About Us

Brief History:

Anacortes Parks Foundation was founded in November 1994. It was the product of a committee to assist the Anacortes City Parks and Recreation Department.  The committee disbanded in favor of a non-profit public foundation that would work in concert with the City.  A nonprofit foundation can often move much faster without many of the constraints a city or county must follow, and at the same time attract funding from public and private sources.  The Foundation founders wanted to build an organization that could effectively work both inside the Anacortes city limits, as well as 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.  Over the years, Anacortes Parks Foundation’s growth has exceeded expectations and has developed a strong constituency in the area.

What We Do:

  • Offer income, estate and property tax benefits to donors since the Anacortes Parks Foundation 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 public park and recreation needs on Fidalgo and Guemes Islands.
  • Promote, manage and/or coordinate projects and events that are consistent with our mission.
  • Obtain support through contributions 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.  APF has built a friendship with many contractors who work on projects pro bono, or during low workload times, at lower costs.

What We Can Offer:

  • 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.
  • Assist with the funding, promotion and/or coordination of projects and events that are consistent with our mission.
  • Help promote an increased county-wide awareness of park and recreation needs.

Recent Accomplishments:

A sampling of local projects and events that 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.