Crater Lake National Park Trust

What Crater Lake National Park Trust does

Crater Lake National Park Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 during planning for the Park's 100th anniversary and operating as an independent entity since obtaining tax-exempt status in January 2008. Originally formed as a committee of the National Park Foundation, the Trust became independent in late 2006 and now operates under a Board of Trustees with at least four disclosed members spanning education, tourism, consumer products, and travel sectors. Its mission is to protect, promote, and enhance Crater Lake National Park, its unique water purity, and its value for human inspiration and knowledge.

The Trust delivers its mission through a programmatic portfolio rather than commercial products. Core assets include the Science and Learning Center (opened 2005 in two historic park buildings, providing offices, library, and overnight lodging for researchers), an active bat acoustic monitoring program using four Pettersson D500X NATBat units in partnership with Oregon State University and the USGS NABat program, and educational programs including the Classroom at Crater Lake teacher training and travel subsidies. Signature events include Ride the Rim, the Artist in Residence program (partnering with Southern Oregon University and Oregon Institute of Technology), Natural History On a High Note, and ranger-led snowshoe walks. International sister park agreements with Triglav National Park (Slovenia, signed May 2017 and renewed May 2023) and Wuyishan National Scenic Area (China, September 2016) extend program reach beyond Oregon.

The Trust's revenue model is donations-driven: tax-deductible contributions of any amount via PayPal, IRA Required Minimum Distribution charitable contributions, and a $30 one-time Oregon DMV Crater Lake license plate surcharge that funds park programs. It supplements this with in-kind partnership support from sister parks, Friends of Crater Lake (partnering since 1993), and the Crater Lake Natural History Association. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, using content marketing (website, Crater Lake News blog, social media), signature events, and cross-promotion with partner organizations and Oregon tourism authorities. Primary served segments are park visitors (614,712 in 2015 record year), students and educators (including fourth graders via Every Kid Outdoors), researchers and scientists, and Native American communities including the Klamath Tribes with 13,000+ years of ancestral connection to the land.

Name

Crater Lake National Park Trust

Legal name

Crater Lake National Park Trust

Website

https://craterlaketrust.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Crater Lake National Park Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects, promotes, and enhances Crater Lake National Park through donations, research support, and educational programs. It serves park visitors, students, teachers, researchers, and the Klamath Tribes via the Science and Learning Center, license plate program, and international sister park partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Park Conservation Nonprofit

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• National park conservation
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Environmental education
• Research support services
• Cultural heritage programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Crater Lake

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. Donations and Fundraising: The Trust depends on tax-deductible donations to support students, teachers, and visitors. Donations fund tribal programs, science education, and park experiences. Accepts IRA charitable distributions for tax-efficient giving.
2. License Plate Program: Oregon DMV official Crater Lake license plates with a $30 surcharge that supports Park Programs including the Science and Learning Center.
3. Partnership Support: Funding from sister park partners (Triglav covered transportation, lodging, meals; Wuyishan promotes tourism), Friends of Crater Lake, and Crater Lake Natural History Association for trail maintenance and educational programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Crater Lake National Park Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects, promotes, and enhances Crater Lake National Park by raising tax-deductible donations and managing programs supporting science education, research, tribal heritage, and visitor experiences. Its core offerings include the Science and Learning Center, donation programs, license plate sales, Artist in Residence, educational programs for students and teachers, and signature events such as Ride the Rim and Natural History On a High Note.

