What Parks California CA does

Parks California is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation (501(c)(3), EIN 83-1523594) and the official statutory partner of California State Parks, a role created by California Senate Bill 1111 (2016) and recommended by the 2015 Parks Forward Commission. The organization was incorporated in 2018 and is headquartered in Sacramento with 23 staff members. Its mission is to expand funding, programs, amenities, and access across California's 280 state parks, which together span 1.6 million acres. Parks California addresses chronic underfunding and access barriers by channeling philanthropic, corporate, and grant dollars into programs that benefit underserved communities, Native American tribes, youth, and aspiring park professionals.

The organization's product portfolio consists primarily of competitive grant programs and digital initiatives rather than commercial products. Core grant programs include Route to Parks (transportation access; 85+ organizations supported, 20,000+ people reached since 2020), Arts in California Parks (co-administered with California State Parks and the California Arts Council), Career Pathways (workforce development for underrepresented communities), and the Adventure Pass (free entry for fourth graders and families to 54 state parks). Digital products include the PORTS / passPORTS K-12 virtual learning programs (in partnership with Computer Using Educators), the Virtual Adventurer mobile app (built with Timelooper), and the Visitor Use Management Toolkit (developed with Oregon State University). Resource Stewardship is positioned as a cross-cutting initiative covering ecological restoration, with the Redwoods Rising economic analysis (with BMO Climate Institute) projecting $140M+ in annual regional economic benefit and 215+ jobs per year over 2026-2030 in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.

Parks California's revenue model is purely philanthropic and nonprofit in nature, with four documented streams: philanthropic donations and fundraising, corporate partnerships and sponsorships (including Premier-tier partners BMO and PG&E Foundation, plus REI, Northrop Grumman Foundation, SDGE, and others), grant administration and management, and planned giving/estate gifts. The organization accepts IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, donor-advised fund grants, and charitable gift annuities via the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Go-to-market is community-led: programs are delivered through California State Parks staff, tribal governments, community nonprofits, and a competitive grant portal (GrantInterface). The "customer" base spans government (California Department of Parks and Recreation as primary), corporate partners, individual donors, foundations, and program beneficiaries, with no product/service pricing.

Name

Parks California CA

Legal name

Parks California

Website

https://parkscalifornia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Parks California is the official statutory nonprofit partner of California State Parks, administering grant programs and digital initiatives that expand access, workforce pathways, and stewardship across California's 280 state parks, serving underserved communities, tribes, and youth through philanthropic and corporate funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State Park Conservation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

Keywords

• State park partnerships
• Nonprofit grant administration
• Conservation philanthropy
• Park access programs
• Environmental stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Donations & Fundraising: Parks California raises funds from individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners to support park programs, grants, and operational activities. Donations are solicited through the website, direct mail, workplace giving, and matching programs.
2. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships: Corporate partners provide financial support, in-kind donations, product collaborations, and cause marketing tied to Parks California's signature programs including Access & Belonging, Climate & Stewardship, and Parks of the Future.
3. Grant Administration & Management: Parks California manages multiple grant programs including Route to Parks, Career Pathways, Arts in California Parks, Adventure Pass, and Santa Cruz Community grants. As administrator, the organization receives and deploys public and private funds to community organizations supporting park access, stewardship, and workforce development.
4. Planned Giving & Estate Gifts: Parks California accepts Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRAs, donor advised fund grants, and charitable gift annuities, providing donors with tax-advantaged giving options to support the long-term sustainability of California state parks.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Parks California is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created by California SB 1111 to serve as the official statutory partner of California State Parks. It mobilizes private donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants to fund access, stewardship, arts, and workforce programs that expand who benefits from the California state park system. Its work spans grantmaking to community organizations, digital education tools (PORTS), and statewide initiatives like the Adventure Pass for fourth graders.

Product overview

Parks California operates as a nonprofit organization serving as California State Parks' statutory partner, offering a portfolio of grant programs and initiatives rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include Route to Parks Grants (transportation access), Arts in California Parks, Adventure Pass, Career Pathways, and PORTS/passPORTS (digital education programs). Additional programs include the Visitor Use Management Toolkit, Resource Stewardship Initiative, and the Virtual Adventurer mobile app. These programs work together to expand park access, support workforce development, enable digital learning, and foster community engagement across California's 280 state parks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Route to Parks Grants Program

Quantifiable outcome

• More than $140 million in regional economic benefit generated annually by California State Parks restoration projects
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core / flagship, foundational, major and supporting.

