Everybody Plays — three new playgrounds (Raymond Park, George Park, Portland Heights Park)
3
Independent 501(c)(3) · founded 2001
Portland Parks Foundation
An independent 501(c)(3) and the leading philanthropic partner for Portland's parks — not a City agency. Runs grant programs for smaller friends groups, builds capital projects, convenes the parks ecosystem, gives volunteer and leadership awards, and stewards programs that strengthen the park system citywide.
Capital projects & assets
Built things in the parks — playgrounds, crossings, and capital improvements.
Capital projects including the Barbara Walker Crossing footbridge over W Burnside at the Wildwood Trail (Forest Park) and the Thompson Elk Fountain restoration
Programs, grants & awards
Support flowing to community groups and the parks ecosystem.
Friends & Allies Summits — twice-yearly convenings of 200+ parks, nature, and community-serving groups
200
Parks Champion Awards ($1,500 to a community org per honoree) and the Joey Pope Award for Parks Leadership — recognizing volunteer stewards and emerging leaders
Grant dollars
Funding distributed to local friends groups and partner organizations.
Small Grants Program — ~$50,000 to 25 local friends groups and partner organizations
$50,0002023
North Portland Fund Community Grants — $70,000–$80,000 each cycle (program formerly administered by City of Portland Civic Life)
$75,000per cycle
Parks PPF has invested in
Place-based work. Much of PPF's impact — citywide grants, advocacy, and convening — isn't tied to a single park, so it lives in the sections above rather than on the map.
Dawson Parkfunder
Intermediary for the Dawson Park water feature gift (with Legacy Emanuel).
Forest Parkadvocate
Listed among Forest Park's stewardship partners.
George Parkfunder
Everybody Plays — new playground.
Portland Heights Parkfunder
Everybody Plays — new playground.
Raymond Parkfunder
Everybody Plays — new playground.
Friends & Allies
PPF convenes the broader network of community groups stewarding Portland's parks. Explore the full partnership ecosystem and find groups near you.
PPF impact is drawn from the Foundation's published grant cycles, awards, and project announcements — a real but partial slice of its work. Figures are period-specific where noted, not current annual totals.