Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation

What Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation does

The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1998 and headquartered in Santa Rosa, California. It operates as the designated fundraising and advocacy arm for Sonoma County Regional Parks, supporting more than 60 parks and trails spanning urban, suburban, valley, mountain, river, and coastal environments. The foundation's programmatic focus includes environmental education, youth engagement (YES! Youth Exploring Sonoma, Camperships), habitat restoration, fire preparedness through prescribed burns, water safety patrol on the Russian River, and trail construction across the county's regional park system.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of individual donations (one-time and recurring via the Park Pals program at $10/month minimum), corporate sponsorships ranging from $750 to $10,000+, planned giving through the Legacy Society (bequests, IRA rollovers, charitable remainder trusts), stock donations processed via Charles Schwab, community card programs (Oliver's Market 3% donation), and event fundraisers including the Fogbelt Classic golf tournament ($190-$220/player) and Water Bark dog swim. Commemorative gifts (tree plantings, bench and picnic table sponsorships at $3,500-$5,500, water fountain and Bear Saver Box sponsorships) provide additional unit-priced contributions. Distribution to parks occurs via grants, project funding, and direct program support in coordination with Sonoma County Regional Parks staff.

The organization is governed by a 19-member board of directors (10 appointed by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, 9 by the foundation itself) and operates with a lean staff of four, including Executive Director Melissa Kelley (in role since 2011). Strategic partners include Kaiser Permanente ($500,000 fire-recovery grant), CalFire, California State Parks, Audubon Canyon Ranch, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Sonoma Land Trust, and the Santa Rosa Junior College. There are no technology products, proprietary platforms, or AI-driven systems; the foundation's technology footprint is limited to a DonorPerfect donation portal and standard website, email, and social media channels.

Name

Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation

Legal name

Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation

Website

https://sonomacountyparksfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds, fosters partnerships, and advocates on behalf of Sonoma County Regional Parks, supporting 60+ parks and trails through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, and community events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Park Fundraising and Conservation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK)

Keywords

• Park fundraising nonprofit
• Conservation philanthropy
• Youth outdoor education
• Community event fundraising
• Park donor stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Rosa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individual supporters, including monthly Park Pals program, one-time gifts to specific parks or programs, and commemorative gifts (trees, benches, plaques)
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Business sponsorships ranging from $750 to $10,000+ for events and programs, including Fogbelt Classic, Water Bark, Russian River Water Safety Patrol, Science Field Trips
3. Planned Giving/Legacy Gifts: Bequests through wills or trusts, IRA charitable rollovers (QCDs), beneficiary designations on retirement accounts or life insurance
4. Stock Donations: Donations of appreciated securities (stocks, mutual funds, bonds) providing donors with charitable deductions and avoiding capital gains taxes
5. Community Card Programs: Oliver's Market Community Card donations - 3% of shopping donated to foundation
6. Event Fundraisers: Revenue from event tickets and participation fees including Fogbelt Classic golf tournament ($190-220 per player) and Water Bark dog swim event

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds, fosters partnerships, and advocates on behalf of Sonoma County Regional Parks. It operates monthly giving programs, commemorative gift sponsorships, signature community fundraising events (Water Bark, Fogbelt Classic), youth education programs (YES! Youth Exploring Sonoma, Camperships), conservation initiatives (Fire Preparedness, Habitat Restoration, Water Safety Patrol), and planned giving vehicles to support 60+ parks and trails across Sonoma County, California.

