Carmichael Parks Foundation

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation

$14,162 raised by 68 donors

71% complete

$20,000 Goal

Background

The Carmichael Parks Foundation is a non-profit public charity that believes recreation is vital to the well-being of our community.  We are committed to supporting the Carmichael Recreation and Park District in expanding recreational opportunities for all, be it through scholarships, new program development, or park improvements.  

Our priority this year is to expand opportunities that are of interest to middle school aged kids and young teens, so they have greater access to experiences that promote personal growth and confidence.

Sharon Ruffner Scholarship Fund

Sharon Ruffner
Feb 4 1960 - Jan 7 2024
With incredible sadness we share the news that our beloved friend and fellow board member Sharon Ruffner passed away on January 7, 2024 following a year-long battle with cancer. She was our Superhero who served as our ever enthusiastic and energetic President from January 2018 through May of 2023. We will forever be inspired by her positivity, compassion and never-ending commitment to making this world a better place for us all. We have renamed our scholarship program in her honor.

2023  Program Highlights

Youth Recreational Opportunities

Scholarships:

  • 473 scholarships provided - a 20% increase over 2022 and a 40% increase since the program's inception.
  • 90% of all scholarships went to participants in the Kid's Hangout After School Program and Summer Day Camps, providing parents less costly childcare options.
  • Scholarships accounted for 13% of overall program participation.

2024 Goals and Activities

New Recreational Opportunities

Programs for Middle School Aged Teens:

While many programs are successful in serving elementary school aged kids, providing programs that are of interest and engaging to older, middle school aged teens proves challenging. In collaboration with the Carmichael Recreation and Park District and the San Juan Unified School District we will focus on new projects in the coming year that:

  • Are exciting and attractive to kids of middle school and early teen age.
  • Support the growth of student confidence, social skills and strong interpersonal relations.
  • Are capable of being managed without major added costs to the Park District.

We have conducted a short survey regarding student interest in potential recreation and park programs  at John Barrett and Will Rogers Middle Schools. The survey was voluntary on the part of the students and followed a broadcast of a short explanatory video (View Video) .

Response Rates: At Will Rogers, 193 students responded (31.9% of the student body) while at Barrett 373 students responded (55.6% of the student body). We are currently analyzing the results with the goal of rolling out at least two pilot programs by the end of the year.

 Park Enhancements 

  • Continued funding to the Friends of Jensen Botanical Garden for ongoing beautification at this lovely site.
  • Involved in initial planning efforts to construct a Skate Park at Carmichael Park in the newly established Sharon Ruffner Plaza.

Mission

To enrich the quality of life for children, families and seniors in our community by securing funds for recreational scholarships, enhanced programs, and beautification and modernization of Carmichael parks and facilities.

Needs

Donations designated to our Sharon Ruffner Scholarship Fund help us provide opportunities for low income families so kids can participate in the many recreation, sports and educational programs offered by the Park District.

Donations designated to Park Beautification projects support improvements such as the restoration of the Garfield House in the Charles Jensen Botanical Garden and additional upgrades to the Bocce Ball Courts in Carmichael Park. Future donations may also be designated to the construction of a Skate Park in Carmichael Park. These types of enhancements provide more recreational opportunities overall for our entire community.

Non-designated donations allow the Foundation flexibility to fund new program development, such as our 2021-2022 partnerships with DART Swim to provide summer swimming lessons and Project Lifelong to provide skateboard nights and mentoring opportunities for middle school teens. These donations also provide funds that may be used to support additional fundraising activities.

Donations of goods or services to support our programs and fundraising efforts, such as gift cards, gift baskets, or specific products or experiences that can be used in raffles or auctions to generate additional funds. Products that can be used during fundraising events such as food, beverages, or other similar products.

We need volunteers to assist with activities, such as greeting and educating the public about the Foundation during specific celebrations and events sponsored by the Foundation and the Park District, as well as other types of general assistance throughout the year. Please contact us to become a Friend of the Carmichael Parks Foundation.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Carmichael Parks Foundation

other names

Carmichael Recreation and Park District FoundationPF

Year Established

2009

Tax id (EIN)

26-4274059

Mission Category

Community Improvement, Capacity Building

Operating Budget

$100,001-$250,000

Organization Need

Funding: Program, Funding: Unrestricted, Volunteers, In-Kind Donations

Demographics Served

Youth & Children, Low-income individuals/families, General population

Local Counties Served

Sacramento

Address

5750 Grant Avenue
Carmichael, CA 95608

Service areas

Carmichael, CA, US

Phone

916-717-1731

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