Anza-Borrego Foundation

What Anza-Borrego Foundation does

Anza-Borrego Foundation (ABF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1967 and headquartered in Borrego Springs, California, operating as the official cooperating association of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park under California State Parks. Its mission is to protect and preserve the natural landscapes, wildlife habitat, and cultural heritage of the 650,000-acre park and surrounding region. The foundation delivers this mandate through four functional pillars: education, land conservation, research, and retail. ABF's technology footprint is minimal by design; the organization is not a technology company, and its primary digital asset is a 6,000+ specimen digitized herbarium collection contributed to a public World Online Database.

The foundation's product portfolio centers on guided interpretive experiences rather than software or hardware. Core offerings include the Certified California Naturalist course ($450, nine weeks, in partnership with UC Environmental Stewards), the "Anza-Borrego: In Focus" webinar and field-trip series, night-sky and astrophotography programs tied to the park's International Dark Sky Park designation, photography workshops and an annual photo contest, multi-day family camping, and private guided naturalist tours. Adjacent retail operations comprise two physical stores (Visitor Center at 200 Palm Canyon Dr. and State Park Store at 587 Palm Canyon Dr. #110) plus a US-shipping e-commerce storefront selling maps, field guides, apparel, and nature-themed merchandise. Advocacy campaigns such as the Park Powerline Threat and alignment with the 30×30 conservation framework extend ABF's role into land-use policy.

ABF monetizes through a diversified nonprofit revenue model. Primary streams are (1) annual memberships starting at $35, which confer a 15% retail and program discount and household-level benefits, (2) tax-deductible donations including recurring gifts, vehicle donations, and the Legacy Society planned-giving program, (3) tiered program and event fees (e.g., $5 student webinars, $15 non-member webinars, $25-$55 field trips, $450 naturalist course, $35 Pints 4 The Park fundraiser), and (4) retail sales of park-themed merchandise. The customer base is highly fragmented: park visitors, members, donors, educators, students, and photographers in the San Diego County / Borrego Springs region. ABF is governed by a Board of Trustees led by President Bill McDonald and operated by an executive team headed by Executive Director Bri Fordem, with a 1-10 employee staff and extensive volunteer and Borrego Partners local-business support.

Name

Anza-Borrego Foundation

Legal name

Anza-Borrego Foundation

Website

https://theabf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Anza-Borrego Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1967 and the official cooperating association of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California, delivering education, land conservation, research support, and retail operations for the 650,000-acre park and its visitors, members, and donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Conservation nonprofit services
• Environmental education programs
• Land conservation stewardship
• Nature-based guided tours
• Park retail merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Borrego Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees starting at $35 per year, providing discounts on programs and retail purchases, access to member-exclusive events, and monthly newsletters.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, including one-time donations, recurring donations, vehicle donations, and legacy/planned gifts through the Legacy Society.
3. Program and Event Fees: Registration fees for educational programs including guided hikes, workshops, webinars, photography retreats, family camping, and the California Naturalist certification course.
4. Retail Sales: Sale of park-themed merchandise including maps, field guides, apparel, gifts, and educational materials through two physical stores and an online store. Members receive 15% discount.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Anza-Borrego Foundation is the official nonprofit cooperating association of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, selling memberships, retail merchandise, and ticketed educational experiences, and raising charitable donations to fund land conservation, research, and outdoor programming. The foundation delivers guided hikes, naturalist-led tours, astronomy programs, photography workshops, family camping, the certified California Naturalist course, and teacher trainings, supported by two physical park stores and an online store.

Product overview

Anza-Borrego Foundation operates as a nonprofit partner to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering a portfolio of educational programs, retail operations, membership services, and public events. The organization's offerings center on guided interpretive experiences (hikes, driving tours, star programs, photography workshops), formal education (Certified California Naturalist course, teacher symposiums, field trips), retail (two physical stores and online shop), and fundraising events. These offerings work together to fulfill the foundation's mission of connecting people to the park while funding land conservation and education initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Education Programs
• Certified California Naturalist Course
• Desert Naturalist Tours
• Anza-Borrego: In Focus Webinar and Field Trip Series
• Pints 4 The Park
• ABF State Park Stores (Retail)
• Night Sky Programs
• Photography Programs
• Family Camping Programs
• Outdoors for All Initiative
• Annual Membership

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

One partnership is on record.

• California State ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABF is the official nonprofit partner (cooperating association) of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The organization supports the State Park's mission through education programs that expand visitor reach, land conservation efforts to expand park boundaries, and retail operations that serve as interpretive centers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Outdoor Afro: Nonprofit expanding Black participation in outdoor recreation; overlaps with ABF's 'Outdoors for All' initiative in mission, donor base, and youth/family programming.
• NatureBridge: Environmental education nonprofit operating multi-day science programs in national parks; competes for school and youth program funding in California, similar to ABF's field-trip and California Naturalist offerings.

Others

• REI Cooperative Actions Fund: REI's philanthropic arm funds outdoor equity, conservation, and education nonprofits; relevant as a potential grantmaker and ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Friends of the Inyo: Eastern Sierra / desert conservation nonprofit supporting public lands through stewardship, education, and advocacy; comparable in mission focus on California desert landscapes and community-led conservation engagement.
• Yosemite Conservancy: Official cooperating association supporting Yosemite National Park; runs education programs, retail, grants, and membership-based fundraising for a single large park — directly comparable mission and revenue model to ABF.
• Death Valley Conservancy: Cooperating nonprofit for Death Valley National Park; provides education, volunteer, and fundraising support for a single large California desert park — directly comparable to ABF's structure.
• Sequoia Parks Conservancy: Cooperating association for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; delivers education programs, retail stores, guided experiences, and donor-supported conservation — directly analogous to ABF's role with Anza-Borrego.
• Joshua Tree National Park Association: Nonprofit cooperating association for Joshua Tree National Park (a California desert park); operates education, retail, and membership programs aimed at a similar Southern California desert visitor base.

Broad incumbents

• San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat): Regional natural history museum serving San Diego County; provides overlapping environmental education, exhibits, and programming aimed at the same Anza-Borrego visitor and donor base.
• California State Parks Foundation: Statewide nonprofit advocating for and funding California's entire state park system; overlaps with ABF's conservation and advocacy mission but operates at a portfolio level rather than a single park.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfEGys6kVSUAy6hr0YWiDmQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/AnzaBorregoFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/anzaborrego
• Xx.com/Anza_Borrego
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/anza-borrego-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 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 Anza-Borrego Foundation