Chicago
Park Advisory Council
Resource Guide

Created by the Chicago Parks Foundation
The 501(c)3 Partner of the Chicago Parks


In partnership with Chicago Park District’s Park Advisory Councils

Welcome! The Chicago parks are grateful to the hundreds of volunteers who come together to form Park Advisory Councils, working together to improve their parks and keep communities engaged in park activities and opportunities.

Created by the Chicago Parks Foundation, this Resource Guide is intended to provide basic guidelines and expectations for all Park Advisory Councils. It is a work in progress and may be updated over time. Our goal is to always work together as a team and learn from each other. When concerns or questions arise that are not outlined here, we can address them together to achieve the best resolution for all.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Definitions
Chapter 2 Chicago Parks Foundation Overview
Chapter 3 Chicago Park District Overview
Chapter 4 PAC Roles & Responsibilities
Chapter 5 Fundraising
Chapter 6 Communications

Questions or comments? Please reach out to Triana Callam, Community Programs Manager, at tcallam@chicagoparksfoundation.org or 773-505-9477.

LAST UPDATED AUGUST 2026. REVIEWED AND UPDATED AS NEEDED.

  • Who is the Chicago Parks Foundation? Established in 2013, the Chicago Parks Foundation (CPF) is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.   

    Like many nonprofit organizations, we serve many functions for our great city. Public parks need private support. CPF’s primary role is to be a fundraising arm for the Chicago parks. We serve as a fiscal agent for the Chicago Park District, provide new opportunities for park lovers to connect with their parks, and work with Park Advisory Councils in a variety of ways.  

    One of those ways is to serve as a fiscal agent to Park Advisory Councils (PACs) who want to fundraise for Park District-approved projects and activities in their respective parks. In addition to being the fundraising advisors for PACs, the CPF can provide the accountability and tax exempt status that many donors require.

    What is a Fiscal Agent? A fiscal agent is a nonprofit organization that manages funds and donations on behalf of another group or project with an aligned mission. The CPF serves as a fiscal agent for Park Advisory Councils (and the Chicago Park District), allowing them to accept tax-deductible charitable donations and grants without having to establish their own 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The CPF safeguards funds, processes financial transactions, provides accounting and tax reporting, and ensures that expenditures comply with nonprofit regulations and donors’ intent.

    This allows Park Advisory Councils to focus on improving their parks while the Foundation provides financial stewardship and accountability.

    Who is the Chicago Park District? The Chicago Park District is an independent unit of government responsible for managing and maintaining more than 600 parks, playgrounds, beaches, golf courses, harbors and recreational facilities across the city. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors by providing safe, accessible and inclusive parks, programs and public spaces that promote recreation, wellness, conservation and community.  If you live in Chicago, a portion of your taxes goes directly to the Chicago Park District.

    More information on the Chicago Park District can be found in Section II.

    What are Park Advisory Councils? Park community members come together to form a Park Advisory Council (PAC) under the Chicago Park District to advocate for and support their neighborhood parks, including fundraising and planning events and programming. 

  • This chapter introduces the Chicago Parks Foundation, the fiscal agent of the Chicago Park District and dozens of Park Advisory Councils.

    The Chicago Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as fiscal agent for the Park District, in addition to any Park Advisory Council in good standing that wants to fundraise and therefore needs a fiscal sponsor. More information about fiscal sponsorship & fundraising can be found in Chapter 4.

    Applications to join our fiscal sponsorship program, Partnership For Parks, are open year-round. Please reach out to Triana at tcallam@chicagoparksfoundation.org with any questions.

    In this chapter:
    Click the links below to download & view documents.

    1. Chicago Parks Foundation 101 presentation slides

    2. Chicago Parks Foundation Partnership For Parks flyer

  • This chapter presents Chicago Park District information about Chicago Park Advisory Councils. 
    Please visit the Chicago Park District Advisory Council webpage for more details.

