SF Parks Alliance faces $5.5M operating deficit

Past leadership at the SF Parks Alliance let costs outrun revenue and dozens of partner projects are on hold while the Parks Alliance seeks bridge loans and renegotiates grants.

The Facts

The San Francisco Parks Alliance—the nonprofit that fiscally sponsors more than 200 community park and open-space groups—has a $5.5 million operating deficit, has laid off staff, and is behind on reimbursing neighborhood groups for pre-approved expenses.

Interim CEO Robert Ogilvie confirmed that past leadership let costs outrun revenue and that dozens of partner projects (including work at Buena Vista Park and Lafayette Park) are on hold while the Parks Alliance seeks bridge loans and renegotiates grants. The board says it will honor every obligation, but several volunteer groups have already cut ties, citing unpaid invoices and lack of financial transparency.

The Context

The Parks Alliance has long been City Hall’s go-to for private dollars that improve playgrounds, plazas, and pop-up events. Our parks are beautiful, safe, and well-programmed in no small part because of the Parks Alliance. JFK promenade, Sundown Cinema, and Crane Cove are a handful of the projects supported by their team.

In February, former CEO of the Parks Alliance Drew Becher quietly left the Parks Alliance after leading the organization for eight years. The San Francisco Standard reports that the organization had seen declining revenue since 2019, noting their 2023 IRS filings of $9.3M in revenue and almost $15M in expenses.

GrowSF Take

Leaders need to make the difficult decisions sooner, even when it means letting go of jobs. The Parks Alliance has served our neighborhoods for years, and we’re grateful for the staff and volunteers who pour their hearts into our shared green spaces. Transparency is an act of care, too, and we’re glad to see the Parks Alliance make changes and get back on track.