Product overview

The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds and fosters partnerships to support Sonoma County Regional Parks. Rather than a technology product company, it offers a portfolio of fundraising programs, community events, youth education initiatives, and conservation programs. Core offerings include the Park Pals monthly giving program, commemorative gift opportunities (bench/table sponsorship, tree fund, Bear Saver Boxes), and youth programs (YES! Youth Exploring Sonoma, Camperships). The Foundation hosts signature events including the Spring Lake Water Bark dog swim, Top Dog Photo Contest, Fogbelt Classic Golf Tournament, and 50-5-5 Hike Challenge. Environmental programs include Fire Preparedness, Water Safety Patrol, habitat restoration, and trail construction projects. Planned giving options support the Legacy Society for estate planning donors. The Foundation supports 60+ Sonoma County parks and trails through various fundraising mechanisms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Park Pals Monthly Giving Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Applied prescribed fire to over 300 acres of parkland
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CalFirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for prescribed burns applying 'good fire' to parkland for forest health and fire fuel reduction. Applied prescribed fire to over 300 acres including grasslands of Tolay Ranch to dense forests of Monte Rio Redwoods.
• Audubon Canyon RanchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for prescribed burns and environmental education programs at regional parks.
• Federated Indians of Graton RancheriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for prescribed burns applying traditional fire management practices to parkland.
• California State ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for prescribed burns and park management coordination.
• Sonoma Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for prescribed burns and land conservation efforts.
• Santa Rosa Junior CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Santa Rosa Junior College Wildfire Resilience Program - workforce development program giving students hands-on skills and experience.
• Redwood Trails AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to enhance trails at Helen Putnam Regional Parks working with Sonoma County Regional Parks.
• Charles SchwabminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFoundation's brokerage for stock donations. DTC Number: 0164, Account Name: Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation, Account Number: 4381-6128.
• Fogbelt Brewing Co.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHosts Fogbelt Classic charity golf tournament at Windsor Golf Club benefiting foundation. Sponsorship opportunities from $500 (Hole) to $5,000 (Presenting).
• Windsor Golf ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue for Fogbelt Classic charity golf tournament.
• Russian River AdventuresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated 90+ life jackets to Water Safety Patrol program; supports river safety initiatives.
• Sonoma County Regional ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary beneficiary of foundation's fundraising. Foundation raises funds, fosters partnerships, and advocates on behalf of Sonoma County Regional Parks.
• Sonoma County Board of SupervisorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppoints 10 of 19 board members of Parks Foundation. Formal government partnership.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: Largest parks-supporting nonprofit in the Bay Area, raising private funds for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Highly comparable as a parks foundation that supplements public funding for a specific regional park system.
• Save the Redwoods League: California-wide nonprofit acquiring and restoring redwood forests. Operates a similar land-protection, donor-supported model with corporate sponsorships, planned giving, and major grant partnerships that the foundation also pursues.
• National Park Foundation: Official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. Highly comparable in mission — raising private funds for public parks via memberships, corporate partnerships, and signature events — but at a national scale.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates parks and protects land for public use. Comparable as a philanthropy-driven land conservation organization that partners with local governments on park creation, though at a much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District: Special district preserving over 65,000 acres of open space in the Bay Area with associated foundation support. Comparable as a regional park/open-space operator funded by public sources plus philanthropic giving in Northern California.
• Sonoma Land Trust: Major Sonoma County conservation nonprofit that acquires and stewards open space. The foundation is an active partner with Sonoma Land Trust on prescribed burns and land acquisitions, and both rely on philanthropy to expand and protect parkland in the same geography.
• Audubon Canyon Ranch: Conservation nonprofit operating sanctuaries and conservation programs in the Bay Area and Sonoma County. Directly comparable as a regional environmental nonprofit delivering habitat protection, education, and prescribed fire partnerships in overlapping geographies.
• East Bay Regional Parks Foundation: Independent 501(c)(3) fundraising arm for East Bay Regional Park District parks. Operates the same model — designated nonprofit supporting a county-level regional park system via donations, sponsorships, events, and grants.

Regional players

• Sempervirens Fund: California redwoods land trust protecting parks and redwood forests near Silicon Valley. Comparable model as a nonprofit that funds acquisition, trail-building, and conservation programs for public parklands.
• Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST): Silicon Valley/Bay Area open-space conservation nonprofit. Comparable as a regional land trust raising philanthropic and corporate dollars for park acquisition and stewardship, though focused on a different county geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SonomaCountyParksFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/SonomaCountyParksFoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation