Description

Parks and recreation are among the most important quality-of-life services in local government. They shape how people experience their community, support public health and connection, and reflects a city or district's values. 

Because of that, the financial decisions made in parks and recreation matter deeply. Every dollar spent, saved, invested, or deferred affects a community's long-term well-being. 

The 2026 Financial Sustainability Certificate Program (FSCP) is designed for this reality. It strengthens the fiscal stewardship and leadership practices needed to ensure parks and recreation organizations and the quality-of-life services they provide can endure, adapt, and serve the public responsibly and effectively.

Led by Jamie Sabbach, a practitioner, educator, and consultant rooted in the parks and recreation profession, the program blends practical skill-building with honest reflection about the pressures and realities facing organizations and communities today.

Registration deadline is Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

Location

Buffalo Grove Park District, Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove, IL, 60089.

Why This Program Matters

The FSCP is not just about balancing budgets. It is about the thinking, discipline, and the leadership behind financial choices - how we assign value, how we set priorities, and how we make decisions that protect organizations over the long term.

Participants will explore how to

• Clarify purpose and align resources with what matters most
• Build cost recover and investment strategies rooted in equity and stewardship
• Understand the math behind long-term sustainability, including lifecycle considerations
• Optimize resources so that efficiency is more than a buzzword
• Make decisions that reduce pressure, strengthen trust, and uphold organizational integrity
• Shift from "how we've always done it" to thoughtful, disciplined, future-ready practices

The program strengthens internal systems and the habits that support long-term financial health in parks and recreation.

Who Should Attend

The FSCP is designed for anyone involved in decisions connected to parks and recreation management:

• Directors, senior leaders, and rising professionals
• Mid-level managers and supervisors
• Finance, planning, and administrative staff
• City/Council administrators and assistants
• Boards, commissions, and advisory groups
• Elected or appointed officials with oversight of parks and recreation

Organizations are encouraged to send more than one participant. Shared learning creates shared language, alignment, and momentum, strengthening the ability to implement sustainable practices. 

CEUs

Event approved for 1.5 CEUs (Continuing Education Units are for CPRE and CPRP certifications).

Program Format

This three-day course will consist of 18 total contact hours, or 15 hours of content.