Austin Parks Foundation
Austin Parks Foundation (APF) is a public charity based in Austin, Texas, formed in 1992. It partners with the community to improve Austin’s public parks, trails, and green spaces through volunteerism, programming, advocacy, and financial support.
Austin Parks Foundation at a glance
In short: Austin Parks Foundation gave $514K across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $43K), mostly in Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $514,077
- -5.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- +9.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $42,840
- -13.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,179
- Total assets
- $26,360,899
- +4.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Austin Parks Foundation
- How to Apply
-
For Community Impact Grants, prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss project plans with APF before applying. The foundation describes awards as competitive. Neighborhood Grant applicants can request an application through the program.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1023 Springdale Road 10D, Austin, TX 78721
Phone: (512) 477-1566
Website: https://austinparks.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Austin Parks Foundation
ACL Music Festival Grants
Austin Parks Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
ACL Music Festival Grants Program: Community Impact Grants
Austin Parks Foundation
Amount
More than US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Austin City Limits Music Festival Park Grants Program: Neighborhood Grants
Austin Parks Foundation
Amount
US $500 - US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Austin Parks Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was City of Austin Pard ($302K). Together the top 10 received $499K.
Grant Size Distribution
36 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 36 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
APF is based in Austin, Texas. Its Community Impact and Neighborhood Grant programs require projects to take place on parkland owned and managed by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. In filing year 2024, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Texas and 2% to recipients in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How Austin Parks Foundation gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $38K (2021) to $552K (2022). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $514K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Austin Pard Austin, TX | Lifeguard training, givens aquatic center renovation support, & nature play | $301,500 |
| Trail Conservancy Austin, TX | Benches | $37,500 |
| Fun Time Train Rides Austin, TX | Free Community Train Rides | $32,520 |
| Austin Ymbl Sunshine Camps Austin, TX | Partner Sponsorship | $30,000 |
| Downtown Austin Parks LLC Austin, TX | Republic Square Improvements and Repairs | $26,700 |
| Austin Community Foundation - FBO Tolf Austin, TX | Partner Sponsorship | $25,000 |
| Waterloo Greenway Conservancy Austin, TX | Partner Sponsorship | $15,357 |
| Austin Symphony Orchestra Society Inc Austin, TX | 4TH of July Event | $10,000 |
| City Park Alliance Washington, DC | Greater & Greener Austin Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Greater East Austin Youth Association Austin, TX | Central Texas Juneteenth Sponsorship | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Austin Parks Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $26,360,899 | $12,257,550 | $10,959,468 | $514,077 | 12 | $873,184 |
| 2023 | $25,297,332 | $12,160,320 | $8,902,827 | $545,830 | 11 | $844,775 |
| 2022 | $21,966,220 | $11,487,552 | $8,361,343 | $552,000 | 6 | $100,037 |
| 2021 | $18,633,164 | $9,510,875 | $6,137,762 | $37,500 | 2 | $327,583 |
| 2020 | $13,041,575 | $2,292,360 | $4,462,230 | $316,050 | 5 | $346,064 |
| 2019 | $17,461,858 | $9,046,183 | $7,871,929 | $402,124 | 10 | $318,065 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
APF’s stated mission is to partner with the community to enhance people’s lives by making public parks, trails, and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy, and financial support.
Its grant programs support physical park improvements, such as playground equipment, shade structures, trails, habitat restoration, picnic tables, accessibility improvements, and placemaking. APF also supports park activation and maintenance through programs and volunteer events. Its 2024 filing describes projects including Deep Eddy Pool repairs and lighting, Pan American Neighborhood Park ballfield lighting, repairs to the Zilker Hillside Theater stage, basketball court renovations, and new pavilions.
The organizations receiving 2024 grants included groups with varied community roles. Austin YMBL Sunshine Camp describes its mission as engaging and empowering Central Texas youth through overnight summer camp and leadership programs. Waterloo Greenway Conservancy says it works to create and maintain urban parks around a restored Waller Creek in partnership with the City of Austin. Austin Community Foundation says it mobilizes ideas and resources to strengthen Central Texas. Other 2024 recipients included a parks organization focused on public space in downtown Austin, an orchestra serving Austin and Central Texas, and City Parks Alliance, which says it works to advance equitable, resilient, and thriving cities through parks.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, APF reported 12 grants totaling $514,077. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $301,500, with a median of $20,178. The largest award was $301,500 to the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department for lifeguard training, Givens Aquatic Center renovation support, and nature play. Other notable awards included $37,500 to Trail Conservancy for benches; $32,520 to Fun Time Train Rides for free community train rides; $30,000 to Austin YMBL Sunshine Camps for partner sponsorship; and $26,700 to Downtown Austin Parks LLC for Republic Square improvements and repairs.
