FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK FOUNDATION, INC.
Help Enrich YOUR Fairfax County Parks!
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Fairfax County Park Authority receives less than 6/10 of one percent of Fairfax County's General Fund budget and while fees provide nearly 60% of operating expenses, some programs and facilities can't be fee-based. These outreach areas are needs in which the Foundation specifically provides support to help to close the gap between resources and community needs.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Rec-PAC Summer Camp
Rec-PAC is the Fairfax County Park Foundation’s campaign to provide summer camp support and scholarships for elementary school children who are eligible for free and reduced –price school lunches. The children are enrolled with other kids in the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Rec-PAC summer camps – a six week, seven hours per day structured recreation program. Camps were held at 40 elementary schools throughout the county. Camp activities include fitness and nutrition, indoor and outdoor games, sports, nature, crafts, talent shows and community service projects. There are even special inclusion sites for children with disabilities. In an average year, more than 4,000 children stay active in the educational RecPAC Summer Camp program.
See more at https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/our-projects/recpac-summer-camp/
PACT
The PACT (Parks and Community Together) program provides children in homeless shelters and transitional housing with the opportunity to participate in six weeks of summer camp programming operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority with providers of temporary housing to homeless families. Program staff coordinates with the shelters to recruit and enroll participants. Approximately 60 children in supportive housing are enrolled in summer to meet the growing demand. The program’s benefits impact the whole family. The children learn from the structured group recreation experience designed to enhance motor development, promote independence, improve social interaction, and foster positive self-image. The family members have the reassurance that their children are receiving quality care giving them some work time to make arrangements for a more stable future for their family. Pre and post camp care is also offered to those families who need it.
Stewardship Education Center
FCPF is raising funds for the new Stewardship Education Center is coming late 2022 to the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park within the Sully Woodlands in Chantilly, VA. It will be a state-of-the-art interpretive center for the community to learn about animals, wildlife, and preservation.
The Stewardship Education Center is designed to be a “Living Building,” one of a few in the region and approximately 30 in the world! It will be sustainably designed to rely solely on renewable forms of energy and will operate year-round in a pollution free manner. It will be created from environmentally friendly materials and designed to be accessible to all regardless of ability, age, or socioeconomic status.
See more at: https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/our-projects/sully-woodlands-stewardship-educational-center/
Chessie's BIG Backyard @ Lee District Park
Adopt a Chesapeake Bay themed Carousel Animal to help this special park! A new carousel, similar to that at Clemyjontri Park in McLean, opened July 8, 2017 at Springfield’s Lee District Park. Located near Chessie's BIG Backyard play area and Our Special Harbor sprayground, this accessible carousel is a place which every child, including individuals with mobility issues, can enjoy.
See more at https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/our-projects/chessies-big-backyard-at-lee-district-park/
FCPA Summer Entertainment Series & Arts in the Parks
The Park Authority and generous FCPF sponsors presents a summer-long series of shows, concerts and movies. Shows in local parks are the perfect place to bring a picnic dinner, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the best local and regional entertainers. Best of all, they are close to home and absolutely free to attendees! The more than 200 performances range from children's puppet shows to big band, jazz, bluegrass, rock, classical and world music. For those who love a classic, enjoy a nostalgic return to the good old days and the drive-in theatre where audiences can view movies from the comfort of their car.
Arts in the Parks is a free cultural series of 40 shows for nearly 10,000 children under six years old in accessible locations each summer at Fairfax County parks. Arts in the Parks is offered to all children representing the diversity of the Fairfax County population with no cost to attendees.
See more at https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/our-projects/summer-entertainment-series
Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)
The Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE) project engages fourth and seventh grade students in a hands-on educational program about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The objective is to increase the students’ understanding about causes and consequences of watershed pollution. The MWEE project’s hands-on approach connects young people to the outdoors by allowing them to physically explore. Students gain a better understanding of the root causes and consequences of local watershed pollution and develop skills to become better stewards of the watershed. Many students are exposed for the first time to gardening through the planting of native species and to the wildlife found in a stream habitat. While the projects are held at various sites in the county, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center alone, 400 4th graders from Title 1 schools and 1,000 7th graders participated.
See more at https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/our-projects/meaningful-watershed-education-experience/
FCPA Class Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of donors, income-eligible senior adults, dependents of income-eligible families and adults with disabilities who reside in Fairfax County may receive up to one class scholarship per quarter. Class scholarships for FCPA RECenter and nature center classes for people of all ages and abilities. These need-based scholarships for individuals to register for Fairfax County Park Authority classes. Requests for scholarships which provide education and health benefits has increased due to economic conditions.
