Nonprofit and Friends Group Management Resources

Official Friends groups are able to raise funds for capital projects, advocate for their parks and historic sites, take on programmatic and on-the-ground maintenance tasks, and more. In order to become and remain an officially recognized Friends group, your group regularly has to take certain steps and meet certain requirements. Although it might seem daunting at first, it is very doable and PTNY has a myriad of resources available to Friends for every step of this process.

For full access to all available resources, become a member today.

Friends-to-Friends Workshop: Updating & Maximizing your MOA with State Parks

Every 5 years, Friends groups affiliated with New York State Parks are required to update their MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) with OPRHP. Whether your organization is due for a renewal this year, or in the near future, there are new requirements for your next application.

This workshop in our 2021 series dives into best-practices and tips for updating and maximizing your MOA with State Parks. Specifically, we look at the requirement that groups submit a 5-year plan including tips, templates and valuable strategies for communicating your vision with the park or site manager, and the broader community.

This workshop features insights from Shari Calnero, Associate Counsel at the New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation as well as Andy Fyfe, Assistant Deputy Commissioner at State Parks.

 Steps for Becoming an Official Friends Group

1. File with the NYS Department of State for a certificate of Incorporation by filling out form 1511.
2. Formalize organizational structure and approve bylaws.
3. Register with the New York Attorney General by filling out the form CHAR 410 OR CHAR 500.
4. Obtain an employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS by filling out an online application.
5. Apply for Tax Exempt Status with the IRS by filling out filling out form 1023 (OPTIONAL).
6. Apply for a Memorandum of Agreement (or another legal agreement) with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation using this checklist of requirements.

 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with OPRHP Requirements

• Checklist of requirements for entering into or renewing your MOA with OPRHP
• PTNY's five-year plan template (new requirement for MOA renewal)
• Model conflict of interest policy sample
• Conflict of interest policy sample
• NYS model policy for the prevention of sexual harassment and minimum standards
• New workplace discrimination and harassment protections- NY Division of Human Rights
• CHAR500 for 2020 with annual filing checklist
• Obtaining tax-exempt status for your organization (IRS)

Nonprofit Management Resources for Members