PATH Foundation
PATH Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1991 that has built 342+ miles of greenway trails across Georgia and the Southeast by converting abandoned railroad corridors, funded by philanthropic donations and public-sector partnerships with municipalities and corporate foundations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What PATH Foundation does
PATH Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1991 and headquartered at 1601 West Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia. The organization converts abandoned railroad corridors into multi-use greenway trails for pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, and commuters. Across 35 years of operation, PATH has built 342+ miles of trail infrastructure across Georgia and the Southeast, including the Silver Comet Trail (61.7 miles in Georgia, extending to 94 miles when coupled with Alabama's Chief Ladiga Trail), South River Trail, Spanish Moss Trail in Beaufort, South Carolina, and segments of the Atlanta BeltLine. Co-founder Ed McBrayer led the organization from its founding until his death in 2026; current Executive Director is Greta deMayo.
PATH operates an asset-light model focused on planning studies, capital funding coordination, and partnership management rather than direct construction or maintenance; municipal parks departments handle ongoing trail upkeep. The organization layers a digital surface on top of the physical network, including the PATH mobile app for trail navigation and maps, interactive trail maps on the website, curated trail experiences that highlight nearby restaurants, breweries, and attractions, and tri-annual newsletters. A branded merchandise storefront operates via SpreadShop. The core customer base spans four distinct constituencies: general public trail users, municipal and county government partners (City of Atlanta, Cobb County, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Newnan, DeKalb County, Henry County), educational institutions (Emory University), and donors ranging from individual contributors to corporate and family foundations.
Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic giving and capital campaigns rather than commercial sales. PATH's 2023 Capital Campaign, 'Our PATH Forward...Continuing the Journey,' targets $20.6 million in philanthropic investment paired with $88.8 million in public support, totaling over $106 million in trail projects. Major funders include the James M. Cox Foundation ($30 million for the Northwest BeltLine), Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and Georgia Power Foundation. The organization also runs an Annual Fund with tiered giving levels ranging from $25 memorial/honor donations and $100 'Gift of Trail' naming gifts up to $10,000+ Legacy Partner contributions for the 2025-2026 cycle. Annual financial results are not publicly disclosed.
PATH Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PATH Foundation
- Legal name
- PATH Foundation
- Website
- https://pathfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- PATH Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1991 that has built 342+ miles of greenway trails across Georgia and the Southeast by converting abandoned railroad corridors, funded by philanthropic donations and public-sector partnerships with municipalities and corporate foundations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PATH Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Greenway Trail Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (23731), Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (237310), Landscaping Services (561730)
- SIC
- Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Active Transportation & Micromobility Infrastructure (Bike/Ped Networks, Shared Mobility Programs) (BPAIALAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB), Walkway & Pathway Hardscaping (HSAIACAB)
Keywords
Where PATH Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
PATH Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donations are tax-deductible and support trail building and design. The organization runs an Annual Fund campaign and capital campaigns.
- Capital Campaigns: The 2023 Capital Campaign 'Our PATH Forward…Continuing the Journey' aims to raise $20.6 million in philanthropic investment paired with $88.8 million in public support for over $106 million in new trail projects.
- Foundation Grants: Major grants from foundations including James M. Cox Foundation ($30 million), Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and other corporate foundations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Gift of Trail - $100 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | In Honor/Memory Of Donation - Starting at $25 |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Fund - Legacy Partner Level |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Fund - PATH Partner Level |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
PATH Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PATH Foundation builds and maintains a 342+ mile network of multi-use greenway trails throughout Georgia and the Southeast, converting abandoned railroad corridors into paved paths for walking, cycling, jogging, and commuting. The organization partners with municipalities, counties, and state agencies to plan, fund, and construct trails, supported by donations, foundation grants, and public funding.
Product overview
PATH Foundation offers a unified portfolio centered on greenway trail development and management. The core offering is the PATH Trail Network, comprising 342+ miles of multi-use trails across Georgia and beyond. Supporting services include the PATH App for mobile navigation, interactive trail maps, curated trail experiences highlighting nearby attractions, and PATH Newsletters. The organization also manages specific named trails including the Silver Comet Trail (61.7 miles), Spanish Moss Trail (10.1 miles), South River Trail, and the Westside BeltLine Connector. Donation programs and merchandise sales support the organization's mission.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PATH Trail Network A 342+ mile system of multi-use greenway trails throughout Georgia and the Southeast, converting abandoned railroad corridors into paved paths for pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, and commuters. Free and publicly accessible.
- Silver Comet Trail A 61.7-mile rails-to-trails paved greenway in Georgia, extending to 94 miles when coupled with the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama, the longest continuous paved trail in the United States.
- South River Trail Greenway trail paralleling the South River, consisting of two disconnected segments totaling approximately 10 miles with scenic river views.
- Spanish Moss Trail A 10.1-mile rails-to-trails conversion in Beaufort, South Carolina featuring tidal creek crossings, a restored trestle, and passage through a historic freight depot.
- Westside BeltLine Connector A three-mile trail connecting downtown Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park to the BeltLine, including a three-fourth-mile spur, opened in partnership with Atlanta BeltLine Inc., Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, and the City of Atlanta Parks Department.
- PATH400 Newest Segment Latest segment of the PATH400 greenway trail in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, continuing the multi-phase PATH400 trail development along the GA 400 corridor.
- PATH App A mobile application that allows users to access trail information, maps, and navigate the PATH trail network across Georgia and the Southeast.
