Our Work

The Foundation is dedicated to assisting the East Bay Regional Park District in its mission to provide recreation and educational experiences to all populations. In order to achieve this goal the Foundation provides funding to compliment the East Bay Regional Park District's services to under-represented populations. While retaining flexibility to serve the East Bay Regional Park District as needed, the Foundation annually raises funds to provide support for a group of core program initiatives:

 

Campership:This top priority program of the Regional Parks Foundation raises funds to provide camping scholarships for youngsters from low-income families residing within Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. These scholarships, also known as "Camperships," offer a one-of-a-kind experience in the Regional Parks to at-risk and disabled youth who otherwise would not be able to attend camp during the summer or participate in outdoor environmental education during the academic school year. In addition to offering a variety of summer day camping options throughout the East Bay Regional Park District, the Foundation also supports classrooms of students in the 4th and 5th grades to embark on a week-long outdoor retreat at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, a state-of-the-art "green" facility where school-aged children come to learn about the environment and conservation while at the same time meeting their educational requirements set forth by the State of California.

 

Environmental Restoration: Funds are raised from a variety of sources, including corporate gifts, to conduct a variety of habitat restoration projects in various Regional Parks. Nine separate projects are currently underway, including black rail, least tern, Caspian tern, California quail, grasslands, and amphibian habitat restoration. All restoration projects involve hands-on volunteer opportunities for all ages, and include schoolchildren and work groups from several East Bay corporations.

 

Membership:The Regional Parks Foundation is pleased to offer annual Memberships to the East Bay Regional Park District. Membership is a wonderful, cost-effective way to frequent your favorite Regional Parks. Memberships start as low as $50 for a regular Individual Membership. Whether you choose to join as an Individual, or a Family, each Membership includes free day-use parking, unlimited swimming throughout the swim season, camping discounts, a free dog pass, and an annual subscription to Regional in Nature, an informative bi-monthly activity guide for recreational and interpretive programming throughout the Park District's 65 Regional Parks.

For Members interested in also making a gift to the Foundation in support of its mission to provide broader public access and restore fragile wildlife habits, Donor Circle Memberships are also available for purchase. Donor Circle Membership includes all of the benefits of a regular Family Membership plus the opportunity to help others. In addition to a portion of the purchase being tax-deductible, Donor Circle Members are provided with a special card acknowledging their contribution as well as invitations to exclusive events throughout the year. To learn more about Donor Circle Membership, please click here.

 

Legacy - Planned Giving & Estate Planning: In addition to being able to support the work of the Foundation through regular donations, the Foundation is also pleased to accept legacy gifts through bequests and charitable remainder trusts. This type of charitable contribution can not only support the Regional Parks and its programs in perpetuity, but may also provide substantial tax savings. To help donors and supporters make informed decisions on estate planning and the options that are available, the Regional Parks Foundation hosts several estate planning workshops throughout the year. These workshops are lead by professionals in the field of estate planning and wealth management, and take place at a variety of locations for added convenience.

 

Endowment: The Regional Parks Foundation gratefully accepts gifts for its Campership, Environmental Restoration, and Botanic Garden endowments. Contributions such as these provide donors with one more way to make a difference. Donations directed to any of the endowment programs are held in perpetuity for the purpose of leaving a lasting legacy to your favorite program.

 

Special Capital Projects: At the request of the Park District, the Regional Parks Foundation steps in to support special capital improvement projects throughout the Regional Parks. At the heart of the Foundation's work to fund special capital projects is the desire to create broader public access by developing new amenities and restoring the District's historical resources.

  • Project: Tilden Carousel Restoration

  • Project: Castle Rock Picnic Shelter

  • Project: Miller Knox Playground Structure

  • Project: Beach Wheelchairs

  • Project: Barrier Free Playground at Roberts Regional Park

  • Project: Coyote Hills Dairy Glen Group Camp

  • Project: Point Pinole Group Camp

  • Project: Round Valley Group Camp

  • Project: Lake Chabot Bank Restoration and Stabilization

  • Project: Temescal Waterfall Restoration

  • Project: Lake Chabot Fitness Zone

  • Project: Olympic Boulevard Staging Area of the Lafayette Moraga Regional Trail

  • Project: Three rock gardens at the Botanic Garden at Tilden Regional Park

 

Parks Express:The Foundation raises money in support of low-cost transportation is provided to organized groups, making it possible for under-represented populations to enjoy a day in the Regional Parks. Disabled children's fishing derbies and inter-generational special events are also funded.

  • Project: Disabled Children's Fishing Derby

  • Project: Bus Trip to a Regional Park

 

For more information please contact: Juliana Schirmer, Development Director, 510-544-2212, jschirmer@ebparks.org.

Send us a note if you have more questions about financial support for under-represented populations.