The San Francisco Parks Alliance, which has been responsible for organizing free outdoor movie nights in city parks, is now embroiled in a significant financial scandal that has prompted Mayor Lurie to pause all funding to the organization.
Three city departments are currently conducting audits and investigations into the nonprofit’s financial practices, highlighting a troubling situation that has raised concerns among city officials and the community alike.
In early May, the Parks Alliance announced it would not be able to host its annual Sundown Cinema series this summer.
The cost of hosting each screening, which ranged from $30,000 to $40,000, was cited as a primary reason for the cancellation.
Notably, this announcement came shortly after the nonprofit laid off most of its staff and saw its CEO resign, suggesting deeper issues may have been at play.
The Parks Alliance operates independently from the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, serving as a nonprofit that supports local neighborhood groups and “Friends of the Park” organizations by handling fundraising and offering financial management assistance.
However, rumors have persisted regarding the organization denying access to funds owed to these neighborhood groups, with reports of difficulties in obtaining even small reimbursements.
The situation escalated dramatically when the San Francisco Chronicle reported last week that the Parks Alliance had allegedly misappropriated nearly $4 million, using funds intended for local groups to cover its own operating expenses.
Louise Mozingo, chair of the Parks Alliance, acknowledged to the Chronicle that her organization’s financial situation is dire, describing it as resembling “what a friend of mine would call a dumpster fire.”
As a result of the alarming allegations, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced on Tuesday that her office has initiated a criminal investigation into the Parks Alliance.
Mayor Lurie’s freeze on city funding is likely to exacerbate the nonprofit’s financial woes, as he expressed grave concerns about the situation: “The allegations involving the San Francisco Parks Alliance are troubling.
Our nonprofit partners support critical projects and community groups, and they must be held to the highest standards of integrity and accountability.”
Currently, the Parks Alliance manages eight active contracts with the city, totaling around $1 million; however, most of that money has reportedly already been disbursed.
The funding freeze will only prevent $287,663 from being paid out.
In addition to the District Attorney’s investigation, the inquiry led by City Attorney David Chiu’s office was unveiled on the same day the DA’s probe was announced.
Today, reports also reveal that Controller Greg Wagner’s office is conducting an audit of the Parks Alliance, reinforcing the concern from city officials.
“The serious allegations we’re hearing about Parks Alliance need to be addressed with urgency,” Wagner stated in a joint announcement with the City Attorney.
“They were entrusted as a steward of funding for important community projects — we need to get to the bottom of what’s happened.”
The case involving Crane Cove Park, located in the Dogpatch neighborhood, has become particularly concerning.
The Baker Street Foundation had donated $3 million for renovations to the park, which remain unfulfilled as it has come to light that the Parks Alliance spent nearly $2 million of that amount on its own operating costs rather than the park renovation.
In response to these developments, Supervisor Shamann Walton has called for hearings related to the Parks Alliance.
As reported by the Chronicle, these hearings are set to begin on Thursday, June 5, at 10 a.m. during the Government Audit & Oversight Committee session.
Supervisor Jackie Fielder has requested a Budget and Legislative Analyst audit, extending scrutiny not only to the Parks Alliance but also to the SF Recreation and Parks Department.
Meanwhile, the free outdoor movie nights may still be available—in fact, there is a screening of “Wicked” scheduled for Saturday, June 7, as part of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival.
Significantly, the event page for this film does not reference the SF Parks Alliance, indicating a potential shift in how these events are managed going forward.
For fans of outdoor cinema, this could represent one of the last opportunities to enjoy such films in city parks for the foreseeable future.
As the investigation and audits unfold, it seems that those who enjoy watching the drama surrounding city scandals may want to get their popcorn ready.
image source from：https://sfist.com/2025/05/23/mayor-lurie-yanks-funding-for-sf-parks-alliance-amidst-multiple-city-probes-into-agencys-finances/
