About

Brief History

Anacortes Parks Foundadtion was founded in November 1994. It was the product of a committee to assist the City Parks and Recreation Department in Anacortes.  After two years, the group disbanded in favor of a non-profit public foundation working in concert with the City.  A nonprofit foundation can often move much faster without many of the constraints underwhich a public entity must follow, and at the same time attract funding from public sources.  Too, organizers wanted an organization that could effectively work outside the City, and selected Fidalgo and Guemes Islands as its boundary.  The Foundation selected a Board of Trustees balanced with financial, accounting, environmental, legal and business disciplines that has helped to make it a successful and trusted organization.  New Trustees are seated with much care and deliberation, and each is a major contributor.  While still young, APF’s growth has exceeded expectations and has developed a strong constituency in the area.

• Offer income, estate and property tax benefits to donors since it has received tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to the Foundation are fully deductible as allowed by IRS Codes.
• Receive and administer donations of cash, materials, and real or personal property. These donations ultimately provide for local public park and recreation needs.
• Accept and manage or coordinate projects that are consistent with our mission.
• Obtain support through voluntary individual contributions, service fees, and membership dues which pay the costs of the work of the Foundation.
• As a non-profit organization separated from any municipal organization, APF can often construct recreational facilities at a lesser cost.  Too, APF has built a friendship with many contractors who work on projects pro bono or during low workload times at lower costs.
• While land has been donated by the City (and in some cases, Skagit County), APFmakes every effort to construct its facilities without tax dollars.  The City of Anacortes has been most generous with maintenance of each project after construction, as well as making labor available during construction.

We Can

• Provide a mechanism for donations which often acts more quickly and flexibly than a government agency.
• Accept gifts of land in advance of obtaining title.
• Be involved with money-making activities in the private sector.
• Help promote an increased county-wide awareness of park and recreation needs.

Accomplishments

Local projects and events which have been supported by the Anacortes Parks Foundation include the Alton R. Daniels Field clubhouse; Volunteer Park baseball field and construction of the concession/restroom building; Ben Root Skate Park; Youth Sailing Program at South Harbor Park; Teen Center; Kids R Best Fest; Breakfast With Santa; Daddy Daughter Dance; Ship Harbor Interpretive Preserve; Kiwanis Waterfront Park; Kiwanis Meadows; and new play structures at Storvik Park and Washington Park, as well as the Our Town Our Park Project at Storvik Park.  A more comprehensive listing of other projects funded by APF through the grant process can be found on the Grants page.