PATH Foundation

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.

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

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

• Greenway trail development
• Rails-to-trails conversion
• Trail infrastructure
• Nonprofit philanthropy
• Recreational trail networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Atlanta BeltLine Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary 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 PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit partner organization supporting BeltLine development alongside Atlanta BeltLine Inc. and PATH Foundation for BeltLine trail projects.
• City of AtlantacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary municipal partner for trail development within Atlanta city limits. Provides public funding and coordinates with Parks Department for trail maintenance.
• City of Sandy SpringscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Sandy Springs Trails Master Plan including Morgan Falls trail and PATH400 extension along GA 400.
• City of DecaturcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Decatur PATH trail connections and East Decatur Greenway development.
• City of NewnancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Newnan LINC trail system including 278-foot pedestrian bridge over I-85 and connections to downtown Newnan.
• Cobb County DOTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Silver Comet Trail maintenance and development within Cobb County. Cobb County Government maintains the trail through their Parks Department.
• Emory UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPATH trail extension on Emory campus running from North Decatur Road along Haygood Drive to Clifton Road, connecting to Westminster Way.
• DeKalb CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner 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 TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDOT 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 ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Department of Natural Resources/Georgia State Parks for Panola Mountain Greenway connecting to Panola Mountain State Park.
• Livable BuckheadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for PATH400 trail development in Buckhead area. Liveable Buckhead Executive Director Denise Starling involved in PATH400 Trail Tours.
• Henry CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership 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

Broad 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

• Xx.com/pathfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/pathfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pathfoundationorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 PATH Foundation