What American Eagle Foundation does

The American Eagle Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1985 and headquartered on a 57-acre campus in Kodak, Tennessee, near Pigeon Forge. Its mission is the conservation and public education of Bald Eagles and other North American birds of prey, operated through a USDA-licensed collection of more than 70 non-releasable raptors used in on-site programming and live bird shows.

Its core products are visitor experiences and educational content. The foundation runs guided ($25) and self-guided ($20) tours at its raptor center, the premium Talons & Tidbits behind-the-scenes experience ($150), the Wings of America flying bird show, the Raptor Roost Playscape, in-person and virtual field trips for schools, merchandise, and live Eagle Cam streams. A multi-tier Flock Membership program ($75-$190/year) provides recurring support. Conservation output is substantive: between 1992 and 2020, the foundation released 182 Bald Eaglets and 11 Golden Eaglets from its breeding programs, contributes to Bald Eagle research grants (approximately $1 million over the past decade), and rehabilitates 10-50 injured raptors annually.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: ticket and experience admissions from on-site visitation, recurring memberships, individual donations amplified through a social media presence generating 40 million annual impressions (described as the largest animal nonprofit on TikTok), and tourism channel flow provided by a long-running partnership with Dollywood dating to 1991. American Eagle exhibits and the Southern Pride® show operate inside the Dollywood theme park, effectively serving as a feeder into the foundation's off-site raptor center. The foundation employs 11-50 staff and is led by CEO Lori M. Moore following a 2026 leadership transition.

Name

American Eagle Foundation

Legal name

American Eagle Foundation

Website

https://eagles.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The American Eagle Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Kodak, Tennessee that conserves and educates the public about Bald Eagles and raptors through a 57-acre raptor center, live bird shows, field trips, and a long-running partnership with Dollywood.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation and Raptor Education Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release Centers (Public Viewing/Education) (THAAAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAA), Wildlife Viewing & Birdwatching Tours (THAAAEAB), Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation
• Raptor rehabilitation
• Birds of prey education
• Nonprofit conservation
• Nature education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Pigeon Forge

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals worldwide. AEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 58-1652023) that operates entirely off donations, sponsorships, and merchandise sales without state or federal funding.
2. Sponsorships: Support from corporate sponsors including Dollywood and other organizations that provide financial backing for programs and facilities.
3. Tours and Experiences: Revenue from guided tours, self-guided tours, Talons & Tidbits bird feeding experiences, and special programs at AEF headquarters and Dollywood.
4. Flock Memberships: Annual membership program offering free general admission, merchandise discounts, newsletter subscriptions, and exclusive access to events. Individual and family tier options available.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sales of eagle-themed merchandise, educational materials, and souvenirs through the gift shop with proceeds supporting bird care.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

American Eagle Foundation operates a 57-acre raptor conservation and education facility in Kodak, Tennessee, delivering in-person tours, interactive bird feeding experiences, the Wings of America free-flight show at Dollywood, K-12 field trips and virtual field trips, an annual membership program, and live 24/7 nest cams. The organization also runs captive eagle breeding and hacking releases, raptor rehabilitation in partnership with the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, and conservation grant and certification programs funded entirely by donations, sponsorships, memberships, tour fees, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

American Eagle Foundation operates as a non-profit conservation organization offering a portfolio of educational and experiential products centered on birds of prey. The core offerings include guided and self-guided tours of their 57-acre Kodak, TN headquarters featuring the nation's largest aviaries, the Talons & Tidbits interactive feeding experience, and Flock Memberships for recurring visitors. At Dollywood, the Wings of America free-flight bird show and Eagle Mountain Sanctuary provide additional visitor experiences. Educational products include Field Trips (K-12 on-site programs), Virtual Field Trips (remote learning via Zoom/Teams), and live Eagle Cams (24/7 nest monitoring). Conservation programs include the Reel Conservation Certification for fishing habitats, Bald Eagle Research Grants, and Nest Box Plans for homeowners. The organization is currently expanding via Project Eagle, a new facility development adding classrooms, a rehabilitation center, and interactive exhibits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project Eagle: Major facility expansion initiative for new 57-acre headquarters in Kodak, TN featuring aviaries, classrooms, rehabilitation center, and conservation gardens.
• Reel Conservation Certification
• Bald Eagle Research Grant

