In this episode of The Foundation: A Park’s People Podcast, we sit down with Marithza Ross, Executive Director of the St. Johns County Park Foundation in Florida. Marithza brings a unique perspective to park philanthropy, having transitioned from a successful career in television news and public relations to nonprofit leadership.

She shares the highs and hurdles of her first year in the role—revitalizing a board, creating a strong organizational foundation, engaging diverse communities across 42 miles of coastline, and building a brand that puts Parks and Recreation at the center of local identity.

Listen in to learn:

• How her media and PR experience shapes her leadership style
• The early steps she took to strengthen board governance
• What it takes to communicate across rural, urban, and coastal communities
• Why telling stories (not just asking for donations) is the key to long-term support
• How support from NAPF helped accelerate her momentum

This episode is full of real-world insight, inspiration, and takeaways for anyone leading or supporting a local park foundation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎙 Welcome to The Foundation: A Parks People Podcast! 🎙

The National Association of Park Foundations (NAPF) presents The Foundation: A Parks People Podcast, where experts in park philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and fundraising share strategies for building and sustaining park foundations. Hosted by Kevin Korenthal, Executive Director of NAPF, the podcast offers insights and real-world experiences from leaders across the parks and recreation space.

🚨 Now streaming on every major podcast platform! The Foundation podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to stay informed about the latest trends in park philanthropy.

🌟 This episode features guest Tom Evers, former Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. The discussion explores:

✅ The critical role of parks foundations in securing funding outside of tax revenues

✅ How philanthropy extends beyond grants and donations to foster lasting relationships

✅ Strategies for engaging communities and creating long-term financial sustainability

💡 The conversation also highlights the Build a Foundation Training, an essential four-week course designed for park professionals and nonprofit leaders. The program provides the tools needed to establish, grow, and sustain a successful park foundation.

🔗 More information and registration details are available at https://www.the-napf.org/establishing-advancing-a-park-foundation.

Now, let’s begin the discussion with Tom Evers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎧 Season 3 is here!

Kicking off the new season of The Foundation: A Parks People Podcast, host Kevin Korenthal welcomes Joe Wynns, a true pioneer in the field of parks and recreation. Joe shares his incredible journey—from growing up in segregated South Carolina to a remarkable career leading a major metropolitan parks agency.

In this episode, you'll hear Joe's take on:

✅ Turning challenges into opportunities.

✅ How parks can transform communities.

✅ The critical role of park foundations in driving change and securing resources.

Tune in for insights, inspiration, and a fascinating conversation about making a difference through parks and recreation.

🎙️ Available now on all major podcast platforms.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.