ABOUT US

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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 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

BRIAN P. COLLINS
Pedersen & Houpt

MICHAEL ERWIN
SPINS

MATTHEW JACOBSON

KATHERINE MACKENZIE
Blue State Digital

MARK MITTEN
Mitten Group, Inc.

MARK-HANS RICHER
Fortune Brands

BRYAN TRAUBERT
Pritzker Traubert Foundation

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OUR TEAM

WILLA IGLITZEN LANG
Executive Director

EMILY BEACH
Community Programs Manager

BRANDY FREELAND-KUHL
Charity Team Manager

SONIA HORVATH
Director of Special Events & Partnerships

MICHAELE STRAUCH
Director of Communications & Engagement

JENNIFER GREENE
Development & Finance Administrator

 
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