What Great Outdoors Foundation does

The Great Outdoors Foundation is a West Des Moines, Iowa-based 501(c)-class nonprofit (EIN 42-1441098) founded circa 1995 that funds and accelerates land and water conservation across Iowa and the Upper Mississippi River Watershed. Its core platform is the Conservation Acceleration Fund (CAF), a capital-stacking mechanism that deploys catalytic private dollars against a guaranteed 4:1 public-to-private match, unlocking government co-funding from IDALS, IDNR, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Since its 2023 inception, CAF has mobilized $11M in private investment, unlocked $51M in total capital, and financed 105 conservation projects ranging from grade stabilization and wetland construction to cover-crop adoption. The foundation's portfolio also includes ICON Water Trails (a 150-mile Central Iowa water trail network with 15 active sites drawing 250,000+ visitors per season), the Wetland Wave batching-and-build methodology, the Athene Watershed26 cross-sector summit, and the Convergence conservation-ag pitch competition.

The foundation serves four primary customer segments: corporate partners seeking turnkey water-stewardship and sustainability outcomes (anchor partners Google, Athene, MidAmerican Energy, and Microsoft), government and public agencies needing matching capital and project delivery, farmers and agricultural landowners implementing voluntary conservation practices, and other conservation nonprofits that benefit from its fiscal-sponsorship and backend support. Revenue is generated entirely through donations, corporate contributions, government grants, Conservation Circle recurring memberships, endowment giving, and planned-giving vehicles (including IRA Charitable Rollovers), with over 98% of funds directed to projects.

The operating model relies on a lean team of roughly a dozen staff plus a 12-person board, and executes via "radical collaboration" with anchor corporate funders, state and federal agencies, agricultural co-ops, and peer conservation nonprofits. In May 2026, the foundation spun off the Conservation Foundation of Polk County (CFPC) to handle county-level fundraising, freeing the parent organization to focus on statewide and watershed-scale initiatives. The foundation's stated cumulative conservation and outdoor-recreation investment exceeds $250M over the last several years, with documented environmental outcomes including 948 million gallons of annual water replenishment, 3,829 acres treated by grade stabilization, and a 50-year projected nitrate reduction of nearly 10 million pounds at the Spring Creek Wetland alone.

Name

Great Outdoors Foundation

Legal name

Great Outdoors Foundation

Website

https://greatoutdoorsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Great Outdoors Foundation is a West Des Moines, Iowa-based nonprofit (founded 1995) that funds land and water conservation across Iowa and the Upper Mississippi River Watershed through its Conservation Acceleration Fund, anchoring $11M in private capital and $51M in total project financing across 105 conservation initiatives since 2023.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation and Environmental Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Support Activities for Forestry (115310)

SIC

Forestry (800), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Avoided Conversion & Ecosystem Protection (REDD+, Blue Carbon Conservation) (EUABABAC), Forest Carbon Projects & Ecosystem Services (Carbon Credits, Biodiversity) (IMAMAAAJ)

Keywords

• Conservation funding
• Water quality programs
• Environmental stewardship
• Public-private partnerships
• Outdoor recreation initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

West Des Moines

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: The foundation accepts donations through multiple channels including online (Givebutter platform), mail, stock/ACH transfers, Donor-Advised Funds, workplace giving, and cryptocurrency. Donors receive high-impact marketing exposure and customized benefits through the Conservation Circle membership.
2. Corporate Water Stewardship Investments: Corporate partners invest in the Conservation Acceleration Fund through contributions that unlock 4:1 public-to-private matching. Partners include Google ($1.3M, $1.7M), Athene ($1.8M), and others. These are strategic investments tied to water quality outcomes and corporate sustainability goals.
3. Government Grants and Public Funding: The foundation leverages private investments as match for public dollars from government sources including Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Army Corps of Engineers, and local government entities.
4. Conservation Circle Membership: Recurring funding from organizations and individuals through ongoing Conservation Circle membership. Members receive marketing exposure, early event access, regular updates, and customized benefits. More than 98% of funds are invested directly into projects.
5. Endowment Giving: The foundation's endowment provides dynamic, ongoing support for significant conservation efforts. Donors can contribute to the endowment through direct gifts or notations in online donations.
6. Planned Giving and Bequests: The foundation accepts bequests and IRA Charitable Rollovers (QCDs) for supporters 70.5 years or older, offering tax-free gifts that count toward required minimum distributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Great Outdoors Foundation operates a Conservation Acceleration Fund (CAF) that mobilizes private capital and deploys it alongside public funding (guaranteed 4:1 match) to fund water quality, wetland, and outdoor recreation infrastructure projects across Iowa. It complements the CAF with programs like ICON Water Trails, Wetland Wave, and the Watershed26 cross-sector summit that convene corporate, government, agricultural, and conservation partners around shared conservation outcomes.

