What Florida State Parks Foundation does

The Florida State Parks Foundation is a Tallahassee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit citizen support organization founded in 1993 (originally as Friends of Florida State Parks) that raises and deploys philanthropic capital to preserve, protect, and grow Florida's 175-park state park system. It operates as a complementary fundraising and grant-making partner to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Recreation and Parks, channeling individual, corporate, and foundation donations into programs that the state budget alone does not cover. Its core product surface includes Park Impact Grants (up to $15,000 per CSO), the Access for All accessibility initiative (funding beach wheelchairs, accessible boats, electric trams, and beach matting), the Greener Initiative (battery-powered tools, LED lighting, hybrid-electric boats, e-bikes), the John Kerschner Scholarship Fund for staff professional development, the Plant a Pine longleaf restoration program ($1 = 1 seedling, ~500,000 planted since 2020), and tiered individual/family memberships ($50–$2,500).

Revenue derives from five primary streams: (1) tiered annual memberships sold via the EveryAction platform, (2) the "Explore Our State Parks" specialty license plate ($33 with $25 donated per sale, 23,000+ plates cumulative), (3) Plant a Pine unit-priced donations, (4) corporate and foundation sponsorships across five tiers (Bronze through Platinum, $1,000–$100,000+), and (5) bequests and planned giving via the Great Blue Heron Legacy Society. A nearly $17 million bequest from John Kerschner (2018) underwrites long-term capacity and the staff professional development scholarship fund. The Foundation operates with a lean team of six full-time staff, a network of 20,000+ volunteers, and supporting Citizen Support Organizations at parks statewide. Marketing reach includes 150,000+ newsletter subscribers, ~300,000 monthly social impressions, and a capped DMO cooperative marketing program (12 partners at $3,000/year). Technology consists of standard third-party platforms (EveryAction, Canva Pro); the organization develops no proprietary software or AI products.

Name

Florida State Parks Foundation

Legal name

Florida State Parks Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://floridastateparksfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Florida State Parks Foundation is a Tallahassee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises and deploys philanthropic capital to preserve, protect, and grow Florida's 175-park state park system, serving as the official citizen support organization for the Florida Park Service through grants, accessibility, sustainability, and education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Conservation / State Park Support Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Forestry & Public Lands Administration (State/National Forests) (BPAIAMAF), State/Provincial Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration (BPAIABAL)

Keywords

• State park preservation
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Conservation grant programs
• Park accessibility initiatives
• Environmental sustainability programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tallahassee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Individual and family memberships sold at tiered price points from $50 to $2,500 annually. Each tier includes complimentary one-day park passes as a benefit. The membership base contributes to ongoing operational funding.
2. Specialty License Plate Sales: The 'Explore Our State Parks' specialty license plate is sold for $33, of which $25 is a donation to the Foundation. Plates are available to Florida drivers. Revenue has grown with over 23,000 plates sold as of early 2026.
3. Plant a Pine Donations: A designated giving program where donors contribute $1 per longleaf pine seedling planted in Florida State Parks. The program has generated over $450,000 for longleaf pine restoration since its 2020 launch and nearly $200,000 toward the 500,000-seedling milestone.
4. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Major grants and sponsorships from corporate and foundation partners. In 2025, the Foundation raised or distributed $2.187 million. Key platinum sponsors (over $100,000) include Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light Co., Felburn Foundation, Richard King Mellon Foundation, and others.
5. Bequests and Planned Giving: The Great Blue Heron Legacy Society manages planned giving and bequest programs. A major $17 million bequest from John Kerschner in 2018 enabled significant expansion of operations and creation of the John Kerschner Scholarship Fund.
6. Corporate Membership and Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers (Platinum $100,000+, Gold $50,000-$99,999, Silver $25,000-$49,999, Bronze $10,000-$24,999, Contributor $1,000-$9,999). Sponsors receive logo placement, recognition, and partnership benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Florida State Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit citizen support organization that preserves, protects, sustains, and grows Florida's 175 state parks by raising and distributing supplemental funds from individuals, corporations, and foundations. It operates distinct programs including Park Impact Grants for Citizen Support Organizations, the Access for All accessibility initiative, the Greener Initiative for environmental sustainability, the John Kerschner Scholarship Fund for staff development, the Plant a Pine longleaf pine restoration program, and tiered individual/family memberships, while generating revenue through its Explore Our State Parks specialty license plate.

