Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $1,910,367 (2023)
- Success Rate: Not publicly available
- Decision Time: Varies by program (notification December for Treetops)
- Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000
- Geographic Focus: New York City (all five boroughs)
Contact Details
Main Office:
- Address: 830 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Phone: (212) 360-1399
- Website: https://cityparksfoundation.org
- General Email: info@cityparksfoundation.org
NYC Green Fund Grants:
- Email: NYCGreenFund@cityparksfoundation.org
- Grants Portal: cityparksfoundationgrants.secure-platform.com
Overview
Founded in 1989, City Parks Foundation is one of the oldest and largest citywide parks organizations in the United States. The organization operates as both a program provider and a grantmaker, offering free arts, sports, education, and community-building programs in over 400 parks, recreation centers, and public schools across New York City, serving approximately 285,000 New Yorkers annually. As a grantmaker, City Parks Foundation manages the NYC Green Fund, a pooled grant program that distributed $1,910,367 in grants during 2023. The Foundation's mission is to invigorate and transform parks into dynamic, vibrant centers of urban life, with a core belief that thriving parks mean thriving communities. In recent years, the organization has expanded its grantmaking through programs like Pathways, Treetops, and Grassroots grants, focusing on building an equitable and resilient network of parks and open spaces across all five boroughs.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
NYC Green Fund Grassroots Grant Program
- Grant Range: $1,000 - $40,000 (one- or two-year grants)
- Eligibility: Organizations with annual operating budgets under $175,000
- Focus: Community groups providing open space programming and stewardship across NYC
- Application: Online grants management system, rolling applications with annual deadlines
- Recent Awards: 58 recipients received grants from $1,220 to $36,800
NYC Green Fund Treetops Grant Program
- Grant Range: Up to $50,000 annually (one- or two-year grants, maximum 25% of operating budget)
- Eligibility: Organizations with annual operating budgets between $175,000 and $2,500,000
- Focus: Mid-size organizations supporting equitable and resilient park networks
- Application: Available to recent former grantees (must have received at least one CPF grant since 2020)
- Recent Awards: 32 organizations received a total of $913,000 in the 2023 program; 22 new grantees plus 21 second-year grantees in 2024
NYC Green Fund Pathways Grant Program
- Grant Range: $25,000 - $100,000 per year (up to two years, maximum 25% of operating budget)
- Eligibility: Organizations or joint applicants with demonstrated history of advancing NYC parks
- Focus: Systemic changes for equitable and vibrant park and open space systems
- Application: Two-step process with Letter of Inquiry (LOI) followed by full proposal for invited applicants
- Recent Awards: 10 recipients awarded $500,000 in 2024; 4 recipients awarded $220,000 in 2025
Special Response Grants
- The Foundation also offers rapid response grants for emergencies (e.g., $140,000 in wildfire rapid response grants in fall 2024)
Priority Areas
- Open Space Stewardship: Park maintenance, care, and volunteer mobilization
- Environmental Action: Climate resilience, urban forestry, green infrastructure
- Organizational Development: Capacity building for grassroots and mid-size parks nonprofits
- Health and Wellness: Programming that promotes physical and mental well-being
- Youth Development: Programs engaging young people in parks
- Arts and Culture: Live performances and cultural programming in parks
- Equity and Access: Priority given to Environmental Justice Areas identified by NYC's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- Systemic Change: Alternative funding sources, policy improvements, public-private partnerships
What They Don't Fund
- Government agencies as lead applicants (though they may be project partners)
- Organizations without demonstrated experience working in NYC's publicly accessible open spaces
- Organizations without 501(c)(3) public charity status (or fiscal sponsor with this status)
- Grant requests exceeding 25% of organizational operating budget (for Treetops and Pathways programs)
- Maximum grant amounts: $40,000 for Grassroots, $50,000 for Treetops, $100,000 for Pathways
- Organizations with outstanding reports from previous CPF grants
Governance and Leadership
Executive Leadership:
- Heather Lubov - Executive Director
- Simon Chu - Chief Financial Officer
- Erica Newman - Chief Operating Officer
- Rosemary R. Jorda - Chief Marketing and Development Officer
Key Program Staff:
- Sabina Saragoussi - Director, Partnerships for Parks
- Patricia Perone - Deputy Director, Partnerships for Parks
- Erika Elliott - Executive Artistic Director
- Mike Silverman - Director of Sports
Board Leadership:
- Roland Merchant Jr. - Chair
- David Barse - Executive Chair
- Susan K. Freedman - Vice Chair
- Bob Savitt - Vice Chair
- Lee Schalop - Treasurer
- Lary Wolf - Secretary
Notable Board Members:
- Bruce Ratner - Founding Chair Emeritus
- Andrew Tisch - Chairman Emeritus, Co-Chair of Loews Corporation
Executive Director Heather Lubov has been vocal about parks funding needs, stating: "Increased funding for parks is not optional" and "Parks are not a luxury." In her 2025 testimony to NYC Council, she emphasized: "It is shortsighted for the Administration to continue to reduce funding for parks when these green spaces so clearly provide millions of dollars in economic, environmental and health benefits."
