The city of San Francisco has outsourced much of its governance to an army of nongovernmental organizations. The structure of this arrangement has become so complex and convoluted that San Francisco can’t even keep track of where money is going and who is actually benefiting from it.

The city has opened an investigation into the San Francisco Parks Alliance, which describes itself as “the only city-wide parks nonprofit in San Francisco.” SF Parks Alliance allegedly used $3.8 million in donor money to cover operating expenses, and Mayor Daniel Lurie paused over $1 million worth of contracts delegated to the nonprofit organization. The group has still not provided an audit due in 2024, handing in a draft version and thereby avoiding being placed on a watchlist by the city.