About the Foundation

Minneapolis Parks Foundation > About > About the Foundation

Minneapolis is defined by its parks. The Grand Rounds were fundamental to shaping Minneapolis because our park system was envisioned as an interconnected network of greenspace and parkways – creating a framework for building ever-greater access to parks throughout the city.

Since 2003, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation has been an independent donor-supported nonprofit dedicated to supporting our continually evolving park system. Today, we bring visionary leadership, philanthropic investment, and private sector expertise to support innovation and equity throughout the whole Minneapolis Park system.

The Parks Foundation is the primary philanthropic partner to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, which stewards the city’s 6,790 acres of parkland and water. MPF also partners with a number of additional organizations that have a shared interest in excellence for Minneapolis parks and public spaces.

View or Download Our 2018-2019 Annual Report

Our Projects & Programs

The Parks Foundation is currently focusing on three core strategies:

  • Envisioning and advancing the Next Generation of Parks, through the RiverFirst Initiative and its signature projects. Water Works, Hall’s Island/Scherer and the Great Northern Greenway River Link will transform the way Minneapolis engages with the Upper Mississippi Riverfront, especially in our North and Northeast neighborhoods.
  • Leading community conversations around the role parks play in vital communities. Since 2010, hundreds of community members explored the intersection of parks and the environment, health, and equity through our Next Generation of Parks™ Lecture Series.
  • Driving equitable investment in our neighborhood parks to ensure everyone in Minneapolis lives within walking distance of a welcoming, vibrant park. With the help of our donors, we’ve provided philanthropic support in places like Bethune Park in North Minneapolis, Phillips Aquatic Center in South Minneapolis, and the new Northeast Park Recreation Center.

YOUR DONATION helps ensure the parks in our city remain accessible, equitable and serving everyone.

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