Product overview

The Crater Lake National Park Trust is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) that supports, promotes, and enhances Crater Lake National Park. The organization does not offer a commercial product or technology platform. Its offerings consist of philanthropic programs including donation facilitation, an Artist in Residence program, educational programs for teachers and students (Classroom at Crater Lake), science and research support through the Science and Learning Center, a license plate program, and various visitor engagement initiatives such as snowshoe walks, ranger-led programs, and Ride the Rim cycling events. The Trust serves as a fundraising and advocacy organization rather than a product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Donation Program Tax-deductible donation program enabling individuals and organizations to support Crater Lake National Park programs including student experiences, teacher training, tribal programs, science education, and visitor experiences. Accepts contributions of any amount via PayPal and IRA Required Minimum Distribution charitable contributions.
• Crater Lake License Plate Program Official Oregon DMV Crater Lake license plate program carrying a $30 one-time surcharge that supports Park Programs including the Science and Learning Center. Customization available for additional DMV charges.
• Science and Learning Center Research facility in two historic park buildings providing offices, library space, and overnight lodging for academic and federal researchers studying Crater Lake's unique ecosystem (bats, bathymetry, aquatic species, ecology).
• Classroom at Crater Lake (Educational Programs) Educational program providing classroom experiences at Crater Lake, including curriculum materials, teacher training, and travel subsidies for K-12 students and teachers, along with Every Kid Outdoors free park entry passes for fourth graders.
• Artist in Residence Program Artist in Residence program celebrating Crater Lake through artistic expression, operated in partnership with Southern Oregon University and Oregon Institute of Technology.
• Ride the Rim Cycling Event Annual signature bicycling event at Crater Lake National Park serving as a community engagement and fundraising opportunity for the Trust and its partners.
• Natural History On a High Note Orchestral performance event held at Crater Lake's crater edge, commissioned by Britt Music & Arts Festival featuring regional choirs and the Steiger Butte Drum troupe.
• Snowshoe With a Ranger Program Ranger-led snowshoe walks at Crater Lake National Park providing winter educational and recreational experiences for visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 614,712 visitors served in 2015 (record year)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Triglav National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2023Sister park agreement renewed May 22, 2023 (Park's 121st birthday) for five-year collaboration. Crater Lake trail crew spent three weeks in Slovenia (May 2024) repairing trails destroyed by 2023 floods. Under international agreement, parks collaborate on projects and exchange staff for special programs.
• Triglav National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017Initial sister park agreement signed in May 2017. Represents the beginning of international collaboration between two national parks committed to protection and preservation.
• Wuyishan National Scenic AreacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2016UNESCO World Heritage Site in China became sister park in September 2016 after nearly 10 years of relationship building. Promotes Crater Lake to Chinese travel audience and encourages cultural and environmental study exchanges. Crater Lake averaged 614,712 visitors (2015) compared to Wuyishan's 10.5 million annual visitors.
• Friends of Crater Lake National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Nonprofit volunteer group partnering since 1993. Members across states volunteer year-round for trail maintenance, native plant care, festivals, Ride the Rim, visitor guidance, and snowshoe tours.
• Crater Lake Natural History AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization established under MOU with NPS to benefit Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument. Mission to inspire public understanding and foster preservation of natural and cultural resources.
• Crater Lake Ski PatrolminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborates with park staff to provide visitor information, maintain winter trails, and assist with Emergency and Search and Rescue incidents.
• Oregon State University Northwestern Bat HubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive research partnership for bat population monitoring and conservation. OSU provides data analysis and some field staff at no cost. Studies white-nose syndrome impacts and environmental changes across the Pacific Northwest.
• USGS (U.S. Geological Survey)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal research partner for bathymetry studies (2000 research boat study) and NABat nationwide bat monitoring program. Provides scientific expertise and data collection capabilities.
• Southern Oregon UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner institution for Artist in Residence program. Students and emerging artists from SOU encouraged to apply for program celebrating Crater Lake through artistic expressions.
• Oregon Institute of TechnologyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner institution for Artist in Residence program alongside Southern Oregon University. Encourages student and emerging artist participation.
• Britt Music & Arts FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned the 'Natural History' musical composition by Michael Gordon performed July 29-30, 2016 at crater's edge featuring Britt Orchestra, regional choir, Steiger Butte Drum troupe, and SOU students.
• Klamath TribescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner13,000+ year connection to the Klamath basin. Includes Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin band of Snake. Considered Crater Lake sacred (gii-was). Trust supports tribal programs at the park.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Yellowstone Forever: Official nonprofit partner for Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park. Directly comparable as the dedicated 501(c)(3) supporting another flagship U.S. national park through fundraising, education, and research programs.
• Yosemite Conservancy: 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to Yosemite National Park, funding preservation, education, and research. Directly comparable in mission, funding model, and partnership with NPS for a high-profile Western U.S. park.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy: Official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park supporting education, research, and visitor experience. Comparable in structure, mission, and donor-supported funding model for an iconic U.S. national park.
• Glacier National Park Conservancy: Nonprofit partner for Glacier National Park funding education, research, and preservation. Directly comparable as a park-specific 501(c)(3) operating with NPS on conservation programs.
• Mount Rainier National Park Conservancy: Official nonprofit partner of Mount Rainier National Park supporting science, education, and stewardship. Comparable as a dedicated 501(c)(3) trust for a single iconic Pacific Northwest U.S. national park.
• Friends of the Smokies: Nonprofit raising funds for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited U.S. national park. Comparable as a park-specific friends group supporting NPS programs, education, and trail maintenance through donations.
• Zion Forever Project: Official nonprofit partner of Zion National Park funding conservation, education, and recreation. Directly comparable in structure, mission, and Western U.S. national park fundraising model.
• National Park Trust: Independent nonprofit focused on preserving national parklands through land acquisition and conservation. Comparable as a national-park-focused nonprofit operating in the same environmental/conservation advocacy space.
• Crater Lake Natural History Association: Partner nonprofit organization supporting Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument through educational materials and visitor programs. Directly comparable as a sister nonprofit working with NPS at the same park.

Broad incumbents

• National Park Foundation: Official national charitable partner of the National Park Service, supporting all national parks. Crater Lake Trust itself originated as a committee of this foundation before gaining independence in 2006, making it the parent/incumbent peer organization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/craterlaketrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crater-lake-national-park-trust

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Crater Lake National Park Trust