Leadership and Governance

A 21-person Board of Directors governs the Foundation. Included on the Board are the Chairs of the Friends Executive Committees. In addition, the Directors of Parks Services and Recreation Services for the City of Overland Park serve as Directors without vote. The remaining members are community leaders interested in furthering the mission of the Foundation and maintaining the outstanding quality of life in Overland Park. The current officers of the Foundation are:

Foundation staff includes: Teresa Stohs, Executive Director; Allyson Summers, Foundation Assistant; and Norma Friend, Bookkeeper.

Our current Board of Directors and Foundation Bylaws can be found on our homepage.

Our History

The Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park was incorporated in 1995 for the purpose of supporting parks and recreation services for the City of Overland Park, Kansas. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised funds and accepted donations for capital improvements at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead and the Public Art Master Plan. The list of projects fully or partially funded by contributions to the Foundation and its Friends groups is impressive:

At the Arboretum

• Ailie’s Glade
• Byrd’s Grove
• Cohen Iris Garden
• Environmental Education Visitors Center
• Erickson Water Garden
• Greenhouse
• Marder Woodland Garden
• Monet Garden
• Betsy and Gordon Ross Herb Garden
• Rotary Children’s Garden
• Welcoming Garden and Entrance Gate

At the Farmstead

• Audio domes and Braille signage
• Ben’s Bank
• Beverly’s Butterfly Garden
• Dominic’s Water Feature
• Helen’s Country School House
• Dairy Barn
• Grandpa Bob’s Fishing Pond
• Georgia’s Chicken House
• Kanza Indian Encampment
• Megan’s Windmill
• Kiwanis Repose Garden
• Prairie Pavilion
• Rotary Prairie Playground
• Vic's General Store
• Alex & Emily's Ice Cream Parlor
• Education Pavilion

Public Art

• “A Great Place to Land” sculpture by Gary Kahle at Santa Fe & Conser in Downtown Overland Park
• “Bison” at the Farmstead
• “Converge” sculpture by Steven Richardson at the Overland Park Convention Center
• Copper Hopper Chopper by David Seitzinger at the Arboretum
• Eilert Fountain in Founders Park at Corporate Woods
• “Garden Bell” by Duane Flaming at the Arboretum
• “Heading Home” by Robin Richerson at the Arboretum
• “Jazz I” and “Jazz II” by Tom Corbin at the Arboretum
• “Remembering” by Charles Goslin at the Korean War Veterans Memorial
• “Lady Bug” by Mary Lynn Swafford at the Arboretum
• “Pierced Sky” by Matt Kirby at 103rd & Metcalf
• “Pod Forms” by Liz Vercruysse at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center
• “Soaring” by Dennis Smith at Roe Park
• “Standing Couple” by Larry Young at the Arboretum
• Statue of William Strang, founder of Overland Park, by Kwan Wu at 80th & Santa Fe in Downtown Overland Park
• “Summer at the Pond” by Robin Richerson at the Arboretum
• “Sunflower” by Allen Wynn at Tomahawk Ridge Community Center
• “Two Frogs” by Elliott Carlson at the Arboretum

Stewardship

The Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park adheres to the Standards for Charity Accountability of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance.

The Foundation Board and the Friends groups participate in the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation DonorEdge® initiative that collects objective information about targeted nonprofit organizations. The information displayed on the Arts and Recreation Foundation profile falls into 3 major categories: program performance, management and governance, and financial soundness.

The Foundation accepts unrestricted, temporarily restricted and permanently restricted (endowment) gifts according to its Gift Acceptance Policy.

2010 Audited Financial Statement

A copy of the Foundation’s most recently posted IRS 990 is available for viewing at www.guidestar.org.

View IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt status

Structure

Memberships and volunteer opportunities are available through the Foundation’s Friends groups.

The Foundation Board of Directors is responsible for all major fundraising and provides oversight for the Friends groups’ activities which include:

• Membership Programs
• Commemorative Gifts Programs
• Volunteer Programs
• Special Events
• Promotions and Community Outreach
• Projects and Educational Programs

The Foundation and the Friends groups work in concert with city staff on all programs and projects.

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