PA R T N E R S H I P S
The data gathered by this process generated not only a snapshot of the agencyfoundation relationship, but also serves as the basis of recommendations we make for agencies hoping to get the most out of their partnerships. In a nod to this reality, local public park and recreation agencies often must seek funding from other sources. One approach taken by many agencies is to partner with nonprofit park foundations or “friends groups.” Although such partnerships have a long history in the delivery of local park and recreation services, they may be more necessary than ever in light of the budgetary and staffing issues brought on by the Great Recession and the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Until now, there has been a lack of research on the characteristics
and conditions that lead to effective and sustainable partnerships between park and recreation agencies and their nonprofit partners. As a result, we worked with NRPA on a nationwide study of agencyfoundation relationships that combined a survey of park and recreation agency leaders and in-depth interviews of leaders from both agencies and nonprofit foundations (nr pa.org/AgencyFoundation Relationships). The data gathered by this process generated not only a snapshot of the agency-foundation relationship, but also serves as the basis of recommendations we make for agencies hoping to get the most out of their partnerships.
Snapshot of the AgencyFoundation Relationship Overall, about 40 percent of agency leaders report that their agency benefits from the support of a park-specific foundation. Compared to municipalities without a park-specific foundation, agencies with a park-specific foundation
serve a larger average population (302,000 vs. 120,000) and manage: • More acreage on average (6,100 acres vs. 1,300 acres) • More parks and recreation facilities on average (46 facilities vs. 24 facilities) • A greater average annual budget ($14 million vs. $7 million) Most park and recreation leaders view the agency-foundation relationship positively. The majority of respondents see the relationship as “very” or “extremely” strong (68 percent), close (66 percent) and effective (58 percent).
Recommendations for Maximizing the AgencyFoundation Relationship Fundraise (and more)! Park and recreation leaders are most likely to see the agencyfoundation relationship in terms of fundraising, perhaps unsurprisingly given many agencies’ neverending budgetary challenges. Seventy-three percent of survey respondents say that their foundation
A Majority of Park and Recreation Leaders Views the Agency-Foundation Relationship to be Strong, Close and Effective 80 70
(Percentage Distribution)
68%
66% 58%
60 50 40 30 20
24%
21%
28%
10 0
Agency-foundation relationship is “strong”
Agency-foundation relationship is “close” ■ “Extremely” or “Very” ■ “Moderately”
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Agency-foundation relationship is “effective”