- Curated Trail Experiences Featured trail experiences and suggested routes that highlight specific attractions, restaurants, breweries, markets, and points of interest along various PATH trails, connecting trail users to local businesses.
- Interactive Trail Maps Interactive and printable trail maps available for each PATH trail, detailing the trail as well as surrounding areas and points of interest.
- Donation Programs 501(c)(3) charitable donation programs including annual fund contributions (PATH Partner $5,000-$9,999, Legacy Partner $10,000+), Gift of Trail mile sponsorships ($100 per mile), In Honor/Memory donations (starting at $25), and stock donations supporting trail construction and maintenance.
Quantifiable outcome
- 35 years of operation with 342+ miles of trails completed
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use PATH Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PATH Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
PATH Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Atlanta BeltLine Inc.corePrimary strategic partner for Atlanta BeltLine trail development. PATH manages planning studies and construction for BeltLine trails. Partnership includes $350 million Special Service District funding allocation for Northwest BeltLine trails.
- Atlanta BeltLine PartnershipcoreNon-profit partner organization supporting BeltLine development alongside Atlanta BeltLine Inc. and PATH Foundation for BeltLine trail projects.
- City of AtlantacorePrimary municipal partner for trail development within Atlanta city limits. Provides public funding and coordinates with Parks Department for trail maintenance.
- City of Sandy SpringscorePartner on Sandy Springs Trails Master Plan including Morgan Falls trail and PATH400 extension along GA 400.
- City of DecaturcorePartner for Decatur PATH trail connections and East Decatur Greenway development.
- City of NewnancorePartner for Newnan LINC trail system including 278-foot pedestrian bridge over I-85 and connections to downtown Newnan.
- Cobb County DOTcorePartner for Silver Comet Trail maintenance and development within Cobb County. Cobb County Government maintains the trail through their Parks Department.
- Emory UniversitycorePATH trail extension on Emory campus running from North Decatur Road along Haygood Drive to Clifton Road, connecting to Westminster Way.
- DeKalb CountycorePartner for South Peachtree Creek Trail Study and trail connections including North DeKalb Mall connection. DeKalb County allocated $500,000 for trail extension.
- Georgia Department of TransportationcoreGDOT partnership for Silver Comet Trail extension approval and PATH400 final field plan reviews. Silver Comet extension adds 2.3 miles inside I-285.
- Georgia State ParkscorePartnership with Department of Natural Resources/Georgia State Parks for Panola Mountain Greenway connecting to Panola Mountain State Park.
- Livable BuckheadcorePartnership for PATH400 trail development in Buckhead area. Liveable Buckhead Executive Director Denise Starling involved in PATH400 Trail Tours.
- Henry CountycorePartnership for Panola Mountain Greenway bridge connection over Highway 155 (Snapfinger Road), connecting Arabia Mountain Heritage Area to Henry County.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PATH Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy: Largest environmental nonprofit globally, operating parks and protected areas with trails. Compares as a much larger incumbent in conservation-focused recreation infrastructure with similar donor-driven model.
- The Conservation Fund: National nonprofit focused on land and water conservation with adjacent active recreation infrastructure. Larger scale and broader conservation mandate, but uses similar public-private funding partnerships for green infrastructure.
- National Recreation and Park Association: National nonprofit advancing park and recreation development. Operates adjacent space to PATH's mission and engages similar municipal partners across the country.
Emerging players
- PeopleForBikes: National cycling advocacy and infrastructure nonprofit focused on building bike-friendly communities. Direct overlap with PATH's mission of expanding cycling and active transportation infrastructure.
Direct peers
- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: National nonprofit dedicated to converting abandoned railroad corridors into trails - exactly the founding mission of PATH Foundation. Directly comparable operating model, funding structure, and conversion methodology.
- Atlanta BeltLine Inc. Public benefit corporation managing the Atlanta BeltLine trail and transit corridor. Direct strategic partner of PATH Foundation on BeltLine trail construction, operating in the same metro with overlapping mission of active transportation and greenspace development.
- Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates parks and protects land for public use, including trail development. Operates with comparable municipal partnership model and philanthropic funding approach for community green infrastructure.
- East Coast Greenway Alliance: Nonprofit building a continuous multi-use trail from Maine to Florida. Comparable greenway development mission, donor-supported funding model, and focus on regional active transportation networks.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PATH Foundation social profiles
Digital presencePATH Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PATH Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
PATH Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PATH Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PATH Foundation
What does PATH Foundation do?
PATH Foundation builds and maintains a 342+ mile network of multi-use greenway trails throughout Georgia and the Southeast, converting abandoned railroad corridors into paved paths for walking, cycling, jogging, and commuting. The organization partners with municipalities, counties, and state agencies to plan, fund, and construct trails, supported by donations, foundation grants, and public funding.
Is PATH Foundation a public or private company?
PATH Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was PATH Foundation founded?
PATH Foundation was founded in 1991. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is PATH Foundation based?
PATH Foundation is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does PATH Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are capital Campaigns and foundation Grants.
Who are PATH Foundation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Nature Conservancy, The Conservation Fund and National Recreation and Park Association. PeopleForBikes is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Atlanta BeltLine Inc., Trust for Public Land and East Coast Greenway Alliance.
Does PATH Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for PATH Foundation.
What industry is PATH Foundation in?
PATH Foundation's product category is Greenway Trail Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIALAI, Active Transportation & Micromobility Infrastructure (Bike/Ped Networks, Shared Mobility Programs), with a secondary code of BPAGAKAB, Community Foundations. Its NAICS code is 23731 and its SIC code is 4100.