Nashville Parks Foundation outlines grants and park investments; $595,000 reported revenue last year

A representative of the Nashville Parks Foundation updated the board on the foundation’s mission, finances and recent investments in parks without friends groups.

The foundation said it was created by the parks board in 2015 to provide system‑wide equitable park funding and reported $595,000 in total revenue last year, which included $93,000 from its contract with Metro Parks. The foundation reported it raised approximately $500,000 in additional funds and that it has $388,000 available for investments this year after operating and fundraising costs. At its first board meeting of the year the foundation approved $50,000 for community centers, $50,000 for Watkins Park pump track construction, and $100,000 to match a grant for McCabe Park phase 1 work.

The foundation described smaller projects in planning or implementation: a water fountain for 7 Oaks Park, basketball court improvements at Watkins Park (in partnership with Vanderbilt), a rain‑garden restoration at McKay Park, benches at Palmer Park and stewardship of the Music City Hot Chicken Festival fiduciary responsibilities. The representative said the foundation received a four‑star rating from Charity Navigator and has grown its board to 16 members.

Why it matters: the foundation targets funding to parks without established friends groups and can accelerate small capital projects and programming across the system.

Questions and follow up

Board members asked about the foundation’s revenue sources and contract amount; the representative confirmed the $93,000 contract payment and described fundraising channels including event ticket surcharges and private donations.

Implementation notes

The foundation said Picnic for the Parks is its primary fundraiser (a zero‑waste event) scheduled for September 20 at Sevier Park this year and said it will continue working with Metro Parks staff to direct approved investments.