Highlighting Excellence

Parks and People Foundation

The Parks and People Foundation was awarded Maryland Nonprofits' Seal of Excellence for successfully completing the Standards for Excellence voluntary certification program. The Parks & People Foundation voluntarily opened itself to scrutiny by a "jury of their peers". The peer reviewer team examined the organization for compliance with the Maryland Nonprofits Standards for Excellence®: An Ethics and Accountability Code for the Nonprofit Sector.

Established in 1984, the Parks & People Foundation of Baltimore is dedicated to supporting a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities; creating and sustaining beautiful and lively parks; and promoting a healthy natural environment for Baltimore.

The Parks & People Foundation works to obtain grants and funding to help beautify Baltimore's inner city neighborhoods. These areas include city parks and school grounds as well as residential areas.

The Foundation operates fourteen programs including Community Greening Stewardship, the Urban Resources Initiative, an internship program for high school and college students which supports restoration of Baltimore's urban parks, and SuperKids Camp, a summer literacy program for Baltimore City students. Parks & People is also an active participant in the Baltimore Alliance for Great Urban Parks, the Baltimore Ecosystem Study Baltimore/Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound, Gwynns Falls Trail Council and Urban Ecology Collaborative.

The Parks & People Foundation was awarded the Seal of Excellence for successfully completing the Standards for Excellence® voluntary certification program in 2007.  "Going through the Standards for Excellence® certification process was a great exercise for both our board and staff, and our organization is stronger for it." Jackie Carrera, President & CEO of the Parks & People Foundation.

For more information about the Parks & People Foundation, please call (410) 448-5663. You can also visit www.parksandpeople.org.

Click below for more information on the Standards for Excellence® and the Seal of Excellence or call Maryland Nonprofits at (410) 727-6367 ext. 37:

Introduction to the Standards for Excellence®

A Voluntary Certification Program:Maryland Nonprofits Helps Nonprofits Achieve the Standards

The Standards for Excellence® Institute: Replicating the Standards for Excellence® Program Nationally