Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

What Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park does

Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (FHVNP) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 and headquartered in Volcano, Hawaii. It serves as the Official Philanthropic Fundraising Partner to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, supporting the National Park Service in the protection, preservation, and interpretation of the park's natural and cultural resources across 354,461 acres encompassing Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, seven ecological zones, and habitat for 47 endangered species. The organization serves individual and family members, business members, donors, park visitors, youth (ages 18-30) and veterans in rural East Hawai'i, school and corporate groups, and broader conservation philanthropy audiences.

FHVNP's product portfolio includes membership subscriptions, tax-deductible donations directed to multiple funds (General Fund, Forest Restoration, Nēnē Recovery, Youth Ranger Stipend, Guardians of the Trails, Emergency Fund, and the newer Guardians of the Forest), logo merchandise via an online e-commerce shop, Hawai'i specialty license plates through the DMV, and guided private tours and monthly field seminars delivered through the Hawai'i Volcanoes Institute. Core programmatic offerings include the Guardians of the Trails service corps (a 50-week, six-person full-time paid program for local youth ages 18-30 and veterans up to age 35), the Youth Ranger Internship Program (37 graduates in 2023 from Ka'u and Puna Districts), endangered species protection focused on the nēnē (Hawaiian goose, now exceeding 200 wild individuals since 1974 reintroduction), and cultural programming including the annual Cultural Festival, After Dark In The Park, Artist in Residence, and Holidays at Kahuku events.

The organization operates on a diversified nonprofit revenue model combining individual donations, recurring memberships (individual, family, business tiers), merchandise sales, professional services (tours and seminars), specialty license plate royalties, and corporate matching gift programs with partners including Foodland (Give Aloha), Subaru Hawaii (Share the Love / Earth Promises), and Target Circle. Its go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, relying on organic social media (Facebook, Instagram), a quarterly email newsletter, blog content tied to ongoing Kīlauea eruption episodes, and recurring community events. Technology infrastructure is limited to a Squarespace-based website with embedded USGS webcam feeds and standard e-commerce, donation, and membership management capabilities — no proprietary technology, AI/ML capabilities, mobile applications, or API integrations are present.

Name

Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Legal name

Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Website

https://fhvnp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that serves as the Official Philanthropic Fundraising Partner to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, generating revenue through memberships, donations, merchandise, tours, and corporate matching to fund conservation, youth programs, and cultural programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAC

Land Trusts & Protected Areas

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

SECONDARYTHAJAIAI

Cave, Geology & Volcanic Experiences

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Nature & Wildlife Experiences (National Parks, Wildlife Encounters, Eco-tours)

SECONDARYBPAGAHAG

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

Keywords

• National park philanthropy
• Conservation fundraising
• Youth conservation corps
• Guided park tours
• Endangered species protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Volcano

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting park preservation, conservation, youth programs, and cultural initiatives. Donors can give to specific funds (General Fund, Forest Restoration, Youth Ranger Stipend, Guardians of the Trails, Emergency Fund, etc.) or make custom donations.
2. Memberships: Individual, family, and business memberships providing exclusive benefits including discounts on field seminars and park gift shops. Membership fees support the organization's mission.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of FHVNP logo apparel and accessories through the online shop. All proceeds directly support Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
4. Guided Tours and Field Seminars: Private tours and field seminars provided by the Hawai'i Volcanoes Institute, offering educational experiences in and around the park for visitors, school, and corporate groups.
5. Specialty License Plates: Hawai'i Volcanoes specialty license plates available through the DMV, with proceeds supporting the park.
6. Corporate Matching Programs: Participation in corporate giving programs such as Foodland's Give Aloha matching gifts program, where donations are matched by the corporation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is the official philanthropic fundraising partner to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, supporting the National Park Service in the protection, preservation, and interpretation of the park's natural and cultural resources. The organization sells memberships, accepts tax-deductible donations, runs the Guardians of the Trails youth conservation service corps and Youth Ranger Internship, operates private guided tours and field seminars through the Hawai'i Volcanoes Institute, protects endangered species, and delivers cultural programming including the annual Cultural Festival, After Dark In The Park, and Artist in Residence.

Product overview

Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park operates as a non-profit organization with a portfolio of programs focused on park preservation, education, and community engagement. The organization offers membership subscriptions, donation programs, and merchandise sales as its primary fundraising mechanisms. Its programmatic offerings include the Guardians of the Trails youth conservation corps, Youth Ranger Internship, endangered species protection, guided tours and field seminars, cultural programs, and volunteer opportunities. The portfolio is unified around the mission of supporting the National Park Service in protecting and interpreting the park's natural and cultural resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Guardians of the Trails: A flagship year-round service corps program designed to address critical needs within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park while inspiring young adults to pursue meaningful careers in conservation.
• Youth Ranger Internship Program
• Hawai'i Volcanoes Institute

Products and services

• Membership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 wild nēnē (Hawaiian goose) in the park since reintroduction in 1974
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FoodlandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2025Annual Give Aloha matching gifts program where Foodland matches a portion of customer donations to FHVNP. Customers can donate at checkout by telling the cashier or using their Maika'i card, with donations up to $249 per transaction.
• Friends of Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical ParkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2025FHVNP CEO Elizabeth Fien serves as President & CEO of both organizations. The organizations partner on cultural programming including collaboration with Chief of War drama series.
• Target CircleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Guest-directed giving program where supporters voted for FHVNP, resulting in a $1,724.18 donation from Target Circle program.
• Subaru HawaiiminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2020Corporate partnership through Subaru Hawaii's Share the Love Event. For every new Subaru sold between November-December 2020, customers could designate $250 to FHVNP. Subaru Hawaii donated $5,000 to FHVNP from this campaign.
• Subaru HawaiiminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2020Subaru Hawaii included FHVNP in their Subaru Hawaii Loves Their Earth Promises campaign, donating $250 per vehicle sold to participating charities including Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
• National Geographic SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Co-host of the 2015 BioBlitz at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, bringing together scientists, students, and public to document biodiversity.
• National Park Service (NPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Philanthropic Fundraising Partner to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. FHVNP supports the National Park Service in protection, preservation, and interpretation of the Park's natural and cultural resources. The partnership enables projects beyond what government funding can provide, supporting infrastructure, equipment, and park operations during high visitation periods.
• National Park FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFHVNP participates in the National Park Foundation's Strong Parks, Strong Communities program, which cultivates and expands national park philanthropy. Under this program, FHVNP received support to create a new friends group for Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park.
• Hawai'i Pacific Parks AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCo-sponsor of cultural programs including the annual Cultural Festival. HPPA sells merchandise from the park store.
• National Parks Arts FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for artist residencies at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The foundation placed Delbert Anderson Quartet as artist in residence, culminating in a performance at the Kahuku Unit.
• Kīlauea Military CampminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPark partner providing accommodations and services within the park boundaries.
• Volcano Art CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPark partner organization providing arts programming and cultural experiences.
• Volcano HouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPark partner providing lodging and hospitality services within the park.
• The Cooper CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPark partner organization supporting community programs.
• The Volcano School of Arts & SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPark partner school providing educational programs.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/fhvnp
• Instagraminstagram.com/friendsofhawaiivnp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friends-of-hawaii-volcanoes-national-park

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 Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park