Products and services

• Guided Tours Personalized guided walking tours of the 57-acre Kodak, TN headquarters led by knowledgeable staff, offering up-close encounters with over 40 resident raptors including eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, and vultures. Available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with 24-hour advance notice. Priced at $25 Adult, $20 Senior (60+), $15 Student (6-18), and free for children 5 and under.
• Self-Guided Tours Independent exploration of the 57-acre facility including the Birds of Prey Museum, aviary exhibits, Raptor Roost playground, and conservation gardens. No reservation required. Priced at $20 Adult, $15 Senior, $10 Student, free for children 5 and under.
• Talons & Tidbits Bird Feeding Experience One-of-a-kind interactive bird feeding experience where guests safely feed birds of prey using tongs while knowledgeable handlers share insights about care and behaviors. Limited to 4 people per session at $150 per session. Ages 5 and up.
• Flock Memberships

Quantifiable outcome

• 182 Bald Eaglets and 11 Golden Eaglets successfully released into the wild (1992-2020)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DollywoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term strategic partnership with Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, TN. AEF operates Eagle Mountain Sanctuary at Dollywood featuring the world's largest collection of non-releasable Bald Eagles, and presents the Wings of America birds of prey show in an open-air theater. AEF staff provides daily care for sanctuary eagles. Partnership began in 1991 and has been instrumental in AEF's growth and public visibility.
• Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partnership dating to the 1970s-1980s when Bob Hatcher coordinated bald eagle hacking/release efforts for TWRA. AEF's breeding and release program worked closely with TWRA to restore bald eagles in Tennessee, resulting in release of 284 eagles over 22 years under Hatcher's coordination.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partnership for eagle rehabilitation, licensing, and conservation programs. USFWS provided licensing for eagle rehabilitation and breeding programs, and AEF participated in the Bald Eagle Grant Advisory Team funded by Bald Eagle Commemorative Coin sales.
• Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the association representing North American fish and wildlife agencies, supporting coordinated conservation efforts for eagles and birds of prey.
• Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAEF is an approved CFC charity partner (#11270), allowing federal employees to make tax-deductible pledges through the workplace giving campaign.
• The Home Depot of SeviervilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor providing 30 owl nest box kits for families to build and take home during International Owl Awareness Day events, supporting owl conservation efforts.
• University of Tennessee College of Veterinary MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with UT College of Veterinary Medicine for raptor rehabilitation. UT provides vital care for birds of prey with life-threatening injuries, then transfers them to AEF for daily care and rehabilitation.
• Reel Conservation Program PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with fishing spots, marinas, retailers, parks, and individual anglers committed to responsible fishing practices and ecosystem conservation through the Reel Conservation Certification program.
• Gachowk Community Vulture RestaurantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAEF annually supports Gachowk community vulture restaurants providing poison-free consistent food sources for vultures as part of Asian Vulture Crisis initiatives.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Tennessee Aquarium: Chattanooga-based public aquarium whose board member (Lindsay Rogers) previously served as Animal Encounter Specialist; competes for the same regional family visitor and education donor pool in Tennessee.
• Zoo Knoxville: Regional zoo located near AEF's Tennessee footprint, offering visitor experiences, education programs, and animal ambassador programming that overlaps with AEF's educational field trip and family visitor segments.

Broad incumbents

• National Audubon Society: Largest U.S. bird conservation organization with national donor base, sanctuaries, and education programs; competes for bird-focused donor dollars but at much larger scale and broader species scope than AEF.

Direct peers

• American Bald Eagle Foundation: Alaska-based nonprofit dedicated to bald eagle conservation, raptor education, and rehabilitation with visitor exhibits; AEF's Ryn Cobb previously interned there, underscoring direct overlap in mission, species focus, and visitor education model.
• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: Pennsylvania-based raptor conservation nonprofit with a long-running migration count and raptor education mission; overlaps with AEF on raptor-focused conservation, public viewing, and citizen science.
• The Raptor Trust: New Jersey-based raptor rehabilitation and education center with public visitation and trained raptor programs; comparable nonprofit model centered on injured raptor care and visitor education.
• World Bird Sanctuary: Missouri-based raptor conservation and education organization operating public exhibits, breeding programs, and live raptor shows; directly comparable visitor-facing raptor education and rehabilitation business model.
• Carolina Raptor Center: Nonprofit raptor rehabilitation, conservation, and education center in Charlotte, NC operating public visitor trails and raptor programs; comparable scope in raptor care, rehabilitation intake, and K-12 field trip offerings.

Emerging players

• International Crane Foundation: Global bird conservation nonprofit focused on crane species, with visitor centers, captive breeding, and education; thematic peer in specialized bird conservation, captive breeding/release programs, and donor-driven nonprofit model.

Others

• Dollywood (Herschend Family Entertainment): Strategic commercial partner and primary in-person distribution channel for AEF; multiple board members have Dollywood/Herschend ties and the relationship is core to AEF's visitor economics and brand visibility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWl9BI3rn0-YVCuWS_g2FUw
• TikToktiktok.com/@aefeagles
• Xx.com/aefeagles
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanEagleFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/american-eagle-foundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 American Eagle Foundation