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Online Application System: All applications and reports must be submitted through City Parks Foundation's online grants management system at cityparksfoundationgrants.secure-platform.com
Program-Specific Applications:
Grassroots Program:
- Application available through online portal
- Annual deadline (e.g., August 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM for recent cycle)
- Open to organizations with annual budgets under $175,000
- Information sessions offered to help applicants learn about the process
Treetops Program:
- Available to recent former grantees only (must have received at least one CPF grant since 2020)
- All interim and final reports must be completed before applying
- Organizations with budgets between $175,000-$2,500,000
- Notification in December
Pathways Program:
- Two-step application process
- Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
- Step 2: Full proposal (by invitation only for eligible projects)
- Organizations ineligible after LOI review are notified as soon as possible
- Must have demonstrated history managing foundation and/or government funds
Application Requirements:
- Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities or have a fiscal sponsor with this status
- Demonstrated experience working in NYC's publicly accessible open spaces
- Strong connection to the communities served
- Past grantees must complete all required interim and final reports before applying for new funding
Decision Timeline
- Pathways Program: Organizations not meeting eligibility are notified after LOI submission; full timeline varies
- Treetops Program: All applicants notified in December
- Grassroots Program: Timeline varies by application cycle
- Systems Change Program: Past cycles showed notification by end of January
Notification methods are primarily through email via the online grants management system.
Success Rates
Specific overall success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, based on recent awards data:
- Pathways: 10 awards made in 2024, 4 in 2025 (approximately 8 grants annually)
- Treetops: 32 awards in 2023, 43 total awards (22 new + 21 renewals) in 2024
- Grassroots: 58 awards announced in recent cycle
- Total Awards Annually: Approximately 62 awards in 2023, 69 in 2022, 65 in 2021
Reapplication Policy
Past grantees with successful awards are eligible and encouraged to reapply. For Treetops, organizations that received at least one CPF grant since 2020 are eligible to apply for two-year funding. The 2020 Systems Change grantees were noted as eligible to apply for subsequent rounds, with guidance to clarify how new proposals build upon or differ from previous projects.
There is no explicit restriction preventing unsuccessful applicants from reapplying in future cycles, though the Foundation emphasizes that all reports from previous grants must be completed before new applications are accepted.
