Annual Report
Every year, FOGP raises new funds and makes friends and invests strategically in park preservation and stewardship.
We encourage you to join in the fun and support the park projects that interest you most!.
2017 Annual Report
“To ensure the preservation and continuation of the public benefits of Garfield Park through enhanced funding, effective advocacy and expanded stewardship.”
Over the past twenty years the Friends of Garfield Park, Inc. has become a key community asset. Due to the strong partnerships and FOGP Board leadership, our list of accomplishments is as follows:
- In 2017 raised $355,000 in support consisting of $255,000 in cash contributions and $100,000 in kind. Since 1999, combined totals amount to $2,848,000 in cash and $1,165,000 in-kind, totaling overall, $4,005,000.
- Garfield Park Endowment Fund balance as of January 1, 2018 is $1,124,121.65.
- Supported programs and made grants in 2017 to Garfield Park totaling $365,000 and over $1,465,000 since 2001. 2017 investments included: MacAllister restoration, Garfield Alive, STARS, Music in the Gardens, Evening w/ISO, Evening at the Mac with 7 Bridges Band, Garfield Park intern, Conservatory Plantings, Program Support for the Arts Center, NJTL, Playball Indiana, Shakespeare in the Park, Koontz Symposium, Garfield Karate, Ghoulish Garfield and Christmas at Garfield to name only a few.
- Raised funds for the restoration effort of the MacAllister Center for the Performing Arts totaling over $300,000 with final work to be completed in Spring 2018 totaling another $150,000.
- Continued six-year commitment of over $20,000 maintenance support to the Sunken Garden Fountains.
- Coordinated 2016 Reforest Garfield in April. Over 200 trees were planted in the park with the assistance of lead partners, KIB, UIndy and Citizens Energy.
- Led efforts to rebuild the Bean Creek Bridge. This 2009 project raised $200,000 in cash and in-kind support. Generated community support to see $1.5 million in improvements to the Garfield Park Sunken Gardens Fountains in 2013.
- FOGP has been bequeathed a major portion of the estates of Lucille Wahl and Marie Shock, amounting to approximately $600,000 in administrated funds.
The FOGP is an integral part of the future of Garfield Park. In 2018, our organization will celebrate our 20th anniversary and continue development efforts through our Garfield Alive and Garfield Naturally programs. Through these initiatives we have committed to lead efforts in 2018 to begin restoration of the Park’s first historic Bean Creek bridge known as the Romeo and Juliet Bridge.
Please join with us and support the Friends of Garfield Park. Your contribution today will build for tomorrow. For Information call: 317-840-8111.
THANK YOU from the Friends of Garfield Park, Inc. to all of the volunteers and sponsors for Garfield ReForest 2016 and the Great Indy Clean Up! It was a huge success and one of the largest volunteer events in the park’s history. Thanks to over 250 volunteers who planted 200 trees in less than 3 hours – WOW!
We are grateful to our sponsors, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. Indianapolis Rotary, Indianapolis Power & Light Company and the board of FOGP. Shout out to the Garfield Park Neighbors Association, Friends of Garfield Park, Inc. members, and all of the incredible students and volunteers from Emmerich Manual High School, Roncalli High School, University of Indianapolis, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and more!
FOGP has received a grant toward the continuation of the Garfield Alive program for the purpose of connecting community and keeping Garfield Alive. The grant is from “Frank Curtis and Irving Moxley Springer Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, in loving memory of Irving and Frank Springer.” The primary use of this grant is to continue to expand partnerships in accomplishing the FOGP initiatives and increase park attendance and program participation.
A Look Ahead
The FOGP is an integral part of the future of Garfield Park. In 2017, our organization will continue development efforts through our Garfield Alive program and a new effort, Garfield Naturally. This will be a comprehensive campaign to tie together the nature elements in the park. Please join with us and support the Friends of Garfield Park. Your contribution today will build for tomorrow. For information call: 317-840-8111.
We couldn’t have done it this year without the support of The Indianapolis Foundation, A CICF affiliate!