Product overview

Florida State Parks Foundation operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) citizen support organization that offers a portfolio of interconnected programs supporting Florida's award-winning state park system. The core offerings include Park Impact Grants for CSOs and accessibility projects, the Access for All initiative providing adaptive equipment (beach wheelchairs, accessible boats, trams), the Greener Initiative for sustainability projects (battery-powered tools, LED lighting, hybrid-electric boats), the John Kerschner Scholarship Fund for staff professional development, the Plant a Pine longleaf restoration program, and Individual/Family Membership tiers with park passes. Revenue generation includes the 'Explore Our State Parks' specialty license plate ($25 per plate). Together, these programs preserve, protect, sustain, and grow Florida State Parks through fundraising, grants, accessibility improvements, environmental initiatives, and educational programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Park Impact Grants Grant program awarding up to $15,000 per grant to Citizen Support Organizations (CSOs) and parks without CSOs for accessibility projects, resource restoration, and park maintenance; recipients include friend groups supporting the state's 175 Florida State Parks.
• Access for All Accessibility initiative funding equipment and projects that make Florida's state parks accessible to visitors with disabilities, including beach wheelchairs, accessible boats, electric accessible trams, accessible kayak launches, and beach-accessible matting at seven parks.
• Greener Initiative Environmental sustainability program planning, developing, funding, and installing projects that increase environmental sustainability, reduce waste, and lower utility costs within Florida's state parks through battery-powered equipment, LED lighting, hybrid-electric boats, and e-bikes.
• John Kerschner Scholarship Fund Scholarship fund providing Florida State Parks staff with funding to pursue professional training, certifications, and development opportunities.
• Explore Our State Parks Specialty License Plate Official Florida specialty license plate program generating revenue for the Foundation; costs $33 with $25 going directly to support Florida State Parks; available through the Indian River County Tax Collector's Office to Florida drivers.
• Individual and Family Membership Annual membership program with six tiers — Adventurer $50, Sandhill Crane $100, Torreya $250, Longleaf Pine $500, Sabal Palm $1,000, Cypress $2,500 — providing complimentary one-day park passes and exclusive member benefits such as magnets, stickers, totes, ornaments, and bike plates.
• Plant a Pine Longleaf pine restoration donation program where for every $1 donated, one native longleaf pine seedling is planted in a Florida State Park; donors may dedicate contributions in memory of a loved one or in honor of another person.
• Great Blue Heron Legacy Society Planned giving and bequest program enabling individuals to leave legacy gifts supporting Florida State Parks; includes a Leave A Legacy sub-program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 28 million+ annual visitors served across 175 Florida State Parks
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, gold, major, contributor, dmo partner, operational and in-kind.

