For more than two decades, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation has worked to transform human lives through parks and public spaces by aligning philanthropic investment with community vision. This work is only possible because of integral partnerships and the generous support of individuals like you. Since its start, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation has raised more than $49 million in support of the Minneapolis park system, reaching every corner of the city and multiplying that impact in powerful ways. Over the past three years, every dollar invested through the Minneapolis Parks Foundation is estimated to generate a $3.50 return into the park system, expanding access, opportunity, and care for these shared spaces.
In 2025, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation advanced its mission by growing a broad and engaged community of supporters, continuing to provide inclusive programming, and making significant progress on transformative investments across the park system. With support from thousands of donors, advocates, volunteers, and park champions, the Parks Foundation celebrated major milestones this year: Construction began at North Commons Park, the People for Parks Fund awarded a record $67,250 in grant funding, and the first full year of the Minneapolis Parks Endowment demonstrated a shared commitment to the long-term stewardship of Minneapolis parks.
Building a Community of Parks Foundation Supporters
In 2025, donor support fueled deep community partnerships across the city and throughout the park system. This year, 872 individual and institutional donors contributed to the work of the Parks Foundation, raising $6,132,388.02 in cash and pledges. Our broader community of support grew to 15,757 people, including donors, advocates, volunteers, and park champions who stayed connected through events, communications, and giving. Additionally, we continue to expand our audience on social media platforms, with over 10,000 followers combined on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Expanding Audiences Through Programming and Events
Sunrise on the Mississippi: This year’s signature fundraising event was held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at Nicollet Island Pavilion. We heard from local leaders and change-makers doing meaningful work within the parks, and welcomed the Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s new Executive Director to the stage to share his story and vision for what’s ahead. With support from nearly 250 event attendees and additional contributors who were unable to attend, the Parks Foundation surpassed its fundraising goal, raising more than $103,000 to support transformative investments across Minneapolis parks.
Posters for Parks: At the 10th annual Posters for Parks show, 43 local artists created limited-edition posters inspired by the beauty and spirit of Minneapolis parks. Thanks to over 800 attendees, and many more online buyers, 988 posters and 150 10th anniversary postcard booklets sold this year, supporting both the talented local artists behind the work and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s People for Parks Fund.
Next Generation of Parks: In 2025, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s always-free Next Generation of Parks event series continued to bring community members together around compelling stories and ideas that connect people to parks. In April, Belonging in the Outdoors brought over 150 attendees to the Minneapolis Institute of Art for a film screening and panel discussion highlighting the Outdoor and Environmental Leadership program at North Hennepin Community College, highlighting youth dialogue about inclusion and opportunity in outdoor spaces. Later in July, the series presented Basketball State: The Land of 10,000 Hoops, a celebration of Minnesota’s rich basketball culture and the role of parks and recreation centers in youth development, drawing over 200 attendees to the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis for a documentary screening and engaging panel conversation.
Walk & Talks: In 2025, three unique Walk & Talks invited park lovers to experience both new and familiar park spaces in meaningful ways. More than 60 participants joined us at North Commons Park, Graco Park, and Theodore Wirth Park to explore the history, development and design, ecology, and recreational opportunities within each site. Beyond the in-person events, download-and-go versions of the walks were viewed nearly 3,000 times, extending Walk & Talks beyond a single event and allowing individuals to discover (or return to) these guided experiences at their own pace.
Breaking Ground on a Historic Transformation
Community engagement and momentum continued to grow around the transformation of North Commons Park in 2025, highlighted by a major milestone with the start of construction on this historic project. In partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the Parks Foundation marked this moment with a groundbreaking celebration on July 29, 2025, welcoming 175 community members, neighborhood leaders, and elected officials to celebrate the shared vision and support behind the project.
Fundraising progress remained strong, with 104 donations made in 2025, we have now raised $20,396,000 toward our $23.5 million goal. This success was amplified by a transformational $4 million grant from the Wilson Foundation, which includes a $2 million matching gift challenge, giving donors the opportunity to double their impact. Community engagement remained a key driver of this progress. Two North Commons house parties created meaningful opportunities for neighbors to connect, learn more about the project, and invest in the future of the park. In addition, many North Commons Park tours and 153 individual and group meetings expanded access to the project and deepened community involvement.We are incredibly grateful for the generous support that has brought us this far. With $3.1 million left to raise, we are committed to reaching the finish line.
To learn more about North Commons or to contribute, please visit the link here. Thank you!
Investing in the People for Parks Fund
The People for Parks Fund continues to strengthen neighborhoods across Minneapolis by supporting community-led projects and programs that activate and care for local parks and outdoor spaces. Through its annual grant program, the Fund aligns grassroots ideas with critical resources, expanding opportunities for people to engage with their parks. In the past year, the program received 43 applications from communities citywide and awarded a record $67,250 in annual funding to 10 unique projects.
The People for Parks Fund is supported through generous contributions to the People for Parks Fund, proceeds from the annual Posters for Parks show, and gifts made through the memorial benches and pavers program. In 2025, supporters honored loved ones in meaningful and lasting ways, with 45 memorial benches and pavers purchased.
Growing Endowments for the Future of Parks
2025 marked the first full year of the newly established Minneapolis Parks Endowment, signaling an important step forward in securing long-term, sustainable funding for the Minneapolis park system. Established in partnership by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, this endowment provides ongoing support to the Park Board for natural resources, historic infrastructure, and the care and maintenance of regional parks and trails. In its inaugural year, the endowment grew with $20,962 in community contributions.
In addition, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s own endowment, which funds the foundation’s programs and general operation, continued to grow in 2025 as a vital source of long-term philanthropic support for our work. Through the generosity of committed donors, $124,182 was contributed this year. This growth reflects enduring confidence in the Foundation’s stewardship and a shared belief in the lasting power of parks to enrich community well-being for generations to come.
Thank You!
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped make this progress possible. Your support throughout the years has helped shape a park system where every community is welcomed and every generation can experience the value of these shared spaces. As we look ahead, we are inspired by what we can continue to build together. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to the Minneapolis Parks Foundation.
Featured Image Credit: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board