Regional Parks Foundation

What Regional Parks Foundation does

The Regional Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1969 and headquartered in Castro Valley, California, that operates as the exclusive fundraising and program-delivery arm of the East Bay Regional Park District — the largest regional park system in the United States, spanning 73 parks, 125,000+ acres, 1,330+ miles of trails, and 55 miles of shoreline across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The Foundation generates contributed revenue through a diversified, multi-channel model: tiered annual memberships (Regular $60-$300, Special Access $45-$180, Donor Circle $250-$1,200, and Botanic Garden Friends $30-$1,000), individual donations (one-time and recurring), corporate sponsorships ($1,000-$50,000) and volunteer days ($2,500-$5,000), foundation grants, planned giving/bequests, securities gifts via UBS, vehicle donations through Car Donation Services, and donor-advised fund transfers. Distribution is omnichannel: a self-service e-commerce website, 12 park visitor-center kiosks, 4 REI retail locations, phone, mail, and on-site event sales.

Operationally, the Foundation runs five core program verticals — Youth Development (camperships, Adventure Crews), Environmental Stewardship (Amphibian Ambassador, Burrowing Owl Buddies, habitat restoration), Universal Access (Parks Express transportation, Special Needs Fishing Derbies, All Abilities Day), Health/Wellness/Safety (SHINE nature-prescription program with UCSF, Senior Outreach, water safety), and Community Engagement (Trails Challenge, Wild Within Reach seminars, corporate volunteer days) — alongside signature fundraising events (Trails Challenge in its 33rd year, Lakeside Laps launched 2024) and estate planning seminars feeding the bequest pipeline. A lean 7-10 person staff executes against a published 2026-2030 Strategic Plan; technology stack is non-proprietary (Raiser's Edge CRM, Asana, Gusto, Issuu for Compass magazine) and there are no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. The 2024 impact was $3.25M raised serving 16,098 community members and 12,600 members, with 2025 program investment exceeding $2.3M.

Name

Regional Parks Foundation

Legal name

Regional Parks Foundation

Website

https://regionalparksfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Regional Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 that serves as the exclusive fundraising and program-delivery arm of the East Bay Regional Park District, raising contributed revenue through memberships, donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants to fund youth, access, and stewardship programs across 73 parks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Park Foundation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK), Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH), Park Concession Operations (Food, Retail, Fuel, General Stores) (THAAAGAA), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

Keywords

• Park foundation services
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Membership programs
• Environmental stewardship
• Youth outdoor education

Headquarters

HQ city

Castro Valley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Program: Annual memberships provide day-use parking, swimming, camping discounts, and other benefits. Memberships are non-refundable and are 100% tax-deductible except for Angler memberships and REI-purchased memberships. The Foundation has 12,600 members.
2. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting youth development, environmental stewardship, and general operations. Donation options include one-time and monthly recurring gifts.
3. Corporate Sponsorships & Giving: Event sponsorships range from $1,000 to $50,000. Corporate volunteer days require donations ($2,500-$5,000). Employer matching gift program available.
4. Bequests and Estate Planning: Legacy gifts including bequests, retirement plan beneficiary designations, charitable trusts, and real estate. Endowment programs for Campership, Environment Restoration, and Botanic Garden.
5. Securities and Stock Gifts: Donations of stocks or mutual funds accepted via electronic transfer through UBS Financial Services.
6. Vehicle Donations: Vehicle donations (cars, RVs, motorcycles) processed through Car Donation Services, Inc.
7. Donor-Advised Funds: Accepts donations from donor-advised funds. EIN 23-7011877 for DAF transfers.
8. Foundation Grants: Grant funding from private foundations supporting various programs including environmental stewardship, youth development, and access initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Regional Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises philanthropic funds to support the East Bay Regional Park District's 73 parks spanning 125,000+ acres. It sells tiered annual memberships (Regular, Special Access, Donor Circle, Botanic Garden Friends), accepts individual and corporate donations, and operates programmatic offerings in youth development, environmental stewardship, universal access, and health and wellness, along with signature events such as Trails Challenge and Lakeside Laps.