Application Success Factors
Based on City Parks Foundation's guidance and recent grantee examples, successful applications demonstrate:
Strategic Alignment:
- Projects align with program priorities and the organization's mission aligns with grant purpose
- Clear focus on advancing equitable and vibrant parks and open spaces in NYC
- Work is concentrated in or serves Environmental Justice Areas (priority given)
Innovation and Impact:
- Projects address key systemic questions or test new ideas with potential for significant change
- Applications demonstrate potential for systems-level change (particularly for Pathways)
- Example: Brooklyn Greenway Initiative's 2024 Pathways award focused on building a "constituency for greenways" through community participation and advocacy
Feasibility and Capacity:
- Intended outcomes are achievable given proposed activities and resources
- Applicant is well-positioned to deliver results within project timeline
- Demonstrates relevant relationships and experience needed to execute the project
- Demonstrates history of managing foundation and/or government funds (for Pathways)
Strong Applications Include:
- Secured matching funds or in-kind contributions
- Monitoring and evaluation plans
- Letters of support from community stakeholders
- Education and/or public access components
- Workforce development elements
- Clear budget that doesn't exceed 25% of organizational operating budget (Treetops and Pathways)
Collaboration:
- Joint applications are welcomed for Pathways (combined budgets apply for 25% rule)
- Pathways program encourages coordination between organizations and provides spreadsheets to match partners
- Example: Riverside Park Conservancy partnered with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance for forest management framework implementation
Examples of Funded Projects:
- North Brooklyn Parks Alliance creating NYC's first business improvement district (BID) for park revenue
- New Yorkers for Parks building the Play Fair coalition for public support
- Urban Design Forum researching policy to reduce red tape for community-based organizations
- Waterfront Alliance creating How-To Guides for securing funding for unused open spaces
Information Sessions: The Foundation offers information sessions and webinars that cover eligibility, application processes, and tips for success. Past grantees participate to share their experiences and advice. Attending these sessions is highly recommended.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Focus on NYC's five boroughs: All projects must work in NYC's publicly accessible open spaces, with priority for Environmental Justice Areas
- Know your program track: Grassroots (under $175k budget), Treetops ($175k-$2.5M budget), or Pathways (systems change focus)
- Demonstrate community connection: Strong ties to the communities served and demonstrated experience in NYC parks are essential
- Think systemically for Pathways: This program seeks systemic changes, not just individual projects—focus on policy, funding mechanisms, and scalable solutions
- Attend information sessions: The Foundation offers webinars with past grantees sharing advice—this insider guidance is invaluable
- Complete all reports: Outstanding reports from previous grants will block new applications—stay current
- Respect budget caps: Don't request more than 25% of your operating budget (Treetops/Pathways) or more than the program maximum
- Build partnerships: Joint applications are welcomed, especially for Pathways—collaboration strengthens applications
- Leverage NYC Green Fund funders: The fund is supported by major foundations including Revson, Helmsley, JPB, and others—understanding this collaborative model helps frame applications
References
- City Parks Foundation Official Website - NYC Green Fund Programs. https://cityparksfoundation.org/nycgreenfund/ (Accessed January 2026)
- City Parks Foundation - Staff and Board. https://cityparksfoundation.org/staff-and-board/ (Accessed January 2026)
- City Parks Foundation Grants Portal - Pathways, Treetops, and Systems Change Program Guidelines. https://cityparksfoundationgrants.secure-platform.com (Accessed January 2026)
- Inside Philanthropy. "How City Parks Foundation Channels Funds to Small Parks Nonprofits Across New York." February 2024. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2024-2-22-in-olmsteds-stead-behind-city-parks-foundations-push-for-nyc-parks
- Brooklyn Eagle. "City Parks Foundation awards Green Fund Pathways Grants to change-makers building equitable and vibrant parks." July 11, 2024. https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2024/07/11/city-parks-foundation-awards-green-fund-pathways-grants/
- The Charles H. Revson Foundation. "City Parks Foundation Awards NYC Green Fund Pathways Grants to Change-Makers Building Equitable and Vibrant Parks." 2024. https://revsonfoundation.org/news/city-parks-foundation-awards-nyc-green-fund-pathways-grants-to-change-makers-building-equitable-and-vibrant-parks/
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - City Parks Foundation Inc (EIN 13-3561657). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133561657 (Accessed January 2026)
- City Parks Foundation - About Us. https://cityparksfoundation.org/about-us/ (Accessed January 2026)
- City Meetings NYC - Testimony by Heather Lubov, Executive Director of City Parks Foundation, on Parks Budget. March 20, 2025 and May 13, 2025. https://citymeetings.nyc (Accessed January 2026)
- Instrumentl - City Parks Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/city-parks-foundation-inc (Accessed January 2026)
- fundsforNGOs - NYC Green Fund Grant Programs. https://us.fundsforngos.org (Accessed January 2026)