The Park Foundation, established in 1966, is committed to supporting education, public broadcasting, and environmental projects, among other areas of interest significant to the Park family. Following the bequest of over 70% of Mr. Park's holdings in 1993, the Foundation has focused on promoting academic excellence, leadership, and community service through scholarships at Ithaca College and North Carolina State University. It has a particular interest in public broadcasting, reflecting its origins in communications, and more recently, has honed its environmental focus on freshwater issues, specifically in the Eastern United States.
The Park Foundation's grant programs aim to foster a sustainable community in Ithaca and Tompkins County, NY, with an emphasis on environmental protection, economic stability, and social equity. The Sustainable Ithaca program focuses on systemic integration and cross-sectoral collaboration, particularly encouraging low-income communities and people of color to engage in sustainability initiatives. Key areas of grantmaking include ecosystem conservation, with an emphasis on both terrestrial and aquatic systems; energy and climate change, aiming to reduce energy use and increase renewable sources to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets; environmental education, with a focus on informal K-12 and adult education to promote sustainability practices; and smart growth, supporting planning and reforms for sustainable urban development. The Community Needs program prioritizes social justice and equity, aiming to address the barriers to success for disenfranchised members of the community, across health, human services, education, and other fields. The foundation is also open to supporting advocacy, community organizing, technical assistance, and capacity building initiatives that align with these goals.