Resources for Partner Groups and Exploring Partnership
Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP), a volunteeer-run nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation established in 1994, seeks to build vibrant, healthy, ecologically sound communities by providing the infrastructure that volunteer groups need in order to improve the beauty and usefulness of public space and recreation in and around Berkeley, California.
One of BPFP's main functions is to act as fiscal sponsor for volunteer community groups who do not have IRS exempt status and whose work aligns with our mission. Here is what BPFP provides for these partner groups:
Receives grants and tax-deductible donations
Provides banking, record-keeping, and preparation of tax returns
Provides liability insurance certificates on request
Offers a basic web presence for groups that do not have web sites, help with publicity, information on grant opportunities, and advice and support from experienced activists with a long record of organizing citizens for responsible stewardship.
Forms
This section provides forms for establishing a relationship and handling financial transactions between BPFP and partner groups.
Partnership Request form - Application to become a BPFP partner group.
Limited Partnership Request form - A limited partner is an organization with independent legal status carrying out a specific project that falls within the mission of BPFP.
Deposit Request form - Must accompany all deposits sent in by partner groups.
Check Request form - For submitting requests for payment or reimbursement of expenses.
You can do one of the following:
Type directly in the form and then print it as a .pdf, which you can save. You cannot fill out the form and directly save a copy.
Print the blank form and fill it out by hand.
Save a copy of the blank form to your computer for printing later.
Practices, Policies, and Bylaws
This section has information on how BPFP, as a tax-exempt California nonprofit corporation, carries out its legal obligations and responsibilities to partner groups, as well as partner groups’ obligations and responsibilities.
Listing your Group on BPFP’s Web Site and Other Helpful Information
Our web site can help you get your name out to the public with a basic page that can be clicked from our list of partner groups or searched on the web. Please review your group's description in our list of partner groups. If you want to change the description or add a link, or if you are a new group not yet listed, email Susan Schwartz. A stand-alone web page is likely to be more effective for your group, and there are several low-cost, easy ways to do this. See “So your group wants a web page” for some tips.
"Getting positive projects done" Tips for activists.
A Short, Partial History of Berkeley Parks This document, though decades old, has interesting background on the City of Berkeley’s park system. History is often useful.