ABOUT US
The Chicago Parks Foundation is the 501c3 partner of the Chicago parks.
Our mission is to build a stronger community dedicated to supporting and conserving our city’s parks.
CHICAGO’S PARKS
Chicago has an incredible parks system, one of the oldest and largest in the nation. The Chicago Park District stewards 8,500+ acres of public green space, including more than 600 parks, 230 field houses, 26 miles of Lakefront, and thousands of vital community programs.
OUR WORK
Our parks are an essential part of our city’s physical landscape. And the Chicago Parks Foundation believes they should be just as important to Chicago’s charitable landscape.
The Chicago Parks Foundation (CPF) launched in 2013 as the nonprofit partner of the Chicago parks. We are an independent 501c3 organization working in the collaborative spirit with the Chicago Park District as an accountable local resource for all.
Our goal is to help park users and lovers become park givers and stewards. We bring community ideas to action, raising funds and awareness for park projects all across the city via:
Community outreach & programming
Restoration & enhancement projects
Fiscal & community partnerships
Signature fundraising events
Sharing park history & stories
When you invest in the parks, you are investing in the communities who depend on them. Because it’s the people who make the parks, and every Chicago community - from South Side to North, West Side to Lakefront - has a unique park story.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MICHAEL D. SMITH, Chairman
Fifth Third Bank
STEPHEN R. QUAZZO, Vice Chairman
Pearlmark Real Estate Partners
KAREN SHEEHAN, MD MPH, Secretary
Ann & Robert Lurie Children’s Hospital
MICHAEL ERWIN
SPINS
MATTHEW JACOBSON
KATHERINE MACKENZIE
Blue State Digital
MARK MITTEN
Mitten Group, Inc.
MARK-HANS RICHER
Fortune Brands
MATTHEW X. ROLING
KPMG
BRYAN TRAUBERT
Pritzker Traubert Foundation
OUR TEAM
WILLA IGLITZEN LANG
Executive Director
EMILY BEACH
Community Programs Manager
BRANDY FREELAND-KUHL
Charity Team Manager
JENNIFER GREENE
Development & Finance Administrator
SONIA HORVATH
Director of Special Events & Partnerships
MICHAELE STRAUCH
Director of Communications & Engagement