The Community Partner Network is an integral part of SF Parks Alliance and our mission to create, sustain and advocate for parks and public spaces across San Francisco. The program is at the core of our belief that when public spaces are cared for, they unite neighbors and build stronger communities.
Our Community Partner Network application is now closed. Check this page for updates on our next application cycle and reach out to partners@sfparksalliance.org with any questions in the meantime.
Our Community Partner Network is made up of passionate and knowledgeable stewards that share a vision for improving public spaces across San Francisco. SF Parks Alliance provides these partners with administrative support, guidance for fundraising and project management, and resources for skill sharing and capacity building.
Currently, the Community Partner Network consists of: 80+ fiscally sponsored Community Partners, 150+ additional public space stewards through the Street Parks program, and 25+ mission-aligned organizations.
SF Parks Alliance connects partners through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and ongoing programming and communication. When our Community Partners lean on each other’s wisdom, they come closer to achieving their individual and collective goals. Together, these partners are much more than just a collection of groups receiving our support – they are local leaders working together to make San Francisco a better place to live, play and grow.
SF Parks Alliance supports groups who are actively working to create a more inclusive neighborhood space, and are committed to advancing environmental, social, and economic justice.
Community Partners work across a wide range of public spaces, from small community gardens to major parks. Partners are often formed around a shared desire, such as renovating a playground, transforming a stairway, or maintaining an urban green space.
As their projects evolve, partners may focus on specific project stages, including community engagement, fundraising, capital improvements, or programming. Sometimes, partners do all of these simultaneously. Many groups successfully carry out significant capital improvements – but this alone does not guarantee thriving spaces.
It takes a village to get and keep a project going. Successful community improvement projects require patience, flexibility and the wherewithal to organize your group and navigate complex processes. When successful, these projects bring us closer to becoming a city where every park and public space is welcoming and vibrant, strengthens community connections, and belongs to everyone.
Fiscally sponsored Community Partners receive the following services:
Membership to our Community Partner Network, with email updates through our Partner Newsletter, invitations to workshops, webinars, and other events; and facilitated connections to other partners based on project needs and opportunities
Invitation to the organization’s annual Public Space Summit
501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for tax deductible donations and grant eligibility under SF Parks Alliance
Dedicated online webpage on the SF Parks Alliance website
Customizable donation page embedded within the Partner webpage, and the ability to track and manage online donations
Donor tax receipts
Coordination of Insurance coverage and (by request) liability insurance certificate for up to $1 million per occurrence
Bi-weekly reimbursement and payment requests
Quarterly Financial Reports to track revenue and expenses
Grant application review, administration and record-keeping
Review of fundraising materials and online campaigns
Communication and promotion of events through SF Parks Alliance’s social media
Additional support beyond base services can be provided and results in additional fees. The baseline fiscal sponsorship fee starts at 5% and may increase depending on these additional services. Please note in the application if you believe that you will need support beyond these base services.
Also, note that SF Parks Alliance does not donate to Community Partner projects.
SF Parks Alliance offers Model-A comprehensive fiscal sponsorship. This means that the funds, contracts, and liabilities of each Partner project or initiative are housed within SF Parks Alliance. When a group becomes a Community Partner, SF Parks Alliance assumes both legal and financial responsibility for their project.
Each Community Partner representative is responsible for ensuring that their project is adhering to our Partner guidelines and policies. We believe it is critical that the leadership of the group are the primary decision makers for each project, but SF Parks Alliance has complete authority to intervene and direct operations, if necessary.
Community Does your project have a team and assigned team leaders?
Capacity Do you and your team have the capacity to organize volunteer days, review budgets and timelines, and conduct outreach?
Long-term Vision Are you and your team prepared to work on your project or initiative for over a year? Do you have a long-term, sustainable vision?
Collaboration Is there an existing SF Parks Alliance Community Partner who is already working on your site or in your neighborhood? Have you contacted them and asked about collaborating?
Our Community Partner Network application is now closed. Check this page for updates on our next application cycle and reach out to partners@sfparksalliance.org with any questions in the meantime.
The Community team is made up of Community Managers providing support and guidance to nearly 90 Community Partners across San Francisco.
Our Community team works closely with our Activation and Capital teams. Each Community Manager is committed to strengthening connections between Community Partners, building their capacity, and promoting stewardship as a means for positive change in parks and public spaces across San Francisco.
Meet Our Community Partners
SF Parks Alliance supports over 80 Community Partners who are working to create better parks and public spaces across San Francisco.
ACED works to bring inspiring and expansive public art experiences to downtown San Francisco. They seek to champion local artists and draw in residents, commuters, and tourists alike.
In the summer of 2008, a group of neighbors living near the intersection of Athens and Avalon Streets began to talk about turning the hillside at that intersection into a garden. This group has since transformed the hillside into an inviting and beautiful open space for the community
The College Hill Neighborhood Association (CHNA) is an important collaborator on the Bernal Cut Restoration Project, and welcomes neighbors from all sides to help transform the Bernal Cut!
Burnside Mural+ is a resident-led initiative to create a visual representation of the colorful history of Glen Park that includes both a large mural and a tiled stairway.
Comerford Greenway’s mission is to beautify the alley, build neighborhood pride, and make it inviting to pedestrians by cleaning up the alley, planting native plants/removing concrete, installing lighting, and adding murals.
