Supervisors subpoena Parks Alliance leaders after testimony and extensive public comment on alleged mismanagement

The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on June 5 ordered subpoenas and continued a hearing after widespread testimony about alleged fiscal mismanagement at the San Francisco Parks Alliance (SFPA), a nonprofit that served as fiscal sponsor for dozens of neighborhood park and open-space groups.

Sponsor Supervisor Shamann Walton opened the hearing by describing investigative reporting and SFPA communications indicating at least $3.8 million in restricted funds had been used to cover the organization’s operating costs, a use he said would violate fiduciary duties and contractual terms. Walton and other supervisors said the issue is not limited to accounting errors but concerns funds raised by community volunteers and donors on behalf of neighborhood Friends groups and other stewards of San Francisco parks.

Committee Chair Jackie Fielder and Supervisor Sherrill joined Walton in pressing for accountability. The committee heard that the SFPA had laid off staff, issued conflicting public statements and — according to an email the committee received — engaged Jigsaw Advisors for wind‑down and asset management. Committee presenters and multiple public commenters said the SFPA served as fiscal sponsor for more than 80 Friends-of-Parks groups and that those groups now face immediate cash-flow and operational problems; speakers detailed lost grant disbursements, paused programs, unpaid vendor bills and staff layoffs.

Supervisor Walton requested subpoenas for Robert Ogilvy (identified as the most recent SFPA CEO), Drew Boettcher (identified as a former SFPA CEO) and Richard (Rick) Hutchinson (SFPA board treasurer), and he asked that those individuals produce documents enumerated in a May 13, 2025 letter from Walton’s office to the SFPA. Chair Fielder and other supervisors then introduced a joint motion directing the clerk to prepare and issue subpoenas to those three individuals to appear at a future committee hearing and to produce the requested documents; the committee also delegated to the chair authority to set hearing dates. The committee voted to approve the subpoenas and to continue the matter to the call of the chair; the vote was recorded as three ayes (Vice Chair Danny Sauter; Member Sherrill; Chair Jackie Fielder).

Many public commenters — representing a wide range of Friends-of-Parks groups, neighborhood organizations, volunteer stewards, contractors and community advocates — described specific funds they had placed with the SFPA for construction, maintenance and program support and said those funds were no longer accessible. Individuals described situations including a lost $50,000 bequest for a neighborhood park, unpaid vendor invoices and suspended garden maintenance because funds formerly held by SFPA had not been disbursed. Several speakers urged immediate interim assistance from the city to avoid program collapse while investigations and recovery efforts proceed.

Speakers at the hearing also urged the city to preserve the fiscal-sponsorship function SFPA provided, saying that many volunteer organizations lacked the administrative capacity to receive and manage funds, obtain insurance, and comply with grant reporting without a fiscal sponsor. City staff from Recreation and Park and the Port were present; other city offices — including the District Attorney and City Attorney — were reported to be engaged in ongoing investigations. Committee members said they would pursue full oversight and follow-up; the hearing was continued to allow the subpoenaed witnesses and additional city staff to appear at a later date.