See more at https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/our-projects/fairfax-county-park-authority-class-scholarships/
Honoring Americas Veterans, U.S. Armed Forces and Families
Honoring America's Veterans is a special Fairfax County Park Authority program to express appreciation to the Fairfax County residents who serve or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. RECenter and FCPA facilities scholarships for veterans including wounded warriors. On both Veterans' Day and Memorial Day, veterans, active duty military personnel and their families receive complimentary admission at the Park Authority's nine RECenters as well as participation in drop-in fitness classes, use of pools and spas, drop-in fitness classes, fitness rooms, gyms and racquetball courts at FCPA’s nine recreational facilities. Free camping at Burke Lake Park is also offered throughout Veterans Day weekend. This Park Foundnation outreach is the Park Authority’s way of saying “thank you” for service to our country.
See more at https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/our-projects/honoring-americas-veterans/
Healthy Strides - 12 Steps to Health!
Healthy Strides is a sponsored, free health and wellness awareness program that helps you make better decisions about your health one month at a time. Each month is dedicated to one healthy goal with credible information for achieving it and a guide for forming healthy habits. Build upon each goal from month to month and by the end of December, you will have developed a sustainable balance in your health. Healthy Strides Community 5K/10K run and walk is held at Burke Lake Park each spring.
See more at https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/our-projects/healthy-strides/
Burke Lake Park Picnic Celebration Shelters
Within its 888 acres, Burke Lake Park has something for everyone - a 218-acre lake with fishing, boating, rowboat rental, camping, a miniature train, a carousel, outdoor volleyball courts, open fields, an 18-hole par 3 golf course, clubhouse with snack bar and driving range, disc golf, horse shoe pits, an ice cream parlor, picnic areas with grills, 3 playgrounds, trails, amphitheater, and miniature golf course.
Burke Lake trails are some of the best in the country – the American Hiking Society has named Burke Lake fitness trails one of the 10 best in the nation and Best Park in the metropolitan DC area! Two Burke Lake Park Picnic Shelters are now available for a nominal fee to bring families and community together for celebrations.
See more at https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/our-projects/burke-lake-park-improvement-campaign/
Where we work
Awards
National Humanitarian Award - Corporate 2011
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Nonprofit of the Year Award - Finalist 2012
Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce
Jim Potter Memorial scholar - Roberta Longworth, Executive Director 2018
National Capital Gift Planning Council
National Gold Medal Award - FCPA 2019
National Recreation & Park Association
FCPF Newsletter NAGC Award of Excellence 2021
National Association of Govermnent Communicators
Affiliations & memberships
Association of Fundraising Professionals - Member 2023
United Way Member Agency #9400 2023
Combined Federal Campaign #38066 2023
Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign #08227 2023
National Capital Gift Planning Council 2023
National Association of Park Foundations 2023
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total dollars received in contributions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Health, Social and economic status, Family relationships
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
FCPF supports parks by raising funds, obtaining grants to supplement tax dollars for parkland, facilities and outreach! Results list pre-audit total (in-kind and cash basis monetary) giving.
Total number of free performances given
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Ethnic and racial groups, Social and economic status, Family relationships
Related Program
FCPA Summer Entertainment Series & Arts in the Parks
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
In 2023, 37,696 attendees enjoyed concerts in FCPA parks to enjoy the best regional and national entertainers. Best of all, they are close to home at 20 sites and free to the community!
Number of participants engaged in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Ethnic and racial groups, Health, Social and economic status
Related Program
Rec-PAC Summer Camp
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Generous gifts allowed more than 700 children to attend summer camp in 2023! More than 3,603 weeks of RecPAC summer camp were made possible on a sliding scale ability to pay.
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?
The Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF) supports the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) by raising private funds, obtaining grants and creating partnerships that supplement tax and other revenue to reach to goal of meeting community's needs for outreach programs, need-based scholarships, services, parkland and facilities.
FCPF Strategic/Development Plan Goals & Objectives for Fiscal Years 2020-2022 include:
Goal 1: Raise private funds and advocate to supplement limited resources for FCPA parks and programs.
Objective 1: To develop a multi-faceted fundraising effort that attracts $1 million annually in undesignated contributions and donations (monetary and in-kind) which address specific FCPA-approved priority projects that appeal to corporate, foundation and individual supporters.
Goal 2: Replenish the Board of Directors with members who represent the community and increase capacity for
advocacy and fundraising.
Objective 2: To maintain a balanced board by filling open director positions with individuals have complementary fields of expertise; represent the diverse Fairfax County population; and actively support fundraising and advocacy efforts.
Goal 3: Effectively communicate the mission of the Foundation and market its goals and opportunities for
targeted prospects to give.
Objective 3: To develop FCPA staff and volunteer training in support of strengthening a mutually beneficial partnership while ensuring FCPF and sponsorship recognition is included in various park authority communications to help FCPF support FCPA park projects and programs.