• STIHL Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation partnered with STIHL Inc. to supply nearly 350 battery-powered tools to Florida's state parks, replacing gas-powered equipment to enhance sustainability and efficiency. This initiative is part of the Foundation's Greener Initiative launched in 2023, aiming to reduce emissions and improve park maintenance while supporting storm recovery efforts.
• Athletic Brewing Co.goldStrategic or Co-development PartnerAthletic Brewing Co. is a Gold-level sponsor that partnered with the Foundation to expand accessibility at Fort Mose Historic State Park (crushed coquina trail) and at St. George Island State Park (new accessible viewing platform).
• Cannondale Bicycles and REI Co-opmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn July 2024, the Foundation teamed up with Cannondale Bicycles and REI Co-op's Winter Park, Florida store to provide 25 Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 e-bikes for ranger use across state parks. The program expanded to 25 additional e-bikes in August 2025, bringing the total fleet to 50.
• The Nature Conservancy (Florida Chapter)contributorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Contributor-level sponsor ($1,000-$9,999) and a key environmental organization partner supporting Florida State Parks conservation goals.
• Fort Mose Historical SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Fort Mose Historical Society initiated the Fort Mose reconstruction project and works closely with the Foundation on this historic site. The $933,000 grant from the Florida Department of State (with Foundation support) funded the reconstruction of Fort Mose, the first legally sanctioned free Black community in the US.
• Visit Tampa Baydmo partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerVisit Tampa Bay is a DMO partner of the Foundation through the Cooperative Marketing Opportunity program, promoting state parks in the Tampa Bay region to their tourism audience through the Foundation's marketing channels.
• Florida's Historic Coastdmo partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFlorida's Historic Coast (St. Augustine) is a DMO partner promoting state parks in the Historic Coast region through the Foundation's cooperative marketing program.
• Amelia Island Tourist Development Councildmo partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Amelia Island TDC is a DMO partner utilizing the Foundation's cooperative marketing opportunity to promote state parks in the Amelia Island region.
• Indian River County Tax Collector's OfficeoperationalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProcesses orders for the 'Explore Our State Parks' specialty license plate on behalf of the Foundation. Customers submit orders through the Foundation's website form and are contacted by the Tax Collector's office to complete the purchase.
• Canvain-kindGTM or Marketing PartnerCanva provides its Pro version free to registered nonprofits including the Foundation and its Citizen Support Organization members, enabling them to create professional graphics, marketing materials, social media posts, event posters, and more. The Foundation facilitates access for its network of friends groups.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• California State Parks Foundation: California's analogous 501(c)(3) citizen support organization for state parks, raising funds and advocating for the California State Park system. Closely mirrors the Florida State Parks Foundation's model of supplementing state budgets through memberships, grants, and corporate sponsorships.
• Friends of the Smokies: 501(c)(3) supporting Great Smoky Mountains National Park through memberships, corporate partnerships, and on-the-ground projects. Highly comparable as a park-system-aligned friends group with similar membership tiers and corporate sponsorship structures.
• Friends of Acadia: The official friends group for Acadia National Park, raising private funds to preserve and protect the park. A near-perfect structural peer — a 501(c)(3) citizen support organization for a single park system, funded through memberships, planned giving, and corporate partnerships.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: A 145-year-old member-supported nonprofit dedicated to conserving and managing outdoor recreation lands in the Northeast. Highly comparable tiered membership model and mission to sustain state/regional park and trail infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

• National Park Foundation: The official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, supporting all 400+ national parks. Operates at a much larger scale but uses a near-identical model of memberships, corporate partnerships, and donor-funded programming for a public park system.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates parks and protects land for people, operating across all 50 states. A broader incumbent in the conservation/parks space with adjacent (but not directly competing) focus on park creation, conservation real estate, and policy advocacy.
• National Audubon Society: One of the largest U.S. environmental nonprofits, focused on bird and habitat conservation across a national sanctuary network. Operates in the same conservation-advocacy and member-funded model but at much larger scale and with a different programmatic focus.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global environmental nonprofit that protects lands and waters via purchase and stewardship, including extensive work in Florida. Compares on conservation mission and corporate/foundation fundraising but is far larger and broader in scope.

Emerging players

• Defenders of Wildlife: National nonprofit focused on wildlife and habitat conservation with significant Florida programming. Comparable as a conservation advocacy organization reliant on memberships and donor support, but with a narrower programmatic focus on imperiled species.

Regional players

• Florida Wildlife Federation: Florida's oldest citizen conservation organization, focused on wildlife habitat, hunting/fishing access, and state land management. A regional peer operating in the same Florida conservation ecosystem with overlapping membership and advocacy models.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FloridaStateParksFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/floridastateparksfoundation
• Xx.com/flstateparksfdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/floridastateparksfoundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Florida State Parks Foundation