Subject:
Title
Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Agreement for Parks & Recreation Fund
Body
DATE(S) OF PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE:
June 9, 2025 Council Work Session - Capital Campaign Framework: Fundraising for an Aquatic & Fitness Center
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
The Department of Parks and Recreation requests approval to enter into an agreement with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) to establish a designated fund to accept charitable contributions in support of Parks & Recreation initiatives.
On June 9, 2025, Town Council directed staff to pursue a nonprofit fundraising entity to support Parks & Recreation initiatives, independent of whether the Town ultimately moved forward with the proposed Aquatics & Fitness Center. Staff subsequently researched options for establishing a fundraising mechanism without creating and administering a separate nonprofit organization.
Staff identified CFNOVA as the best fit for this purpose. CFNOVA is a 501(c)(3) public charity that can provide the charitable structure necessary to accept tax-deductible contributions on behalf of Parks & Recreation. The Community Foundation administers the fund, including gift processing, donor acknowledgments, due diligence, and related charitable compliance, while the funds remain designated for the Town of Vienna, Department of Parks and Recreation.
The proposed fund will initially be established as a general Parks & Recreation fund. Contributions will not be tied to a specific project, providing flexibility to support future Parks & Recreation initiatives such as park improvements, amenities, equipment, public art, and other community investments. Staff will not pursue project-specific fundraising campaigns unless Council has committed to the underlying project.
CFNOVA requires a $10,000 initial contribution to establish the fund. The seed funding has been identified from unspent FY2026 funds originally allocated to Parks & Recreation. Because the fund is non-endowed, the Town may request disbursements from the fund and may close the fund at any time, at which point the remaining balance may be returned to the Town.
The agreement has been reviewed by the Town Attorney. Staff recommends entering into the agreement with CFNOVA and establishing the Parks & Recreation fund.
Departmental Recommendation:
Recommend approval to enter into an agreement with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia and authorize establishment of a designated Parks & Recreation fund with an initial contribution of $10,000.
Finance Recommendation: Recommend approval.
Purchasing Recommendation:
Town Attorney Recommendation: The Town Council may approve the proposed agreement with the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia for the establishment of a donation account for the Town, in the discretion of the Town Council.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council authorize the Town Manager to execute an agreement with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia to establish a designated Parks & Recreation fund and approve an initial contribution, as presented.
Cost and Financing: $10,000 initial contribution. The Town may request disbursement of funds or close the fund and receive the remaining balance at any time, subject to the terms of the agreement.
Account Number: 100-107-1071-17110-45801
Decision Needed by This Date: Oct. 26, 2026
Prior Funding Approval: Annual General Budget (FY26)
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to authorize the Town Manager to execute an agreement with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia to establish a designated Parks & Recreation fund and approve an initial contribution of $10,000 using unspent FY2026 Parks & Recreation funds."
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.