The Bidwell Park Foundation Fund (BP Foundation), under the North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) to provide a way for individuals, families, organizations, and businesses, anyone who loves Bidwell Park and wants to donate to support Bidwell Park. The Bidwell Park Foundation Fund (BP Foundation) was established in 2012 under the North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) to provide a way for indi
viduals, families, organizations, and businesses, anyone who loves Bidwell Park and wants to donate money, property, stocks, bequests, and other sources methods of supporting the City of Chico’s stewardship of Bidwell Park and the associated parklands deeded to the City and the State by the Bidwells. In exchange for this wonderful gift Annie required that the land was to be used as a “Public Park for the benefit of the citizens and residents of the City of Chico” and that the City “shall preserve, as far as reasonably possible for the beauty of said Park as well as for the preservation and protection of the waters of Chico Creek, all of the trees, shrubs and vines therein, and it shall sacredly guard the same”. The Bidwell Park Foundation was created as a way that anyone can be a John or Annie Bidwell and contribute much needed resources “ for the benefit of the citizens and residents of the City of Chico”. As the number of “citizens and residents” and visitors who use the Park has grown significantly over the years, now estimated at over 2 million visitors a year, the ability of the City to maintain, enhance, and restore the heavily impacted Park has decreased. At the same time the City’s budget priorities do not include, and actually never have included, Bidwell Park. The City relies on the support of hundreds of volunteers, the Park’s stewards, to provide services they cannot or will not fund. The intention of the BP Foundation is to provide funds to augment the Park’s budget and not to replace it. The Bidwell Park Foundation is founded on core values that reflect our commitment and connection to Bidwell Park. The BP Foundation believes that:
• “Citizens and residents”, visitors, and organizations, all users of the Park, are critical to the stewardship and support of Bidwell Park.
• Bidwell Park is a unique and valued resource (our “Crown Jewel”) that all have an opportunity to appreciate and support.
• By engaging the public in becoming supportive stewards of Bidwell Park we will create and empower park supporters who will feel more connected to Bidwell Park, the Chico community, and northern California.
• Building quality relationships and partnerships among disparate groups around the support of Bidwell Park the direct positive benefits to the Park and the community will multiply. BIDWELL PARK FOUNDATION FUNDS
The Bidwell Park Foundation’s primary mission is to raise funds to assist the City of Chico’s stewardship of Bidwell Park. It’s other missions includes but is not limited to: the preservation and enhancement of the natural resources within the Park; educating the public about the history, culture, and environmental significance of the Park; assist other groups and organization working within the Park; and be a long-term source of support for the City of Chico. Within the BP Foundation Fund there can be any number of subprograms or targeted funds. Subprograms can be specific designated funding goals and/or targets or donor-advised programs. The following fund programs and subprograms have been identified and others may be developed on an as needed basis:
Bidwell Park Foundation General Fund – This is the main fund of BP Foundation. All non-designated donations will automatically be deposited in this fund. These funds will be used to support BP Foundation activities and be distributed by the BP Foundation Advisory Board. These funds may also be used to assist the activities of groups and organizations working to enhance Bidwell Park such as Kids and Creeks, the Chico Creek Nature Center, Friends of Bidwell Park, etc. Bidwell Park Endowment Fund - A Bidwell Park Endowment Fund will be set up to receive donations that will be used in perpetuity to generate funds for use by the BP Foundation. Funds and property donated to the BP Endowment Fund cannot be used; however, the interest made off of their investments will be used to support other programs within the BP Foundation. Parks Division/CARD Fundraising Initiatives – The BP Foundation will work closely with the City of Chico Park Division and CARD to assist with their specific fund raising initiatives and needs. Initiatives brought to the BP Foundation by the Park Division or CARD will be vetted by the Advisory Board to ensure that they meet the mission of the BP Foundation. Targeted fund-raising program funds will be established and all funds deposited into these funds will be dispersed to the projects they are intended to support. For example; The Parks Division has identified a need to make modification and update Caper Acres. The BF Foundation will set up specific funding subprograms with the BP Foundation and develop the fund raising campaign in conjunction with the Park Division. BP Foundation volunteers will assist in the fund raising campaign as needed. All funds raised for these activities will be used in carrying out the initiative. The BP Foundation will work along with the Parks Division and/or CARD to solicit funds for these projects. It is anticipated that the Parks Division and the Bidwell Parks and Playground Commission (BPPC) may also establish long-term project funds such as:
• Park Watch Fund – to support the Park Watch operation
• Trail Maintenance Fund
• Vegetation Management Fund
• Intern Stipend Fund
• Bidwell Park Interpretive Center Fund
BP Foundation Targeted Funds - The BP Foundation may also initiate targeted funding programs outside of City’s and/or CARD’s projects and programs. These targeted fund programs may include donor-specified funds for:
• Outdoor Education
• Big Chico Creek Restoration
• Vegetation Management
• Maidu Cultural Resources
• Art in Bidwell Park
• Scholarship Fund for college and high school students to conduct studies in the Park that will help the Parks Division in their stewardship of the Park. Private Targeted Funds – Anyone can also set up a specific targeted fund within the BP Foundation. If the targeted fund is designated to conduct or support a project or initiative within the Park that falls under the prevue of the Bidwell Parks and Playground Commission it will not be initiated without first receiving approval from the BPPC and City Park Division. If it is be approved by the BPPC the individual or group will be encourage to choose another project to support. DONATIONS
The BP Foundation will encourage everyone and anyone who enjoys Bidwell Park to contribute to the Foundation. All types of contributions are accepted, including the valuable gift of an individual’s time. The BP Foundation is a grass roots funding campaign and needs the assistance of a large group of dedicated volunteers to participate on the Advisory Board, fund raising committees, special projects, and other necessary activities. The Bidwell Park Foundation can accept a wide variety of gifts – including cash, appreciated stocks, real estate, and other assets from any source. All donations are done through the North Valley Community Foundation and are tax-deductible donations. The NVCF will assist donors with planned giving, bequests, stock transfers, charity remainder trusts, IRA/401K transfers, and other instruments of giving that are outside the mainstream.
