Community partners and donors raised $2M to reimburse groups after Parks Alliance collapse, board honors organizers

San Francisco supervisors on Tuesday honored community leaders and donors who helped repair damage caused by the collapse of the nonprofit Parks Alliance and raised philanthropic dollars to reimburse dozens of affected organizations.

President Mandelmann and supervisors recognized seven organizers — Ildiko Paolini (Sutro Stewards), Rasheek Zarif (Buena Vista Neighborhood Association), Irma Lewis (Friends of Esprit Park), Jolene Yee (Friends of Franklin Square), Kath Sokalakis (Friends of Lakeside Village), Matthew Blaine (SF Urban Riders), and Mikaela Dudley (chief of staff, Third Plateau) — for coordinating donors, fiscal sponsors and city partners to make impacted groups whole.

The mayor’s office, city staff and private donors collectively identified nearly 50 donors and raised more than $2,000,000 to cover funds the Parks Alliance had misspent, officials said. A fiscal sponsor stepped in to manage distribution while legal counsel ensured proper procedures. President Mandelmann said by mid‑December the money had been distributed to eligible recipients and more than 80 community groups had received about 80% of owed funds.

Speakers emphasized this as a model for civic partnership in crisis: community organizers, funders, and city staff working together to protect volunteer stewardship of parks and open spaces.

Next steps: supervisors and community leaders said they will continue to support groups that have not yet found fiscal homes and to build a collaborative stewardship model for parks.