What National Park Foundation does

The National Park Foundation (NPF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit chartered by Congress in 1967 to serve as the official philanthropic partner of the U.S. National Park Service (NPS). Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with 101–250 employees, NPF generates private donations and corporate partnerships to fund conservation, education, and infrastructure projects across 400+ national park sites. In FY2023, NPF delivered $115 million in grants and programmatic support to the park system, including a $48 million contribution to the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft museum project that opened in 2026.

NPF's revenue model is diversified across four streams: individual donations (annual memberships at standard tiers, monthly sustainers, $1,000+ Champions, and Legacy Society estate planning); corporate partnerships structured as cause-marketing campaigns, licensing royalties, and direct sponsorships; grant funding from foundations and government appropriations; and licensing arrangements (e.g., Klear Concepts fire blanket). Subaru of America is the dominant corporate partner with cumulative contributions exceeding $85 million since 2013, followed by long-standing relationships with Coca-Cola, Nature Valley, North Face, and Union Pacific. More recent deals include T-Mobile (Do Not Disturb Season, up to $1M), Apple Pay, Cortizone-10, and Sierra Nevada Brewing.

Distribution operates through five primary channels: the give.nationalparks.org donation portal, direct mail, corporate partner activations (Subaru Share the Love, Garnier Service Corps), a 450-organization park partner network of local Friends Groups, and broadcast/streaming partnerships (Great American Family, Paramount+). NPF is governed by a Board of Directors (chaired by Rick L. James, with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum as ex-officio director) and operates in conjunction with the NPS to direct private capital toward deferred maintenance, youth education (Open OutDoors for Kids, Junior Ranger Angler), wildlife conservation, and historic preservation across the national park system.

Name

National Park Foundation

Legal name

National Park Foundation

Website

http://www.nationalparks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The National Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit chartered by Congress in 1967 and the official philanthropic partner of the U.S. National Park Service. It raises private donations and corporate partnerships to fund conservation, education, and infrastructure across 400+ national park sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Philanthropy Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Conservation philanthropy
• National park fundraising
• Cause marketing partnerships
• Charitable grantmaking services
• Park preservation programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: NPF raises funds from individual donors through annual membership, monthly sustainer programs, one-time gifts, memorial gifts, and estate/legacy giving. Revenue is recurring in sustainer programs and one-time for direct gifts.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners contribute through cause marketing campaigns (e.g., Subaru Share the Love Event), licensing royalties, philanthropic investments, and brand partnerships. Subaru of America alone has provided over $85 million since 2013.
3. Grant Funding: NPF receives and distributes grant funding from foundations, government appropriations, and institutional donors for specific park programs and conservation projects.
4. Cause Marketing: NPF participates in cause marketing campaigns where corporate partners donate per sale or activity, such as Subaru's Share the Love Event which donated $1.6 million in 2025.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The National Park Foundation is the official congressionally chartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of the U.S. National Park Service. It raises private funds from individual donors, corporate partners, and foundations, then distributes grants and direct programs to protect, preserve, and enhance 400+ national park sites across the United States. NPF also runs educational programs (Open OutDoors for Kids, Junior Ranger Angler), Service Corps workforce initiatives, and stewardship campaigns such as Don't Feed the Landfills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GoParks Newsletter: Monthly newsletter sharing the latest about national parks, including news, travel tips, interviews, promotions, and ways to enjoy and support treasured national parks.
• Trailblazers

