Eagle Creek Park Foundation

What Eagle Creek Park Foundation does

Eagle Creek Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1979 that serves as the fundraising, membership, and volunteer arm of Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis, Indiana — one of the nation's top 10 largest municipal parks, spanning 3,900 acres of woods and meadows and 1,300 acres of reservoir. The Foundation's core product is the Foundation Park Pass ($85 annually), of which $55 is retained by the Foundation to fund park improvements; additional revenue comes from individual donations at $5–$500+ tiers, corporate sponsorships, and a Partner Pass program that channels passes to youth-serving nonprofits. Its operational footprint includes capital projects across the park: the Earth Discovery Center (with geothermal heating/cooling and a geothermal pond), the Ornithology Center (Important Bird Area designation, Carlsen Aviary housing seven raptor ambassadors), nearly 8 miles of West Side Hiking Trails, the Bilingual Naturalist Program, and a Marina Concert Stage.

The Foundation operates with a small paid staff (Executive Director currently in transition, Marketing & Program Manager Dan Neeley, Office Manager Natasha Rott) supplemented by 100+ regular volunteers contributing approximately 8,000 hours annually. Since 2001, it has invested over $5 million into park projects and programs via donations, grants (notably a $2.6M Lilly Endowment award in 2018), bequests, and Foundation-direct contributions. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the Foundation's Shopify storefront, in-person at the park office, and at park entrance gates, augmented by event-driven fundraising (Iron Eagle Paddle Run, Owl Fest, Summer Concert Series) and a multi-channel digital presence (Nature Notes podcast, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, email newsletter).

Customer segments are diversified: local park visitors and outdoor enthusiasts (primary), conservation-minded donors, youth-serving nonprofits receiving donated passes, and corporate sponsors (West 10th Dental Group, Indy Hiking Club, Wheel Fun Rentals/Eagle Creek Outfitters). The Foundation works in close partnership with Indy Parks, which owns and operates the underlying park assets, while the Foundation supplements city funding — a model that addresses the structural gap between Indianapolis's $24 per-resident parks spend and the $89 national average for cities of comparable size.

Name

Eagle Creek Park Foundation

Legal name

Eagle Creek Park Foundation

Website

https://eaglecreekpark.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Eagle Creek Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds and supports Eagle Creek Park, one of the nation's top 10 largest municipal parks in Indianapolis, through $85 Foundation Park Pass sales, individual donations, grants, and 100+ volunteers serving local park visitors, conservation donors, and youth-serving nonprofit partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Park Foundation Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Nonprofit park foundation
• Park membership passes
• Environmental education programs
• Conservation fundraising
• Park improvement projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis, Indiana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Park Pass Sales: Foundation Park Pass sold for $85, of which $55 stays with the Foundation to support park improvements. Additional family passes available at $50 each. This is the primary revenue stream and includes membership benefits.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations at various levels ($5, $10, $25, $50, $100, $150 and above). Includes specific campaigns like 'Bring Mac Back' and Iron Eagle Amphitheater Project.
3. Volunteer Program: Over 100 regular volunteers contributing approximately 8,000 hours per year. While volunteer time is donated, this enables programs and projects that would otherwise require paid staff.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events and programs. Marketing and Program Manager Dan Neeley manages sponsorship relationships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Eagle Creek Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit friends group that raises funds and mobilizes volunteers to support Eagle Creek Park, one of the nation's top 10 largest municipal parks. It sells annual Foundation Park Passes ($85) that grant unlimited park access plus member benefits, operates educational facilities including the Earth Discovery Center and Ornithology Center, and channels pass revenue, donations, grants, and sponsorships into park improvements, trails, nature centers, and conservation programs.