    Advisory Council Forms:
    Click the links below to download & view documents.
    All existing and newly formed advisory councils and those interested in becoming an advisory council, must review and complete the forms below. Email the completed Application, Registration Form, Partnership Pledge and By-Laws to the Chicago Park District Community Engagement Department to lca@chicagoparkdistrict.com. 

    1. Advisory Council Guidelines*

    2. Advisory Council Letter of Intent Sample*

    3. Advisory Council Membership Application*

    4. Advisory Council Registration Form*

    5. Advisory Council By-Laws*

    6. Advisory Council Code of Conduct*

    7. Advisory Council Officer Update Form*

    Additional resources:
    Click the links below to download & view documents.

    1. Chicago Park District Organizational Chart*

    2. Chicago Park District Structure & Contact Information*

    3. A. Chicago Park District Areas Map*
      B. Chicago Park District Staffed Facilities + Regions Map*

    4. Park Enhancement Committee FAQ*

    5. Chicago Park District 2026 Holiday Schedule*

    If you have any further questions about Chicago Park District Advisory Councils, please call the Department of Community Engagement at (312) 742-2797 or email lca@chicagoparkdistrict.com.

    *Materials provided by Chicago Park District.

  • This chapter contains important documents and resources for the various PAC roles, as well as standard PAC procedures.

    To be in good standing with the Chicago Park District, a PAC must have at least 3 elected board members; most PACs vote to have one person each fulfill the roles of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.

    PACs must follow certain procedures for regular meetings, any events, and annual reporting. The documents in this chapter have more information on those procedures, or are general useful forms for PACs.

    In this chapter:
    Click the links below to download and view documents.

    1. PAC Activity Request Form*

    2. Guidelines for PAC Meetings*

    3. Guidelines & Template for Treasurer Monthly Report*

    *Materials provided by Chicago Park District.

  • This chapter includes various documents and resources for PACs that are planning on fundraising, whether it be for a larger park project, events, or general operations.

    In accordance with the Chicago Park District PAC Guidelines, any PAC that receives donations must be sponsored by a 501(c)3 organization. Some PACs apply for and maintain their own 501(c)3, but that process involves extensive paperwork and annual reporting to local and state agencies. So, a preferred alternative for many PACs is to operate under a fiscal sponsor, which in most cases is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a similar mission, such as the Chicago Parks Foundation.

    Currently, 73 PACs are fiscally sponsored by the Chicago Parks Foundation. Other fiscal sponsors for Chicago PACs include Friends of the Parks and in some cases, local chambers of commerce or other nonprofit organizations. 

    The Chicago Parks Foundation encourages all PACs in good standing to join our fiscal sponsorship program! Benefits include a Free Fifth Third Bank account, use of CPF’s 501(c)3 status to fundraise for tax deductible gifts for park projects, use of sales tax exemption on park project purchases, and more. More information about our fiscal sponsorship program, Partnership For Parks, can be found in Chapter 1.

    In this chapter:
    Click the links below to download & view documents.

    1. Chicago Parks Foundation Fundraising Presentation - 2026 PAC Conference

    2. GiveButter: Fundraising Platform for Fiscally Sponsored Organizations
      GiveButter is a free, user-friendly online donation management tool that the Chicago Parks Foundation recommends to any PAC that wants to receive and manage donations online. Any PAC that is fiscally sponsored by a non-profit organization can sign up for GiveButter, and will receive a GiveButter badge and additional perks. Read more about Givebutter’s fiscal sponsor verification here.

    3. Chicago Park District PAC Capital Partnership Pledge*

    *Materials provided by Chicago Park District.

  • This chapter presents information and resources to assist PACs in all types of communications to their park community and beyond. 

    CPF hosts a virtual PAC Roundtable series throughout the year. These are active, participatory webinars focused on various topics. Check out the slide decks from past Roundtables to learn more.

    In this section:
    Click the links below to download & view documents.

    1. Chicago Parks Foundation Communications Presentation - 2026 PAC Conference

    2. Chicago Parks Foundation Roundtable Notes

 

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