• California State Parks Waterway Connections Initiativecore / flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026A joint initiative between California Department of Parks and Recreation and Parks California that supports water-related outdoor access and experiences through the Route to Parks grants program, helping participants connect with California's rivers, lakes, coastlines, and watersheds.
• California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks)core / flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia State Parks is the primary government partner. Parks California serves as the official statutory nonprofit partner created by SB 1111 legislation and the Parks Forward Commission. The organizations work together on joint priorities annually, with Parks California providing new resources, expertise, and fundraising capabilities to strengthen the state park system.
• Parks Forward CommissionfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn independent panel of experts that evaluated California State Parks and produced the 2015 Parks Forward report, which recommended the creation of Parks California as a key reform mechanism. Parks Forward provided the strategic blueprint for Parks California's mission and operational framework.
• California State Parks FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the California State Parks Nonprofit Partnership Study, which examined the contributions of nonprofit partners supporting state parks across California. Also a key partner in the broader nonprofit park ecosystem.
• California League of Park AssociationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Nonprofit Partnership Study alongside Parks California, California State Parks Foundation, State Parks Partnerships Division, and Potrero Group to build understanding of nonprofit contributions to state parks.
• California Arts CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParks California, California State Parks, and the California Arts Council co-developed and co-administer the Arts in California Parks grants program, which funds culture bearers, tribes, and organizations to create place-based art installations and cultural programming in state parks.
• California State Parks Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOGALS administers the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program ($3 billion in grant funding since 2000). Parks California amplifies and shares stories of OGALS-funded community park projects across California.
• Oregon State UniversitysupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartnered with California State Parks and Parks California in 2023 to develop the Visitor Use Management Toolkit, a resource for park staff and land managers implementing visitor use management strategies to address overcrowding and protect park resources.
• International Coalition of Sites of ConsciencesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Untold Stories program — provides training and resources to California State Park Interpreters and Educators to help them navigate untold or contested histories, foster dialogue, and spark civic action in parks.
• TimeloopersupportingTechnology or IntegrationDeveloped the Virtual Adventurer app in partnership with California State Parks, providing park visitors with interactive maps, park tours, and interpretation including virtual enactments and historical artifacts, many focused on Indigenous, Black, LatinX, Asian, and other underrepresented communities.
• Border Field State Park / EO Wilson Biodiversity FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBorder Field State Park, a grantee of Parks California, produced the 'Divided Together' podcast series aligned with California's 'Reexamining Our Past' initiative, sharing stories related to the border wall, Kumeyaay land-use practices, and community experiences.
• Golden Gate National Parks ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA key nonprofit partner involved in the Candlestick Point Partners collaborative alongside Parks California, California State Parks, Literacy for Environmental Justice, and California State Parks Foundation to elevate Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.
• Literacy for Environmental JusticemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA community nonprofit partner in the Candlestick Point Partners collaborative, working with Parks California and other organizations to engage Bayview Hunters Point communities with their local state park.
• California Natural Resources Agencycore / flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoute to Parks and other Parks California programs are aligned with the California Natural Resources Agency's 'Outdoors for All' initiative for greater access to nature for all Californians, particularly underserved communities.
• Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsomcore / flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerParks California's programs including Arts in California Parks and Route to Parks support the 'Outdoor Access for All' initiative championed by Governor Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom, providing high-level political alignment and visibility.
• California State Parks Boating and Waterways CommissionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJosé G. González, Parks California Board Treasurer, serves on this commission, representing Parks California's perspective on state park policy and waterway access programs.
• Computer Using Educators (CUE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCUE partnered with California State Parks – PORTS and Parks California to launch passPORTS — a blended access approach combining quality teaching practices with technology to create more accessible park-based digital learning experiences for K-12 students.
• ClockshopmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClockshop leads the Bowtie Youth Council, a community engagement initiative supported by Parks California grants. The council involves young adults in designing the future Bowtie Parcel California State Park in Los Angeles, serving as a model for effective community engagement in park planning.
• Potrero GroupsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerA California-based research and management consulting firm serving public lands organizations, Potrero Group served as primary project manager and research lead for the California State Parks Nonprofit Partnership Study, a collaboration between Parks California and multiple partner organizations.
• EO Wilson Biodiversity FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaryl Hart, a Parks California Advisory Council member, serves on the board of the EO Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, representing Parks California's interest in biodiversity and conservation networks.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Resources Legacy Fund: California-focused foundation supporting environmental conservation, parks, and ocean protection through grantmaking and policy advocacy. Strong overlap in California conservation funding ecosystem.
• California Native Plant Society: California-based nonprofit focused on native plant conservation, with chapter-based volunteer programs and advocacy. Comparable in California-specific environmental stewardship mission.

Broad incumbents

• Conservation International: Global environmental nonprofit focused on nature conservation, climate, and biodiversity. Comparable in corporate partnership model and major donor fundraising for conservation outcomes.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit working to conserve land for public access, with deep California presence including park creation, schoolyard greening, and climate resilience. Comparable in park access mission and policy advocacy.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest environmental nonprofits globally, with significant California operations focused on land conservation, climate resilience, and ecological restoration. Comparable in restoration scale and corporate fundraising.
• Sierra Club Foundation: Major environmental nonprofit funding outdoor recreation access, conservation, and climate programs. Comparable in mission around public lands access and donor-supported environmental programs.

Direct peers

• National Park Foundation: The official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, created by Congress to fundraise and steward programs for the federal park system. Directly analogous statutory nonprofit partner model.
• Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: The official nonprofit partner of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, supporting one of the most-visited units of the National Park System. Direct comparable in nonprofit-state-park partnership model.
• California State Parks Foundation: California-focused nonprofit that supports California State Parks through advocacy, fundraising, and programs. Most direct comparable to Parks California, with overlapping leadership in the recent Nonprofit Partnership Study.

Others

• Potrero Group: California-based consulting firm specializing in public lands and parks research, including the Nonprofit Partnership Study with Parks California. Adjacent enabling service provider to the park nonprofit ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUEYWnU42wjRynSifi5iF5w/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/ParksCalifornia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/parkscalifornia
• Instagraminstagram.com/parkscalifornia
• Xx.com/PARKSCALIFORNIA

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Parks California CA