Park Foundation Inc logo

Park Foundation Inc

ITHACA, NY EIN: 16-6071043 Website

Park Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation based in Ithaca, New York, established in 1966 by entrepreneur and media mogul Roy H. Park. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing social, environmental, and democratic causes through strategic grantmaking.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$406.0M

+5.8% YoY

Annual Giving

$30.4M

-5.1% YoY

Grant Count

457

-5.4% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$66K

+0.3% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Park Foundation is a family foundation dedicated to advancing a more just, equitable, and sustainable society and environment, both nationally and in the local Ithaca community. The foundation describes itself as principled, strategic, and fearless in its grantmaking, collaborative with partners, and nimble and innovative in its approach. The foundation is committed to challenging threats to independent media, robust democracy, and planetary health.

Primary funding areas include:

  • Democracy — Supporting initiatives intended to strengthen the foundations of democracy and good governance
  • Civic Participation — Advancing civic engagement and participation
  • Media — Supporting public interest media
  • Environment — Ensuring drinking water is clean, affordable, accessible, and protected; challenging shale gas extraction and infrastructure expansion
  • Animal Welfare
  • Sustainable Ithaca — Local community initiatives
  • Community Needs
  • School Food & Nutrition

The foundation has been a major supporter of environmental causes, including significant funding for anti-fracking advocacy and environmental protection initiatives.

Grantmaking

The foundation provides support across multiple priority areas with grant amounts ranging from $5,000 to $250,000. The grantmaking process typically begins with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) for new applicants, while returning grantees can submit full proposals directly. Grant deadlines operate on a rolling basis.

Review Cycle

operate on a rolling basis.

Ready to take the next step with Park Foundation Inc?

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation supports initiatives across numerous cities and states in the United States, including major metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Primary funding regions include New York, the District of Columbia, and California.

Grant Distribution by State

36states
+29 more states

Cities

AlbanyAlexandriaAmherstAnn ArborAnnaplisArlingtonAshevilleAtlantaAuburnAuroraAustinBainbridgeBaltimoreBellmoreBenningtonBerkeleyBethesdaBeverly HillsBinghamtonBlue Ridge

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2023:

  • Total Assets — $384 million
  • Annual Expenses — $33.7 million
  • Annual Revenue — $14 million
  • Total Liabilities — $25.3 million

As of 2022:

  • Total Assets — $358.4 million
  • Annual Expenses — $34 million
  • Annual Revenue — $14.3 million
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$21M$41M$62M$83M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$406,024,147$383,671,762$374,209,039
Revenue$34,324,264$13,991,627$14,200,366
Expenses$38,465,716$33,679,514$34,742,392
Qualifying Distributions$33,396,030$35,212,594$35,361,157
Net Investment Income$30,640,726$10,552,934$9,253,200
Distributable Amount$19,728,330$17,198,104$20,048,047

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$8M$16M$24M$32M459 grants2020513 grants2021456 grants2022483 grants2023457 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY$225KACTION FOR THE CLIMATE E…$150KADVANCEMENT PROJECT$150KAS YOU SOW$150KASIAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEF…$150KBLACK PROGRESSIVE ACTION…$150KBLACK VOTERS MATTER CAPA…$150KBLUEPRINT NORTH CAROLINA$150KAMPLIFY EQUITY INC$125KBENNINGTON COLLEGE$125K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

99<$50K91$50–100K58$100–250K2$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

6 open opportunities from Park Foundation Inc

Show all 6 →

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Adelaide P. Gomer — Board President and Chair (daughter of founder Roy H. Park)
  • Rachel Leon — Executive Director
  • Board Members — Alicia P. Wittink, Hon. Donna F. Edwards, Jay R. Halfon, Jerome B. Libin

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

RACHEL LEONEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$281KADELAIDE P GOMERPRESIDENT$50KALICIA P WITTINKVICE PRESIDENT$50KDONNA F EDWARDSDIRECTOR$50KJAY R HALFONSECRETARY/TREASURER$50KLISA GRAVESDIRECTOR$50KRAY PAULTREDIRECTOR$50KJEROME B LIBINDIRECTOR$8K

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
ADELAIDE P GOMERPRESIDENT9.53$50,000
ALICIA P WITTINKVICE PRESIDENT9.85$50,000
DONNA F EDWARDSDIRECTOR4.08$50,000
JAY R HALFONSECRETARY/TREASURER3.94$50,000
JEROME B LIBINDIRECTOR0.06$8,333
LISA GRAVESDIRECTOR3.96$50,000
RAY PAULTREDIRECTOR4.19$50,000
RACHEL LEONEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR35$281,108

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

What could you do with Park Foundation Inc on Grantable?

  • Assess strategic fit with your organization
  • Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
  • Find open RFPs from this funder
  • Monitor for new funding opportunities