Product overview

The Great Outdoors Foundation operates as a conservation nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and initiatives rather than a unified software product. The core offering is the Conservation Acceleration Fund (CAF), a dynamic funding mechanism that deploys catalytic capital to safeguard land and water. This is supported by ICON Water Trails for water trail infrastructure development, the Happy Disruptors Podcast for outreach, Athene Watershed26 as an annual summit, Convergence as a pitch competition, Creative Conservationist Awards for recognition, Conservation Circle as a membership tier, and the Wetland Wave Program for wetland construction. Together, these programs advance conservation through innovation, collaboration, and stewardship in Iowa's agricultural regions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Conservation Acceleration Fund (CAF): A dynamic funding mechanism designed to activate key conservation initiatives via strategic investments with a guaranteed 4:1 public-to-private funding match. Deploys thought leadership, catalytic capital, and outcome-driven infrastructure to safeguard land, water, and future.
• Conservation Circle
• The Happy Disruptors Podcast
• Athene Watershed26
• Convergence: The Conservation Ag Accelerator
• ICON Water Trails
• Wetland Wave

Products and services

• Conservation Acceleration Fund (CAF)

Quantifiable outcome

• $11 million in private investments mobilized; $51 million in capital unlocked; 105 conservation projects funded through Conservation Acceleration Fund
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026Government partner in Spring Creek Wetland and other Conservation Acceleration Fund projects. IDNR contributes regulatory expertise and watershed management perspective to the Watershed26 Shared Action Plan framework.
• U.S. Army Corps of EngineersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026Federal agency partner in Spring Creek Wetland and Pastour Wetland projects, providing regulatory and technical expertise for wetland restoration initiatives.
• The Nature Conservancy IowaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026Conservation organization represented on Watershed26 committee, contributing to Stacked Benefits strategic pillar focused on demonstrating interconnected economic, environmental, and community benefits of conservation investments.
• Environmental Defense FundminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026Represented on Watershed26 Science & Data committee, contributing expertise in leveraging science, technology, and data systems to improve conservation outcomes.
• Iowa Natural Heritage FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026Foundation represented on Watershed26 Stacked Benefits committee, contributing to work on demonstrating economic, environmental, and community benefits of conservation investments.
• Heartland Co-opcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Heartland Co-op Conservation Agronomy Team received 2026 Group Creative Conservationist Award for helping facilitate approximately 400,000 acres of cover crops, supporting 2,000+ acres of no-till/strip-till, and advancing saturated buffers, bioreactors, wetlands, and streamside buffer strips across Iowa.
• Iowa Natural Heritage FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2024Partnered with Google and Polk County Conservation on the Brenton Slough Wetland Protection project, acquiring over 1,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and oak savannah in the Beaver Creek Watershed. The Great Outdoors Foundation works collaboratively with INHF on multiple conservation initiatives.
• Polk County ConservationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2024Polk County Conservation is a key partner in multiple projects including Brenton Slough Wetland Protection and Wetland Wave program. The Great Outdoors Foundation and Polk County Conservation are collaborating to launch the Conservation Foundation of Polk County (CFPC) to raise funds supporting Polk County Conservation operations.
• Drake UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2024Partner in the grade stabilization project initiative, bringing academic expertise to the conservation infrastructure portfolio.
• Story County ConservationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2024Partner in Cambridge Tract project implementing prairie, wetland, and oxbow restoration on the South Skunk River in Story County.
• Central Iowa Water WorksminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2024Recipient of Farm to Faucet funding for expansion of nitrate removal capacity. Central Iowa Water Works' water quality challenges drive need for conservation solutions supported by Great Outdoors Foundation.
• Iowa Wildlife FederationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2024The Great Outdoors Foundation provides backend support for Iowa Wildlife Federation, allowing for a more developed conservation nonprofit sector and strengthened partners.
• Jester Park Nature CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2024Great Outdoors Foundation led the $8 million capital campaign for activation of this signature regional amenity supporting access to conservation and recreation, completed in 2016.
• Iowa Soybean AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in Conservation Agronomy Education Program and Cambridge Tract project. The association brings agricultural expertise and farmer relationships to conservation implementation, supporting the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council initiatives.
• Iowa Agriculture Water AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023Key partner in advancing voluntary water quality solutions. Communications Director Rebekah Jones received 2026 Creative Conservationist Award for developing innovative digital tools helping farmers understand and access conservation opportunities, including nationally recognized cost-share comparison resources.
• Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023IDALS is a key government partner for Conservation Acceleration Fund projects, including the 47-site grade stabilization initiative led by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Secretary Mike Naig has recognized the partnership's impact on Iowa's conservation efforts and water quality improvement goals.
• ICON Water TrailscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Great Outdoors Foundation incubated and launched ICON Water Trails, a transformational initiative connecting 150 miles of water trails in Central Iowa. GOF continues as a key partner in the initiative. ICON represents a new commitment to water safety, conservation, economic development, visitor attraction, and workforce retention.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves3 records

