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New Palm Springs Parks Foundation outlines fundraising priorities to commission
Summary
Board members of the newly formed Palm Springs Parks Foundation presented fundraising goals and a general-fund approach, saying they will partner with the city on grants, listening sessions and a formal MOU to support water, shade and activation projects.
Representatives of the newly formed Palm Springs Parks Foundation met with the Parks and Recreation Commission on Feb. 23 to introduce the nonprofit and outline how it will support park projects and programming.
Jana Fitzgerald, who identified herself as a board member, said the foundation — organized in 2023 as a 501(c)(3) and previously known as People for Palm Springs Parks — will serve as a fundraising and advocacy arm to support park improvements, programming and community engagement. "We're going to be sort of the fundraising arm and we envision that the nonprofit is really going to be the vehicle...to be able to support what you're all already doing," Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald and fellow board member Catherine Hatch described three initial pillars for funding and programs: water (climate-resilient water features and hydration), shade (climate-conscious design and tree planting) and activation/recreation (programming to increase park use). The group said it will begin with a general fund for donations and later offer named "buckets" donors can select, and it plans community listening sessions and a formal memorandum of understanding with the city to clarify roles.
During Q&A, commissioners asked about restricted gifts and possible funding sources. One commissioner noted available settlement- or foundation-style grant pools at the state level; the foundation said it is joining the national City Parks Alliance and speaking with similar groups to identify grant opportunities and resource-sharing options.
The commission did not take a formal vote on any MOU or financial commitment at the Feb. 23 meeting; the foundation said it will continue stakeholder outreach and return with more details as fundraising and the MOU progress.
