MADISON PARKS
FOUNDATION

Volunteering, sponsoring events, or sharing your expertise are all ways to help. Sign up for our newsletter to see more opportunities. Our work depends on people who give their time, skills, and passion to ensure Madison’s parks remain accessible and inclusive.

MPF committees bring together volunteers who want to shape the future of Madison’s parks. Opportunities may include joining our Development, Events, or Community Engagement committees—each focused on building connections and growing support for our mission. Reach out to learn where your skills and interests fit best.

We raise private support to fund programs, amenities, and improvements that tax dollars alone can’t cover. From scholarships and accessibility upgrades to concerts and cultural events, we ensure Madison’s 297+ parks remain vibrant and welcoming.

The City manages park operations, maintenance, and daily services. The Foundation is a nonprofit partner that provides additional funding and community support to enhance and expand what the City can offer.

You can make a gift online through our secure donation forms. Options include supporting specific programs, funding a park project, dedicating a tribute gift (like a bench or picnic table), or contributing to the Parks for All Fund.

Yes! Many of our initiatives and “Friends of” groups are tied to individual parks or programs. You can choose where your support goes, whether it’s a community center, dog park, scholarship fund, or another project that matters most to you.

Yes. The Madison Parks Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your donation is fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You’ll receive a confirmation email and receipt for your records after you give.

Yes! Park spaces can be reserved through the City of Madison Parks Division. From weddings and reunions to company picnics, there are beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces available across the city. Visit the Parks Division website for permits and reservation details.

Through our Tribute Gifts program, you can honor a loved one—or celebrate a special occasion—by dedicating a bench, picnic table, or other park feature. These gifts provide lasting amenities that the whole community can enjoy, while creating a meaningful legacy in Madison’s parks.

While we appreciate the meaningful sentiment behind memorial trees, the Madison Parks Foundation does not offer tree dedications in our parks. The City of Madison Forestry Division carefully plans each park's tree needs—selecting diverse species suited to our climate and coordinating plantings with contractors twice annually. This systematic approach ensures the long-term health of our urban forest but doesn't accommodate individual tree dedications.