Product overview

The Regional Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a membership-based fundraising foundation supporting the East Bay Regional Park District. The Foundation offers a tiered membership program (Regular, Special Access, Donor Circle) providing park access benefits, plus specialized memberships for the Botanic Garden. Core programs include youth development (camperships, adventure camps), environmental stewardship, health and wellness initiatives, universal access transportation, and community engagement. The Foundation runs signature events (Trails Challenge, Lakeside Laps), educational seminars (Wild Within Reach, Estate Planning), and publishes Compass magazine. Donation and legacy giving programs support park preservation across 73 regional parks spanning 126,809 acres.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Regular Membership Annual membership for individuals and families providing unlimited day-use parking at East Bay Regional Parks, free swimming, free admission to Ardenwood on non-event days, camping discounts, and newsletter subscriptions. Available as Individual ($60), Family ($105), and Angler ($300) annual tiers.
• Special Access Membership Discounted annual membership for seniors (62+), disabled persons, veterans (DD214), and full-time students, with proof of eligibility required. Available as Individual ($45), Family ($85), or Angler ($180) tiers.
• Donor Circle Membership Premium annual donor membership tiers that fund programs ensuring underserved populations receive equal park access through educational and recreational programs. Tiers include Tilden Circle ($250), Reinhardt Circle ($500), Mott Circle ($750), and 34 Club ($1,200).
• Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden Membership Annual membership supporting the Regional Parks Botanic Garden's education, horticulture, and California native plant conservation. Tiers include Student/Limited Income ($30), Individual ($50), Family ($75), California Poppy ($125), Buckwheat ($250), Ceanothus ($500), and Manzanita ($1,000).
• Gift of Membership Gift memberships available in all categories for birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays, allowing recipients to enjoy East Bay Regional Parks year-round.
• Youth Development Programs Campership program offering summer camps, aquatic programs, Adventure Crews, and environmental education for underserved youth ages 5-17, including scholarships for overnight camps, school field trips, and after-school programs.
• Environmental Stewardship Programs Programs including Amphibian Ambassador (pond restoration), Burrowing Owl Buddies, Habitat Helpers (invasive plant removal), It's Your Tern (California least tern nesting), and Kids Healthy Outdoors Challenge (KHOC) environmental education.
• Health, Wellness and Safety Programs Programs including SHINE (nature prescriptions with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital), Senior Outreach, Multicultural Wellness Walks, Share Our Trail safety program, water safety (swim lessons, life jackets, rescue equipment), and public safety equipment funding.
• Universal Access Programs Parks Express transportation for low-income schools and underserved populations, Senior Outreach Program, Special Needs Fishing Derbies, All Abilities Day, and multicultural wellness initiatives.
• Community Engagement Programs
• Trails Challenge Free annual program featuring 20 designated trails. Participants complete 5 trails or 26.2 miles via walking, biking, or horseback riding. Includes guidebook and t-shirt, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and AllTrails.
• Lakeside Laps Annual half marathon, 10K, and 5K running and walking event at Lake Chabot celebrating East Bay Regional Park District, with over 600 runners participating in the 2024 inaugural event.
• Wild Within Reach Seminars Virtual Lunch & Learn seminar series featuring Park District biologists and stewardship experts discussing local wildlife, conservation, and restoration efforts across East Bay parks.
• Estate Planning Seminars Free seminars on estate planning topics including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care directives, charitable trusts, and legacy planning. Presented by Planned Giving Subcommittee professionals and available via Zoom.
• Corporate Volunteer and Team Building Program Corporate volunteer days with large group (up to 50 volunteers for $5,000 donation) and small group (up to 25 volunteers for $2,500 donation) options, including trail maintenance and stewardship projects for team building.
• Bequests, Wills and Trusts Program Legacy giving program accepting cash, stocks, real estate, IRAs, and charitable trusts, with named endowment options for Campership, Environment Restoration, and Botanic Garden programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• $3.25 million raised in 2024, serving 16,098 community members and 12,600 members
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Brazen RacingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 July 2024Event production partner for Lakeside Laps half marathon, 10K, and 5K event at Lake Chabot celebrating EBRPD's 90th anniversary. Over 600 runners participated.
• UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital OaklandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Partnership since 2012 for SHINE (Stay Healthy in Nature Every Day) program where doctors prescribe time in nature as part of treatment. Foundation funds transportation, meals, and independent program evaluation. Program connects hospital patients and families with East Bay Regional Parks.
• East Bay Regional Park DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary partner organization. The Foundation exists to build community support for EBRPD's 73 parks, 125,000+ acres, 1,330+ miles of trails, and 55 miles of shoreline. EBRPD operates the parks; the Foundation provides fundraising, programming, and access support. 16,000+ EBRPD volunteers contribute 155,000+ hours annually. Shared headquarters in Oakland.
• REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorREI stores sell Regional Parks Foundation memberships at Berkeley, Concord, Dublin, and San Francisco locations. Special Access memberships are not available through REI.
• Kaiser PermanentemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Trails Challenge 2026 program promoting healthy recreation and time in nature. 33rd year of the program encouraging participants to walk, ride, or roll 5 trails or 26.2 miles.
• AllTrailsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Trails Challenge 2026 program. AllTrails provides trail information and mapping to support participant engagement.
• Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic GardencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer-run organization founded in 1996 supporting the Botanic Garden's education, horticulture, and conservation work. Foundation serves as fiscal agent for the Friends, processing all donations and memberships. Supports plant collection, docent training, path building, and planting bed improvement.
• Local Libraries (Backpacks to Parks Initiative)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with libraries in Alameda and Contra Costa counties on Backpacks to Parks initiative providing outdoor exploration resources to library patrons.
• Car Donation Services, Inc.minorOthersVehicle donation partner processing car, RV, and motorcycle donations to the Foundation. Handles DMV forms, donation receipts, and vehicle pickup at no cost to donors.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit working to conserve land for public use. A larger incumbent in the same parks/land-conservation space with a similar mission of ensuring public access to nature; relevant for benchmarking national strategy.
• National Wildlife Federation: National conservation organization with programs spanning wildlife, education, and habitat. Comparable for its broad membership-based nonprofit model and overlapping environmental-education programs; the Foundation's Finance Manager previously worked here.
• National Park Foundation: The official national nonprofit of the National Park Service. A larger, broader incumbent in the same space of park philanthropy; relevant for benchmarking fundraising scale, member programs, and national donor cultivation strategies.