Goal 4: Build capacity within FCPF resources to maximize operational efficiencies in development activities and
financial administration
Objective 4: To continue integration fundraising database, accounting software, website and remote donation interface, banking and credit card processing services for upgrades to streamline efficiency of data management, accounting, gift processing and reporting.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Strategies corresponding to the above-listed Goals and Objective include the following:
Strategies 1:
-Determine Official Project lists for upcoming Fiscal Year and a prospective long-term projects.
-Plan and execute FY fundraising efforts by matching direct mail appeals, grants and major donors with unrestricted and designated official projects goals. Implement fundraising plan according to schedule and solicit additional prospects throughout each fiscal year.
-Expand FCPF Legacy Circle outreach and communications to attract bequests and other gift planning vehicles.
-Serve as recipient of all charitable donations to benefit FCPA, in accordance to FCPA Fundraising Policy.
Strategies 2:
-Incorporate board recruitment efforts and desired characteristics (industry, skills, geographic and demographic) to complement current board composition among board discussions; invite recommendations.
-Provide clear expectations and conduct screening interviews of prospective board directors.
-Improve virtual meeting efficiency and increase meaningful board director participation.
Strategies 3:
-Relay importance for FCPA to include recognition (FCPF logo, verbal remarks and articles) in communications relating to Foundation supported projects. Include examples of successful fundraising resulting from FCPA coverage of FCPF.
-Expand online presence, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, eNewsletter, and website reach.
-Present to supervisors and staff meetings in each FCPA division. Include success stories from customers who benefit from FCPF funded projects.
-Expand Communications to increase FCPF awareness among Friends Group and Volunteer Team members.
-On-site presence promoting fundraising efforts at parks and FCPA locations.
Strategies 4:
-Update technology to increase compatibility with staff and stakeholder devices and software.
-Review existing FCPF bylaws and policies and update to align with updated technology, financial and other procedures, and best practices.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Fairfax County Park Foundation's staff capacity of three is supplemented by a long-term volunteer and interns. Our staff has a wide-variety of backgrounds, experience and knowledge. The Executive Director is a Certified Fundraising Executive who has led increased fundraising for over twenty five years. The experienced Director of Development has a successful track record of cultivating individual major gift donors, grant-writing, and events. The Finance Administrator has financial experience in the private sector and familiarity with Fairfax County park programs.
Efficiencies in office and financial administration helps to ensure that the Park Foundation serves as a dependable steward of financial contributions. Donor appreciation and recognition is a priority.
A dedicated Board of Directors are involved in official project selection in advance of each fiscal year. These volunteers actively support fundraising efforts and personally contribute to meet the 100% board participation goal.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
The Park Foundation raised $13.7 million since inception to support Fairfax County Parks and community outreach programs beginning in 2000 for the following projects,
- The Sully Woodlands Stewardship Education Center campaign is underway to fund STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) components to educate and Help Heal our Planet in this unique 'Living Building'.
- Completed Capital Campaigns include award-winning Clemyjontri Park; Chessie's BIG Backyard accessible playgrounds. and The Burke Lake Park Shelters project.
- Rec-Pac Summer Camp Scholarships are provided to more than 2,000 income eligible youth including 50 from homeless shelters/supportive housing. Adapted recreation and class scholarships for 3,000 individuals demonstrating financial need.
- Summer Entertainment Series is a FREE summer-long calendar of 200 shows, concerts and movies held in local parks.
- Land care and preservation includes protection, maintenance and beautification of trails, adjacent land and amenities. Environmental, Cultural and Historical education include Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience and Invasive Management Area Program.
Increase future funding that supports community outreach to support equity through FCPA.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
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
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK FOUNDATION, INC.
Board of directorsas of 01/18/2024
Ms. Anita Herrera
Nodal Exchange, LLC and Nodal Clear, LLC
Term: 2021 - 2023
Ms. Laura Eakin Erlacher
GE Power
Term: 2021 - 2023
Michael Galliot, CIPS
Century 21 New Millennium
Harrison A. Glasgow
Federation of Friends, FCPA
Thomas Chennikara
Clean Tech Innovation & Strategy
Rich Harpe, CPA
Matthews, Carter & Boyce CPAs & Advisors
Gary W. Kirkbride
Dewberry
Robin Walker
The Greater Capital Area Team of Compass
William G. Bouie
Fairfax County Park Authority Board Chair/ Sky Communications, Inc.
Cynthia Jacobs Carter, Ed. D.
Fairfax County Park Authority Board Liaison / Smithsonian Institution
Jai Cole
Fairfax County Park Authority Executive Director
Roberta A. Longworth, CFRE
Fairfax County Park Foundation Executive DIrector
Aimee L. Vosper, PLA
Fairfax County Park Authority Directors Office Liaison
Kevin Ta, CFP, CTFA, AEP
PNC Wealth Management
Anita Herrera
Nodal Exchange
Laura Eakin Erlacher
GE Power
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
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 ? Yes -
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? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 11/27/2022GuideStar 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 review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- 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 help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- 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.