FRIENDS OF FORDS POND
Where everyone plays together!
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Sutherlin is located in Douglas County, which is reported as one of the unhealthiest counties in Oregon. According to the 2018 Douglas County Community Health Assessment, several key health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and dementia could be improved through outdoor recreation, specifically walking in nature.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Implementation of Master Plan
Begin implementation of the park's facilities identified as 6 phases of construction:
1 Pond Perimeter Path ($705,200) - Funding committed by Oregon state parks grant programs
2A Southeast Community Park; Phase 1 Parking, Restrooms, Paths, Picnic Shelter ($906,345) Funding committed by Oregon state parks grant programs
2B Southeast Community Park; inclusive natural playground ($300,000) - Actively fundraising now!
3 North Frontage; parking, boat launch, boat parking, restroom enclosure ($545,000) - Oregon State Marine Board application submitted in March 2021
4 West Hillside; trails, viewpoints, benches, oak savanna restoration ($194,000) - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners grant for $25,000 underway for oak savanna restoration (400 seedlings planted in 2020)
5 Secondary Trails; viewpoints, bird blinds, shelter ($228,800)
6 Wetland Enhancement; wetland restoration and enhancement, viewing platforms, boardwalks ($476,200)
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
NonProfit Association of Oregon 2020
External reviews

Photos
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
This project will provide safe access to new walking opportunities for existing and expanded user groups and is a priority of the city’s Parks and Open Space Plan (2005) and the Ford’s Pond Master Plan (2017). According to public input during the master planning process, the park’s recreational potential could not be realized due to inaccessibility issues and mobility-challenged persons felt underserved. These barriers were cited as the reason many did not use the park, with “falling/injury” listed as a primary concern. The public’s perception is that the park is only for able-bodied persons. We are aiming to achieve funding for the first improvements at Ford’s Pond, which is a 1.7-mile ADA-Accessible pathway.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Utilize funding through the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, private donations and charitable foundations. We have partnered with local organizations Including:
The Ford Family Foundation
Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation
Rotary Club of Sutherlin
Lions Club of Sutherlin
Sutherlin Area Chamber of Commerce
Umpqua Valley Audubon Society
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have 5 board members and a pro-bono grant writer and 37 volunteers working hard to achieve our goals.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2019, the Friends prepared 2 state parks grants totaling $632,000, on the city's behalf, which were awarded; obtained matching grants and donations totaling $76,000 from The Ford Family Foundation, Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation, Sutherlin Area Chamber of Commerce, C. Giles Hunt Charitable Trust, Rotary and Lions Clubs, local businesses and individuals, to fund the first phase of capital improvements. In 2020, design and engineering services are underway to construct an ADA-accessible path and parking area, and utilities for a future restroom.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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FRIENDS OF FORDS POND
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
Mr. James Houseman
Friends of Ford's Pond
Term: 2021 - 2022
Beth Houseman
Retired
Brian Menefee
Wicks Emmett CPA
Larry Whitaker
City of Sutherlin Councilor
Geoff Faraghan
Winery Co-owner
Crystal Cunningham
Sutherlin Family Church
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/24/2020GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.