. youth development program serving 200-300 underserved teens weekly at Warner Park Community Recreation Center, Live at The Glen arts and cultural programming, fully accessible playgrounds at five locations, Goodman Pool swimming scholarships, the Learning Series outdoor education curriculum, nine off-leash dog parks, and accessible beach pathways at three Madison beaches. It also supports public golf facilities including The Glen Golf Park and the in-progress Odana Hills Golf Park redesign.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable contributions: individual donations to the Parks for All Fund, corporate and foundation grants (e.g., $94,000 from 100 Men of Dane County, $100,000 from Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, $10,000 from Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation), major donor gifts (notably $4.5-5 million from Michael and Jocelyn Keiser for Odana Hills), event fundraising (Picnic in the Park raised $114,388 in 2025), planned giving/bequests, tribute and memorial gifts, and merchandise sales (the $10 Madison Parks Calendar). Total fundraising has exceeded $5 million over the past five years. The organization is led by President & Executive Director Stephanie Franklin and Board President Ty Beck, with 1-10 employees.

Name

Madison Parks Foundation, Inc.

Legal name

Madison Parks Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://madisonparksfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Madison Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises private funds to support Madison, Wisconsin's 297+ city parks through youth programs, accessibility initiatives, capital projects, and community events serving 5.5 million annual park visits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Park Philanthropy

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK)

Keywords

• Park philanthropy
• Community recreation funding
• Nonprofit park programs
• Public park accessibility
• Youth recreation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

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. Individual Donations: General donations from individuals supporting the foundation's mission to make Madison parks accessible and inclusive. Donors contribute to the Parks for All Fund or specific initiatives.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Major grants from foundations such as Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation ($10,000), 100 Men of Dane County ($94,000), and Oscar Rennebohm Foundation ($100,000). Also includes major donor gifts like Michael and Jocelyn Keiser's $4.5-5 million for Odana Hills Golf Park.
3. Event Fundraising: Signature annual fundraiser Picnic in the Park generates significant revenue (raised over $114,000 in 2025). The event includes corporate sponsorships and ticket sales.
4. Tribute and Memorial Gifts: Donors can honor loved ones through dedicated park features such as benches, picnic tables, and park pickets. These gifts provide lasting amenities while creating meaningful legacies.
5. Calendar Sales: Sale of annual Madison Parks Calendars featuring award-winning photography. The $10 calendars generate funds for the foundation with all proceeds directed to park support.
6. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts through bequests, stock gifts, and other planned contributions that sustain parks for future generations. The organization promotes planned giving as a way to leave lasting impacts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Madison Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises private philanthropic support to fund programs, amenities, accessibility improvements, and capital projects for Madison's 297+ city parks. It delivers and underwrites community programs including youth development (K.N.O.W.), aquatics scholarships, accessible playgrounds and beach pathways, arts and culture events, outdoor education, and public golf facilities, distributing more than $5 million over the past five years toward these initiatives.

Product overview

Madison Parks Foundation operates as a nonprofit charitable organization that raises private support to fund programs, amenities, and improvements for Madison's 297+ parks. The Foundation does not offer a technology product or platform; instead, it provides a portfolio of community programs and initiatives including the K.N.O.W. youth development program, Live at The Glen arts programming, accessible playground infrastructure, Learning Series outdoor education, aquatics scholarships, dog parks, and an annual calendar merchandise. These programs work together to make parks accessible, inclusive, and engaging for all Madison residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• K.N.O.W. Program: Kids Need Opportunities at Warner - provides free, safe, and welcoming activities for approximately 200-350 teens on Madison's north side each week, including mentorship, afterschool support, life-building programs, and basketball.
• Parks For All
• Live at The Glen
• Learning Series
• Goodman Pool Access Scholarships

