The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has been working to broaden funding sources for expanded community services. The aim is to be able to offer diverse, accessible, and equitable programs independent of fluctuations in funds allocated by the county due to changing economic conditions, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on budgets. To help DPR reach this goal, FUSE Executive Fellow Feza Sanigok created and implemented a new plan for generating revenue. He then helped launch pilot projects that will realign currently underutilized programming resources, redeploy assets to impactful public service programs, and expand revenue streams.

To develop the revenue-generating plan, Feza researched and evaluated current and potential revenue models, and he examined revenue models of other parks and recreation agencies to determine best practices. He also helped DPR build internal capacity and expertise to sustain the pilot projects by streamlining and optimizing tools, organizational structures, and operational processes. Feza is continuing to help ensure the successful sustainment of the pilot projects, optimizing initiatives and processes and transitioning work and responsibilities to new team members, so DPR can reduce its dependency on county funds.