2026 Partnership for Parks
Fiscal Partnership Agreement

Chicago Parks Foundation & Park Partner

A.  ABOUT CHICAGO PARKS FOUNDATION

The Chicago Parks Foundation (“CPF,” “we,” “us” or similar language) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization organized under the laws of the State of Illinois. We are qualified as exempt from federal income tax under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

As a nonprofit organization, the Chicago Parks Foundation is organized for certain purposes only, and everything we do must fit within the charitable purposes of our mission: to build a stronger community dedicated to supporting and conserving parks in Chicago.

“Park Partner” refers to your Park Advisory Council (PAC), Community Garden, Dog Park Advisory Council, or Advisory Council (AC) in general. You are designating the Chicago Parks Foundation as your fiscal agent.

CPF Contact Information

Triana Callam
Community Programs Manager
(773) 505-9477 • tcallam@chicagoparksfoundation.org

Willa Iglitzen Lang
Executive Director
(773) 505-9742 • wlang@chicagoparksfoundation.org

Chicago Parks Foundation Mailing Address
PO Box 14147
Chicago, IL 60614

B.  FISCAL SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION 


Duration

The terms of this letter of agreement begin on the date listed at the bottom of this form and will be reevaluated in January of the following year. Either party may terminate this agreement with 30 days written notice pending final accounting reconciliation.

This agreement may be amended only by the mutual written consent of the Park Partner and CPF. Notice of written changes shall be sufficient if given to the contacts listed above.

Fees & Costs

1) You agree to pay an annual fiscal sponsorship fee of $75 and agree to use our designated bank partner, Fifth Third Bank. The sponsorship fee will be collected at the time the Park Partner joins the program.

  • Park partners who join between January and July 31st of a given year will pay their second sponsorship fee by January 31st of the following year

    • Example: PAC first joined CPF between January and August of 2026. Their next payment will be due January 2027.

  • Park partners who join on or after August 1st will be grandfathered into the following year, i.e. their second sponsorship fee will not be due until the second January from the original payment’s year.

    • Example: PAC first joined CPF between August and December of 2026. Their next payment will not be due until January 2028. 

  • Once your billing cycle aligns with January, your annual payments will always be due by January 31st of each year. You will be notified in advance of when the annual payment is due.

2) Any gifts $2,000 and greater must be made payable to the Chicago Parks Foundation, where they will be recorded in your account and donors acknowledged. Checks will be reissued to the Park Partner with the proper documentation (invoices, etc.) for expenses. For more details on the fund distribution process, please reach out to the contacts listed above.

3) Currently, Fifth Third Bank extends free checking accounts to our Park Partners. However, if Park Partner wishes to utilize additional services this must be discussed and fees may apply for the Partner.

  • CPF reserves the right to remove a Park Partner from the program and terminate this contract if banking accounts are overdrawn or experience other negligence.

  • If a Park Partner being charged extraneous fees or is concerned that they’re being overcharged, it is the onus of the Park Partner to reach out to CPF and Fifth Third Bank to address this concern.

Roles & Responsibilities

Chicago Parks Foundation shall:

  1. Provide to Park Partner the CPF Federal Tax ID Letter and the CPF Illinois Sales Tax Exemption Certificate.

  2. Initiate partnership between you and our designated bank partner, Fifth Third Bank.

  3. Provide marketing, programming, and event consultation to your organization as requested.

  4. Accept payment(s) restricted to Park Partner for gifts $2,000 and greater.

  5. If requested by the Park Partner, explore a potential partnership in fundraising projects. Projects are evaluated by the CPF on a case by case basis to determine CPF's role in the project, and what, if any, additional fees will be charged based on the services provided by the CPF. For more information on fundraising projects, please reach out to the contacts listed above.

Park Partner shall:

  1. Apply for Tax ID number (TIN/EIN) for banking purposes for your Park Partnership. You will only use the Chicago Parks Foundation Tax ID number to collect donations and for tax exempt purchasing.

  2. CPF will provide contact for Park Partner to open a Fifth Third Bank account through this fiscal sponsorship program and utilize Fifth Third Bank for banking services.

  3. Maintain accurate and timely financial records of contributions and expenditures, and submit semi-annual income/expense reports to CPF. Reports due January 31st and July 31st of each year. You will be notified in advance of when the report is due.

    • Park Partners must submit semi-annual reports even if there is no change in balance or no income reported for the time period. For tax purposes, CPF must have written documentation of all Park Partner financial information.

  4. If and when Park Partner receives donations, Park Partner must send the appropriate acknowledgement of tax-deductible contribution to all contributors (see acknowledgement language below).*

  5. All accepted donations should only be used for Park Partner projects and expenses.

  6. Use CPF Illinois State Tax Exemption Certificate solely for fundraising purposes of your park.

  7. Notify CPF of any grant applications/awards and gifts $2,000 and greater. Inform CPF promptly of any gifts that are being directed to the CPF.

  8. Retain all books, records, or other documents relevant to this agreement for 3 years after this agreement is no longer in effect.

  9. Inform CPF immediately when Park Partner board leadership changes.

    • Just as is required by the Chicago Park District, Advisory Councils should provide CPF updates whenever the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, or other board position member changes. This information may be provided via email to the contacts listed above.

  10. Include Chicago Parks Foundation’s name and logo (provided by CPF) as your fiscal agent on all public-facing fundraising materials.

  11. Remain in good standing with the Chicago Park District.

Failure to comply with the items listed may result in the removal from the Partnership for Parks program.  

*Per #4, Language at the end of acknowledgement letters should read:

The Chicago Parks Foundation is serving as the fiscal agent to the ___________________ Park Advisory Council. Executive Board Members of the ___________________ Park Advisory Council have the authority vested in them, through Chicago Parks Foundation, to use the tax status and sales tax exemption letter for the purpose of fundraising for park related activities. The Chicago Parks Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization (FEIN Tax ID#: 45-4866050). Please consult with your tax advisor for tax deduction direction for your gift.

C.  ABOUT YOUR GROUP

Please keep us updated about your Advisory Council (AC) by completing the information below to the best of your ability and in the most detail possible.

You are a neighborhood organization (“you,” “your,” “Park Partner,” “AC” or similar language) and have received or may receive funds to be used to generally enhance your park and/or for specific park projects. You have designated the Chicago Parks Foundation as your fiscal partner.