Products and services

• National Park Champion Program Annual giving program for loyal park enthusiasts who contribute $1,000 or more per year to support NPF's mission; benefits include recognition and exclusive engagement opportunities.
• National Park Sustainer Program (Monthly Giving) Recurring monthly donation program that provides predictable, year-round operating support for mission-critical conservation work.
• Annual Membership Standard annual membership tier for individual supporters committed to the mission, providing baseline engagement with NPF.
• 1916 Legacy Society (Planned Giving) Estate and planned-giving program allowing donors to include NPF in bequests, trusts, IRAs, donor-advised funds, or retirement-account beneficiary designations.
• Memorial and Tribute Gifts Designated gifts made in honor or memory of a loved one, or to celebrate a life moment, supporting NPF's mission.
• Restricted and Targeted Gifts Restricted gifts and grants from donors and foundations earmarked for specific programs aligned with NPF's mission, including IRA Charitable Rollovers for donors 70½+.
• Corporate Cause Marketing Partnerships Cause-marketing programs in which corporate partners donate per unit sold or per activity completed (e.g., Subaru Share the Love Event, T-Mobile Do Not Disturb Season, Cortizone-10 Itchy Bear Season), with partnerships structured around licensing royalties, brand activation, and employee engagement.
• Open OutDoors for Kids Educational program connecting more than one million children to national parks through field trips and educational programming, supported by Union Pacific, General Motors, Subaru and other partners.
• Junior Ranger Angler Program Youth fishing and outdoor education program; expanded with $1.2 million in grants awarded to 57 national parks, park partners, and community-based organizations for fishing clinics, gear libraries, and outdoor educational experiences.
• Service Corps Program Workforce-development program creating outdoor career opportunities and job-skills training for service-minded individuals; supported by Winnebago Industries, Carhartt, Garnier, and others.
• Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative Joint waste-reduction initiative with Subaru of America and National Parks Conservation Association to eliminate waste from the National Park System; has eliminated 22 million pounds of waste from parks.
• Adventure Awaits Sweepstakes Consumer sweepstakes offering prize packages that include national-park trips with AAdvantage miles from American Airlines and cash from Forbright Bank.
• Licensing and Co-Branded Product Royalties Licensing partnerships (e.g., Klear Concepts Silicone Fire Blanket) and co-branded consumer products that generate royalty revenue for NPF.

Quantifiable outcome

• 323 million park visits in 2025 with 26 parks setting attendance records
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship / core.

