Beyond grants: other roles of foundations in facilitating delivery of park and recreation services in the US

Abstract

Six potential roles that foundations have adopted in the US in assisting park and recreation agencies, beyond their traditional function of grant-aiding projects, are discussed. First, they may be formed to directly deliver services. Second, they may facilitate donations and grants from sources which will not contribute directly to park and recreation agencies. Third, they are able to accept controversy and risk which agencies seek to avoid. Fourth, they provide agility, exemplified by rapid responses to property acquisition opportunities in the marketplace and pre-acquisition of specified properties for agencies. Specialist expertise in negotiation techniques, real estate finance strategies, tax planning, and property law is a fifth potential support role. Finally, foundations are better able to operate across jurisdictional boundaries.