Additional 2024 awards included $25,000 to Austin Community Foundation for a partner sponsorship; $15,357 to Waterloo Greenway Conservancy for a partner sponsorship; $10,000 to Austin Symphony Orchestra Society for a Fourth of July event; and $10,000 to City Park Alliance for Greater & Greener Austin sponsorship.
APF describes Community Impact Grants as competitive awards for large-scale, community-initiated park improvements of $5,000 and up. They are offered twice a year, with a 24-month grant period. Neighborhood Grants support smaller community-initiated improvements, with awards of $500 to $5,000 made on a rolling basis and a 12-month grant period. Eligible projects for both programs must be on parkland owned and managed by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. The Neighborhood Grants program welcomes Adopt-A-Park groups, active park stewards, community gardeners, and other park stakeholder groups. APF also administers annual park-improvement grants through its Austin City Limits Music Festival partnership; the available program information does not specify its award amounts or application schedule.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Luke Ellis as chair, Rashed Islam as past chair, Cory Laurel as secretary, and Robyn Lewis as treasurer. Directors listed were Bryan Barksdale, Zeina El-Azzi, Monica Fernandes, Bobby Garza, Laura Johnson, and Bobbi Kommineni. Fernandes and Johnson were listed as directors from April 24, 2024.
Austin Parks Foundation is led by Colin Wallis, CEO on every filing since 2019; 7 of 24 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Colin Wallis
CEO
On filings since 2019
39 hrs/week
$137K (2019) → $232K (2024)
Luke Ellis
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katie Kennedy
Director of Marketing & Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$114K (2024)
Bobby Garza
Director
Member → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bryan Barksdale
Director
Member → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monica Fernandes
Director
Chair → Past Chair, 2022
Past Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bobbi Kommineni
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ian McAbeer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Wynn
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nikelle Meade
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Mueller
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leticia Mendoza
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monica Lopez Magee
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zeina El-Azzi
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Johnson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patty Steinwedell
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jayna Burgdorf
CFO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$101K (2019) → $167K (2024)
Joy Casnovsky
Chief Mission Officer
Chief Mission Officer → Vice President Mission, 2023
Vice President Mission → Chief Mission Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$121K (2022) → $146K (2024)
Angela Osborn
Vice President Marketing & Development
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$149K (2023) → $156K (2024)
Mary K. Katie Robillard
Vice President Design & Implementation
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$137K (2024)
Matthew Hardy
Controller
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$118K (2024)
Cory Laurel
Secretary
Member → Director, 2020
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rashed Islam
Past Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Past Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robyn Lewis
Treasurer
Member → Director, 2020
Director → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Barbara Austin (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Greg Weaver (2019–2023) — Chair
- Former: Matt Dow (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Alex Robinette (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Katie Robillard (2022–2023) — Vice President Projects & Design
- Former: Bobbi Khomineni (2023) — Director
- Former: Laura Cortez (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Rich Garza (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Allison Watkins (2020–2022) — Chief Strategy Officer
- Former: Jen Ohlson (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Potter-Miller (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Max Rutherford (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Ryan Gravelle (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Stuart Laves (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Doug Wolfe (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Ford Alexander (2019–2020) — Past Chair
- Former: Anna Stepan (2019) — Member
- Former: Margaret Menicucci (2019) — Past President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $232K, to Colin Wallis (CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Austin Parks Foundation
How much does Austin Parks Foundation give each year?
Austin Parks Foundation gave $514K across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $546K across 11 grants.
What is Austin Parks Foundation's typical grant size?
Austin Parks Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,179, and its average grant was $42,840, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Austin Parks Foundation give grants?
Austin Parks Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Austin, TX (11 grants).
Does Austin Parks Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Austin Parks Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Partner Sponsorship" (4 grants).
Who are Austin Parks Foundation's largest grantees?
Austin Parks Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include City of Austin Pard ($301,500), Trail Conservancy ($37,500) and Fun Time Train Rides ($32,520), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Austin Parks Foundation?
Austin Parks Foundation reported $26.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.3M.
What does Austin Parks Foundation fund?
APF’s stated mission is to partner with the community to enhance people’s lives by making public parks, trails, and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy, and financial support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Austin Parks Foundation?
For Community Impact Grants, prospective applicants are encouraged to discuss project plans with APF before applying. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Austin Parks Foundation's EIN?
Austin Parks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2648803. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 2, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Austin Parks Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Austin Parks Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/austin-parks-foundation-morg_14fceae6da62440aaaafbce4d446d7a7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742648803_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Austin Parks Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/austin-parks-foundation-morg_14fceae6da62440aaaafbce4d446d7a7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Austin Parks Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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