• Kenneth C. Griffin (Citadel)minorOthers · 24 June 2026Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, is lending original signed copies of the Emancipation Proclamation (one of only 27 remaining) and the 13th Amendment (one of only 15 known signed copies) to the Lincoln Memorial Undercroft for public display through June 2027 as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration. Griffin previously supported the Undercroft's restoration.
• T-MobilecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 April 2026First-ever Do Not Disturb Season partnership with NPF, a nationwide campaign running April 14 to May 8, 2026, inviting Americans to disconnect and spend time in national parks. Includes T-Mobile committing up to $1 million, a sweepstakes for national park adventure packages, and network enhancements including 5G and satellite connectivity in parks.
• Subaru of Americaflagship / coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 November 2025Subaru of America is NPF's largest corporate partner, having donated over $85 million since 2013. Key programs include the annual Share the Love Event (donating $1.6M in 2025 alone), the Don't Feed the Landfills Initiative (eliminating 22M lbs of waste from parks), and VIP Signature Program for NPF supporters. Subaru also supports NPF's Open OutDoors for Kids program and Resilience & Sustainability initiatives.
• The Coca-Cola Companyflagship / coreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe longest-standing corporate partner of NPF. Coca-Cola supports waste reduction, recycling, and restoration of wetlands throughout the national park system. Partnership includes expansion of recycling at Glacier National Park and visitation studies at National Mall. Coca-Cola's commitment extends to hundreds of miles of trail repair and park facility enhancements.
• Nature ValleycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier partner of NPF's Outdoor Exploration programming. Nature Valley helps ensure everyone has access to and enjoys the benefits of being outdoors, aligning with NPF's mission to connect people with national parks.
• The North Face & VF FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of The North Face's global 'Power of Nature' impact platform, partnering with NPF to help reconnect the next generation with nature through transformative outdoor experiences.
• Paramount+coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst-ever Official Streaming Partner of the National Park Foundation, providing unprecedented access to America's iconic national parks through streaming content.
• Union PacificcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDeep partnership with NPF's Open OutDoors for Kids program to connect over one million kids to national parks through field trips and educational programming.
• Winnebago IndustriescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWinnebago Brand and Winnebago Industries Foundation support Service Corps programs to create opportunities in the outdoors, helping build a pipeline of people to protect national parks while gaining job skills training.
• T-MobilecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFirst-ever Do Not Disturb Season partnership (April-May 2026), a nationwide campaign encouraging disconnection from digital distractions and time in national parks. T-Mobile committed up to $1 million to NPF, with network enhancements including 5G and satellite connectivity. Campaign included a sweepstakes and Magenta Base Camp pop-up at Grand Central Terminal.
• GarnierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGarnier's support of NPF and Service Corps programs represents a shared vision of fostering a more sustainable future, with Garnier committed to the National Park Foundation as part of its 2026 wellness-focused expansion.
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLimited-edition Pale Ale packaging featuring six iconic national parks (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and others) available April-July 2026. Brewery contributes financially to NPF conservation efforts and offers exclusive merchandise and sweepstakes.
• Great American FamilyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBroadcast partner for the 2025 National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, streamed on Great American Pure Flix platform through January 2026.
• General MotorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with NPF to expand access to STEM education through the Open OutDoors for Kids program in parks across the country.
• AppleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApple Pay donation campaign celebrating National Parks, launched August 2025, enabling convenient charitable giving through Apple's payment platform.
• PublixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommitted to helping protect, conserve, and restore water resources across central and south Florida national parks and preserves.
• CarharttminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupport of Service Corps helps build a pipeline of hardworking people to protect national parks, lift up communities, and gain in-demand job skills training.
• American AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartners with NPF to provide access to national parks through travel support and programs that connect more people to the beauty and wonder of these treasured places.
• National Park Friends Allianceflagship / coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPF provides thought-partnership and resources to the National Park Friends Alliance, a professional networking organization supporting all official NPS philanthropic partners. Annual meetings offer peer-to-peer learning, leadership updates, and strategic discussions for 450+ park partner organizations.
• The Coca-Cola FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports critical water conservation efforts and preservation of natural resources to support parks and communities for generations to come.
• National Park Service (NPS)flagship / coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service (chartered by Congress in 1967), NPF directly supports all 400+ NPS park sites. NPF works side-by-side with NPS to identify needs, priorities, and opportunities across the system, directing private philanthropy where it has the greatest impact.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Parks Conservation Association: The leading independent advocacy nonprofit solely focused on protecting and enhancing the National Park System. Directly comparable to NPF in mission (national park protection), donor base (park enthusiasts), and Washington D.C. operations, though NPCA focuses on policy/advocacy while NPF focuses on fundraising/programmatic support.
• National Geographic Society: A nonprofit focused on exploration, conservation, and science education with global brand recognition, donor membership programs, and high-impact grants. Comparable in scale, brand-driven fundraising, and the combination of conservation grants with public engagement.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest environmental nonprofits globally, focused on land and water conservation with corporate partnerships, individual giving, and major capital campaigns. Directly comparable mission profile, donor model, and conservation grantmaking at scale.
• National Wildlife Federation: A large conservation nonprofit with a focus on wildlife and habitat, broad individual-membership programs, and corporate partnerships. Comparable donor base, cause-marketing flywheel, and conservation-education programmatic focus.
• The Trust for Public Land: A national nonprofit focused on land conservation and creating parks close to home. Comparable as a conservation land-focused nonprofit with corporate partnerships, government collaboration, and significant programmatic grantmaking to parks and protected areas.
• The Conservation Fund: A nonprofit focused on conservation of land and water resources through acquisitions, partnerships, and sustainable economic solutions. Comparable as a conservation grantmaking organization working alongside federal land-management agencies.
• Sierra Club: One of the oldest and largest environmental organizations in the U.S., with mass-membership fundraising, outdoor engagement, and advocacy for public lands. Comparable in mission alignment with national parks and outdoor engagement, though more advocacy-oriented than grantmaking.
• World Wildlife Fund (U.S.): A leading international conservation nonprofit with corporate partnerships (cause marketing), individual donor programs, and protected-area grantmaking. Comparable in cause-marketing flywheel and conservation grantmaking model.

Emerging players

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: A nonprofit dedicated to the conservation and management of the Appalachian Trail, with membership programs, corporate partnerships, and a volunteer-driven trail stewardship model. Comparable as a public-land conservation nonprofit with a dedicated trail/park focus and donor-driven funding model.

Broad incumbents

• Smithsonian Institution: A large federally chartered museum and research complex with major donor programs, corporate partnerships, and national-mall-based attractions. Comparable as a federally connected cultural/institutional nonprofit on the National Mall, but far broader in scope than park-specific conservation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/goparks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/nationalparkfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalpark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-park-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalparkfoundation
• TikToktiktok.com/@nationalparkfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles40 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about National Park Foundation