Products and services

• K.N.O.W. (Kids Need Opportunities at Warner) Program Free youth development program at Warner Park Community Recreation Center providing basketball, mentorship, afterschool activities, and referee certification training for approximately 200–350 teens weekly on Madison's north side.
• Live at The Glen Year-round program of free live music, outdoor movies, adaptive dance classes, cultural showcases (including Ho-Chunk Nation performances), and community events held at The Glen Golf Park.
• Accessible Playgrounds Fully inclusive playgrounds at Warner Park, Rennebohm Park, Reindahl Park, Elver Park, and Brittingham Park featuring rubberized surfaces, adaptive swings, and wheelchair-accessible pathways.
• Learning Series Free, year-round outdoor activities including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, Nordic walks, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing that connect community members with nature and build outdoor skills.
• Goodman Pool Access Scholarships Scholarship program providing swimming lessons, pool passes, and safety gear to children from families in need, supporting water safety and summer pool access since 2006.
• Dog Parks Nine off-leash dog parks and several smaller neighborhood dog exercise areas with fenced spaces, separate small-dog areas, accessible paths, water stations, and shaded seating.
• Picnic in the Park Madison Parks Foundation's signature annual fundraiser celebrating free and low-cost programs, featuring themed events raising over $100,000 each year to support parks programming.
• Madison Parks Calendar Annual wall calendar featuring award-winning photography from the Madison Parks photography contest, sold for $10 with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation.
• Accessible Beach Pathways Cement pathways and seasonal beach matting providing wheelchair and mobility-device access from beach facilities to the water's edge at Tenney Beach, Warner Park Beach, and Esther Beach.
• Public Golf Courses & Programs Foundation-supported public golf facilities including The Glen Golf Park and the planned Odana Hills Golf Park, featuring clubhouse, patio, restaurant, and event spaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• Raised more than $5 million in the past 5 years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Event EssentialscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 October 2025Event Essentials serves as the presenting sponsor for Picnic in the Park, Madison Parks Foundation's signature annual fundraiser. Their devoted support makes this signature event possible year after year, allowing the foundation to create memorable experiences while directing maximum resources toward programs.
• Picnic in the Park 2025 Sponsors (22 total)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Twenty-two sponsors stepped forward to make Picnic in the Park 2025 possible. Volunteer setup crews included donors who believe deeply in the mission. Sponsor names include Event Essentials (presenting sponsor) and others visible in sponsor graphics on the foundation website.
• Kavanaugh'ssupportingOthersDonated commercial-grade kitchen equipment and provided free installation services for the WPCRC kitchen renovation. Guided the foundation through equipment selection to ensure the best equipment for the renovation. Their expertise and commitment made the project possible.
• Madison Parks DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Madison Parks Division manages park operations, maintenance, and daily services. The Foundation serves as the nonprofit partner providing additional funding and community support to enhance and expand what the City can offer. Projects like the accessible beach pathways are completed in partnership with the Division.
• Ho-Chunk NationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural showcase partner for Live at The Glen events, bringing cultural programming to the community through performances and cultural showcases at The Glen Golf Park.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atlanta BeltLine Partnership: Nonprofit partner supporting the Atlanta BeltLine trail and parks network with fundraising, programming, and community engagement. Comparable as a citywide parks/trails nonprofit using donations, events, and corporate sponsorships to fund public-recreation programming and amenities.
• Friends of the High Line: NYC nonprofit that funds and operates programming and capital improvements on a signature urban park. Comparable as a parks-focused nonprofit raising private funds for programming, events, and amenities on city-owned public parkland — similar in scope to Madison Parks Foundation's programming focus.
• Central Park Conservancy: The nonprofit partner for New York City's flagship urban park system. Directly comparable as a city-specific parks nonprofit that raises private funds to supplement municipal park budgets, supports capital projects, and funds programs and amenities beyond basic maintenance — analogous to Madison Parks Foundation's role at city scale.
• Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: Pittsburgh's nonprofit partner for Frick, Schenley, and the wider city park system. Closely mirrors Madison Parks Foundation's structure: fundraising for capital improvements, accessibility projects, and free programming on city-owned parks in partnership with the municipal parks department.
• Chicago Parks Foundation: Chicago's nonprofit partner for the Chicago Park District, funding programming, capital projects, and community initiatives across the city park system. Highly comparable business model: donations, grants, and events supporting parks programming and infrastructure beyond tax-funded maintenance.
• Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: Nonprofit fundraising and programming partner for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and other Bay Area parks. Comparable as a parks-focused 501(c)(3) raising private support for accessibility, programming, and capital projects that public funding alone cannot cover.
• Boston Parks and Recreation Trust: Nonprofit supporting Boston's public parks through fundraising for programming and capital improvements. Comparable as a city-specific parks nonprofit raising private funds for accessibility, youth programs, and community events on city-owned parkland.

Broad incumbents

• National Recreation and Park Association: National nonprofit organization advancing park development, recreation, and conservation through advocacy, education, and grants. Comparable as a parks/recreation sector organization, but operates at national advocacy and standards level rather than as a local community fundraiser — a broad incumbent in Madison Parks Foundation's category.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on creating and conserving parks and green spaces across the U.S. Comparable as a broader parks-and-conservation funder, but operates at national scale and focuses on land acquisition rather than ongoing programming — a broader incumbent in the same space as Madison Parks Foundation.

Regional players

• Cleveland Metroparks (Park Foundation): Cleveland-area regional park system with associated fundraising foundation supporting programming, conservation, and capital improvements. Comparable parks-nonprofit model focused on community programs and amenities, but serves a regional rather than single-city geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/madison-parks-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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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 Madison Parks Foundation, Inc.