Broad incumbents

• Ducks Unlimited: National wetlands and waterfowl habitat nonprofit with significant Iowa operations. Comparable for wetland restoration project delivery, public-private funding partnerships, and engagement with agricultural landowners on voluntary conservation practices.
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Congressionally-chartered nonprofit that is one of the largest conservation grantmakers in the U.S. Comparable as a grantmaking intermediary leveraging federal and corporate dollars for on-the-ground habitat and water quality projects, including work in the Upper Mississippi River Watershed.
• Pheasants Forever: National upland wildlife habitat nonprofit with significant Iowa chapter operations and farmer-facing conservation delivery. Comparable for working lands conservation delivery, Soil and Water Conservation District partnerships, and cover-crop/grassland habitat programs.
• Environmental Defense Fund: National environmental advocacy and science organization active on agricultural water quality and the Mississippi River basin. Comparable for its corporate-engagement strategy on water stewardship and participation in GOF's Watershed26 Science & Data committee.
• The Nature Conservancy - Iowa: Global conservation organization with active Iowa chapter working on agriculture, water, and land stewardship. Comparable because it pursues similar public-private conservation financing and is represented on GOF's Watershed26 committees.

Others

• Walton Family Foundation: Major philanthropic funder of Mississippi River watershed conservation. Relevant as both a peer grantmaker and an existing Watershed26 partner of GOF, providing a comparable model for how large foundations deploy capital toward systemic water-quality and conservation outcomes.

Direct peers

• The Conservation Fund: National nonprofit that uses innovative public-private financing to protect land and water, with operations in all 50 states. Comparable for its capital-stacking approach, conservation real-asset transactions, and ability to bridge federal, state, and corporate capital for conservation outcomes.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates parks and protects land for people, working across rural and urban geographies. Comparable for its public-private financing model, conservation real estate transactions, and emphasis on community-driven conservation outcomes.
• Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation: Iowa-based land conservation nonprofit focused on private land protection, trail development, and watershed restoration. Highly comparable as both organizations operate across Iowa with overlapping landowner, government, and corporate stakeholder networks.

Regional players

• Sustainable Iowa Land Trust: Iowa-focused land trust dedicated to protecting land for sustainable food production. Comparable as an Iowa-anchored nonprofit operating in the same conservation/agriculture ecosystem, though focused specifically on farmland rather than water quality.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutu.be/dL7xefmQLx0
• Xx.com/IowaGOF
• Facebookfacebook.com/GreatOutdoorsFoundationIowa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Great Outdoors Foundation