Direct peers

• Save the Redwoods League: California-based nonprofit protecting and restoring redwood forests and related landscapes. Comparable as a state-level conservation nonprofit that combines land stewardship, membership programs, and education across Northern California.
• Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: The official nonprofit partner of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Directly comparable as a regional park-supporting foundation running membership, volunteer, and access programs, with a similarly capital-efficient staff model serving a major Bay Area park system.
• California State Parks Foundation: Statewide nonprofit supporting California State Parks through philanthropy and advocacy. Highly comparable given shared programmatic focus on access for underserved populations, and the Regional Parks Foundation's ED previously served as Deputy Director here.
• Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST): Bay Area land trust that protects and preserves open space on the San Francisco Peninsula. Directly comparable as a regional open-space nonprofit operating in close geographic proximity with similar donor and member bases in the Bay Area.
• Save the Bay: Bay Area nonprofit focused on San Francisco Bay protection, restoration, and access. Comparable as a regional environmental nonprofit with a strong Bay Area donor base, membership programs, and policy/advocacy work; the Foundation's Membership Officer previously worked here.

Others

• East Bay Regional Park District: The public agency whose 73 parks and 125,000+ acres the Foundation supports. Not a direct peer but a critical operating partner; included for context given that the Foundation's entire mission and fundraising model is built around this District.

Regional players

• Sempervirens Fund: Silicon Valley-based nonprofit protecting redwood and other forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Comparable as a Bay Area regional park/forest foundation with similar donor demographics and land-stewardship programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rpf_eb
• Facebookfacebook.com/regionalparksfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/regional-parks-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/regionalparksfoundation

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Regional Parks Foundation