The purpose of Rockford Park District Foundation is to provide philanthropic support to the Rockford Park District.

The Rockford Park District is an extraordinary community asset. In part, this results from the extraordinary generosity bestowed upon it by members of the community from its beginning in 1909. Much of what we enjoy today was made possible by the philanthropic donations of people who wanted to give back to the community - to help people enjoy life.

Approximately 40 percent of the over 4500 acres owned by the Rockford Park District were donated to it.

In 1979, a foundation was created to facilitate gifts of land, the Rockland Park Foundation. In 1993, the foundation was renamed and its board reconfigured to reflect a greater connection with the community.

Now, the Rockford Park District Foundation is involved in volunteer-led projects on behalf of the District, holds and invests endowed funds and accepts gifts in many forms, from appreciated stocks, to land, to gifts-in-kind, planned gifts and more.

In 1999, the City of Gardens program was started by the foundation with a generous gift from Dan and Ruth Nicholas. It's mission is to increase civic pride through community beautification.

The Memorial Bench and Tree Program (now called "Celebrate Life") came to the Foundation in 2001 from the Park District.