Leadership Giving

Leadership Giving members ensure the Park’s current health and guarantee its future well-being for generations to come.

Our supporters understand that Central Park is crucial to the health of New York City and maintaining its vibrancy is our shared responsibility. These key philanthropic partners help sustain Central Park on a daily basis, providing significant funding through unrestricted gifts of $10,000 or more.

Join our Leadership Giving Circles

Message from Betsy Smith, President & CEO

  • Chairman’s Circle and President’s Circle members understand that Central Park is among New York City’s greatest assets and one of the world’s most important democratic and cultural spaces. It takes a remarkable amount of resources to manage the impact of the Park’s 42 million annual visitors. I am so grateful for the generosity of these dedicated groups of supporters — their partnership is vital to the work we do every day.

Leadership Giving Circle Benefits

  • A private driving or walking tour of Central Park hosted by Conservancy staff or docents

  • Pre-performance cocktail reception and reserved seating for Shakespeare in the Park

  • Pre-performance cocktail reception and preferred seating for the New York Philharmonic concert on the Great Lawn

  • Behind-the-scenes tours, lectures, and receptions with Park professionals

  • Annual Conservatory Garden cocktail party and walking tour

  • Annual New York City Marathon Breakfast

  • Annual Skating Party

  • Central Park Conservancy tote bag, baseball cap, and Park map*

*First-time members only. Membership is 100% tax-deductible.

PRESIDENT'S CIRCLE EVENTS

Celebrate Spring Tour & Reception
April 16, 2026

Bi-Annual Family Portrait Day
May 2, 2026 (Rain Date: May 3)
Reservations are first come, first served

Taste of Summer
June 3, 2026
Ticketed benefit event

New York Philharmonic Pre-Performance Reception with Preferred Seating
June 10, 2026

Shakespeare in the Park: Romeo & Juliet
Tickets & Pre-Performance Reception
June 16, 2026

Shakespeare in the Park: Winter’s Tale
Tickets & Pre-Performance Reception
August 12, 2026

Conservatory Garden Party
September 8, 2026 (Rain Date: September 10)

Central Park Conservancy Film Festival with Preferred Seating
October 6, 2026 – October 9, 2026 (4 days)

Marathon Breakfast
November 1, 2026

2026 Annual Gala
November 18, 2026
Ticketed benefit event

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE EVENTS

Includes invitations to all President’s Circle events, plus:

Panel Conversation: Cultivating Resilience
In partnership with the World Monuments Fund
April 22, 2026

Chairman’s Circle Starlight Dinner in the Park*
May 18, 2026

Playground Partners Annual Family Party
May 20, 2026
Ticketed benefit event; invitation sent to Playground Partners members.
Please reach out for more information


*For new members and members at the $50,000 level and above

VIRTUAL EVENTS

We hope you will join us for some of our virtual events! Invitations will be sent via email.

Secrets of Central Park
Wednesdays at 12:30pm
Weekly on Zoom
Registration required

To learn more about our Leadership Giving Circles, please contact Deema Salem Syed at 212-446-2240 or [email protected].