Board hearing examines alleged misuse of funds by San Francisco Parks Alliance; nonprofits report lost donations

Former and interim leaders of the San Francisco Parks Alliance told a July 17 hearing of the Board of Supervisors’ Government Audit and Oversight Committee that the nonprofit’s books were in disarray and that restricted funds intended for community projects were used for other purposes, leaving neighborhood groups without promised reimbursements.

Supervisor Ahsha Safaí-led hearings last month produced subpoenas after witnesses failed to appear; at the July 17 session, former treasurer Rick Hutchinson, former CEO Drew Becker and interim CEO Robert Ogilvy answered questions from Supervisors Dean Walton, Jackie Fielder and others. Ogilvy said the Alliance had about $1.1 million in the bank when the board voted to wind down operations — roughly $800,000 held in restricted accounts and about $300,000 unrestricted — and that the organization’s records show at least $5.4 million in obligations to partner groups. Multiple public commenters and witnesses said they have lost smaller sums ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

Why it matters: The Parks Alliance served as fiscal sponsor for dozens of small “friends of” groups and for larger capital projects including Crane Cove Park. Local volunteers and small nonprofits say funds they raised or expected for specific park improvements, program reimbursements and payroll were not made available in time — and, in some cases, not at all. Several city agencies, including the Port of San Francisco and the Recreation and Park Department, are now…