Product overview

Eagle Creek Park Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization managing park infrastructure, educational facilities, and membership programs at one of the nation's top 10 largest municipal parks. The Foundation's product portfolio centers on the Foundation Park Pass, which provides unlimited park access plus membership benefits including newsletters, member events, and partner discounts. Core educational offerings include the Earth Discovery Center (environmental education with exhibits and Wet Lab Classroom) and the Ornithology Center (bird-focused facility with raptor ambassadors and observation decks). The Foundation has invested over $5 million since 2001 in capital projects including the West Side Hiking Trails (8 miles of trails with ADA accessibility), Carlsen Aviary (raptor housing), Geothermal Pond (educational pond study habitat), Marina Concert Stage (music venue), and Fitness Trail Renovation. Additional programs include the Bilingual Naturalist Program offering inclusive bilingual events, shelter and watercraft rentals, Bark Park for canine recreation, and the Partner Pass Program supporting youth organizations. The organization generates revenue through park passes, memberships, donations, and volunteer programs to fund park improvements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Foundation Park Pass Annual $85 membership that provides unlimited entry to Eagle Creek Park plus member-exclusive newsletters, monthly member events, and discounts at partner businesses including 10% off Golf Club greens fees (Mon-Thu), 15% off Go Ape Treetop Adventure, and discounts at Eagle Creek Outfitters. Revenue directly funds park improvements and conservation projects.
• Partner Pass Program A donation-based program that provides free park access passes to youth under the care of community partner organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Brooke's Place, and Starfish Initiative. Available at a donation equivalent of $50 per pass.
• Member Events Program Monthly member-exclusive programming including expert talks, guided nature hikes, and unique experiences such as Total Lunar Eclipse viewing, Moth Expert sessions, and Champion Trees hikes. Included with Foundation Park Pass membership.
• Watercraft Rentals Rental service for single and double kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, sail boats, stand-up paddle boards, small jon boats, and pontoon boats available at Eagle Creek Outfitters during seasonal operating hours. Foundation members receive $10 off one-hour kayak rentals and $25 off two-hour pontoon rentals.
• Shelter Rentals Reservation service for 15 covered picnic shelters accommodating 40-200 people with grills and picnic tables, plus indoor facilities including Eagle's Hideaway and Marina Overlook available year-round for reunions, corporate outings, weddings, and receptions.
• Bark Park Off-leash dog recreation area with shelter and information kiosk featuring the Mackenzie statue. Requires a Pooch Pass for entry, providing designated canine-friendly outdoor space within Eagle Creek Park.
• Bilingual Naturalist Program Inclusive bilingual nature programming delivered in partnership with Earth Charter Indiana. Seven free bilingual events held in 2024 including Axolotl April, Bird Fest Bilingual Bird Hike, Nature Immersion Walk, and Cultural Celebration, designed to make nature accessible to Spanish-speaking communities.
• Geothermal Pond Educational Program Pond study program facility utilizing geothermal outflow from the Earth Discovery Center heating/cooling system, enabling large school groups to participate in immersive pond study programs with dip-netting for frogs, tadpoles, and aquatic insects.
• Trail Maintenance Fund Donation-supported fund that finances trail preservation and improvement projects at Eagle Creek Park, including bridge construction on the Orange Trail and amphitheater renovation projects. Donation tiers available from $5 to $500+.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $5 million invested in park projects since 2001
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Amos Butler Audubon SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey contributor to Ornithology Center. Funded $25,000 toward Carlsen Aviary construction. Co-hosts Sunday Morning Bird Walks with the Foundation. Board members serve on Foundation governance. Provided grant to Aidan Rominger for habitat management at Ice Skating Pond.
• Wild Birds UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing sponsor to Ornithology Center. Provides support for bird-related programming and education.
• Nature Sanctuary & Center, IncminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey contributor to Ornithology Center renovation and raptor ambassador programs.
• Earth Charter IndianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for bilingual naturalist programming. Funded Eagle Creek's first bilingual naturalist Miranda Frausto in 2024. Delivers monthly bilingual programming including Bird Fest, cultural celebrations, and nature walks.
• Wheel Fun Rentals (Eagle Creek Outfitters)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides kayak, canoe, and boat rentals at the marina. Offers $10 off one-hour kayak rental and $25 off two-hour pontoon rental for Foundation members.
• Go Ape (Treetop Adventure)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTreetop adventure course operator. Offers 15% discount for Foundation members.
• Eagle Creek Golf ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf facility offering 10% off regular greens fees (Monday-Thursday) for Foundation members.
• Indy ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary operating partner for Eagle Creek Park. Foundation works alongside Indy Parks staff in the same office. City provides park land and partial funding; Foundation supplements for enhanced projects.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central IndianaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner Pass recipient serving 1,200+ youth annually through mentorship programs in Hamilton, Johnson, and Marion Counties.
• Brooke's PlaceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner Pass recipient providing grief support services to children, teens, young adults, and families.
• Starfish InitiativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner Pass recipient - 1-to-1 mentoring program for at-promise youth in Indianapolis.
• Peace Learning CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated within Eagle Creek Park. Nonprofit facilitating community learning for peace through workshops, camps, and educator support.
• Sekhem InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting 'Nurtured by Nature' hiking series at Eagle Creek Park.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Prospect Park Alliance: Nonprofit that operates and stewards Prospect Park in Brooklyn under contract with NYC Parks. Operates as a public-private partnership supplementing city funding for a large urban park — closely mirroring Eagle Creek Park Foundation's relationship with Indy Parks and its mix of fundraising, volunteer programs, and capital project delivery.
• Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: Nonprofit partner to the National Park Service supporting the Golden Gate National Parks. Comparable in raising private funds and organizing volunteers to deliver capital projects, educational programming, and habitat restoration on a large protected landscape — same 'friends group for a major park' model.
• Central Park Conservancy: The flagship 'friends-of-the-park' nonprofit supporting Central Park in New York City. Like Eagle Creek Park Foundation, it raises private funds and mobilizes volunteers to supplement limited municipal park funding for one of the nation's largest urban parks, making it the closest operating-model peer.
• Friends of the High Line: Nonprofit conservancy that funds and operates programming for the High Line park in New York City. Comparable in fundraising for a single urban park, operating educational programs, and managing a membership base that supports ongoing capital and programming needs.
• Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: Nonprofit that supports Pittsburgh's city park system through fundraising, volunteer mobilization, and capital project stewardship. Closely comparable in mission (supplementing municipal park funding), membership model, and reliance on institutional grants and corporate sponsors for capital projects.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Global environmental nonprofit focused on land and water conservation. Comparable as a large-scale environmental grantmaker and operator of conservation programs, though its scope is much broader than a single-park foundation like Eagle Creek.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates parks and protects land for public use. Comparable in mission alignment around urban park creation and conservation, though it operates at a national policy and land-acquisition scale rather than as a single-park friends group.
• National Audubon Society: Largest U.S. bird and habitat conservation nonprofit and the body that designates Important Bird Areas — a designation Eagle Creek Park holds. Audubon is also a current funder/programmatic partner of the Foundation via Amos Butler Audubon Society, making it both a peer and an ecosystem player.

Regional players

• Indianapolis Zoo: Major Indianapolis attraction operating a zoo and conservation/education programs. Comparable as a regional Indianapolis nonprofit operator of education-focused visitor experiences with live animal ambassadors — directly parallel to the Ornithology Center's raptor ambassador program.
• White River State Park (Indianapolis): Another flagship Indianapolis urban park that relies on a mix of public funding and private partnerships. Comparable in that it represents another Indianapolis park operating model that the Foundation could be benchmarked against for funding structures and visitor engagement strategies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ecpfindy
• Facebookfacebook.com/EagleCreekParkFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/eagle_creek_park_foundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eagle-creek-park-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Eagle Creek Park Foundation