Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary

What Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary does

Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 2132 Jimmy Durante Blvd in Del Mar, California, with EIN 33-0498947. Founded in 1981 by Dr. Robert F. Stonebreaker as a boarding and breeding facility, the organization converted to federally tax-exempt nonprofit status in March 2009 following Dr. Stonebreaker's death in 2010. The sanctuary maintains a flock of 40+ resident parrots spanning species including macaws, cockatoos, Amazons, African Greys, conures, and pionus, and operates with approximately 10-12 dedicated staff members who function as trained avian specialists. Operations are concentrated in San Diego County and led by Executive Director Isabelle Zapata under a Board of Directors that includes Board Treasurer Frank Napolitano (CFA charterholder, CFP, Harvard BA, Boston University JD).

The service portfolio spans reservation-based visitor admissions, six-tier annual memberships, companion parrot adoption, short- and long-term boarding, monthly bird sponsorship, and educational programs. General admission is priced at $10 in advance and $15 same-day, with annual memberships ranging from $50 (African Grey seniors, Cockatiel students) to $200 (Flock family tier). Educational programming includes Parrot Camp for children ages 7-14 ($250/week), Junior Docent training for teens 14-17, field trips, scout programs, and off-site outreach to schools, libraries, senior centers, and museums. The bird sponsorship program enables recurring monthly support of $5-$60 tied to specific resident parrots.

Free Flight operates as a direct-to-consumer nonprofit with diversified revenue across admissions, memberships, small-dollar donations, recurring sponsorships, foundation grants (Conrad Prebys Foundation, Edith J Goode Residuary Trust, Del Mar Community Support Foundation, Wilson Sexton Foundation, JEM Grant), corporate and in-kind partnerships, and event-based fundraising (Painting with Parrots). The organization also runs vehicle donations through a CARS partnership, stock/securities donations via Vanguard Brokerage Services, and estate planning services for legacy donors. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations run on a Squarespace-hosted website, Stripe payment links, as.me scheduling, and standard nonprofit back-office tooling.

Name

Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary

Legal name

Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary

Website

https://freeflightbirds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Del Mar, California that shelters, re-socializes, and adopts out companion parrots, operating a reservation-based public sanctuary with 40+ resident birds, educational programs, and diversified donation and membership revenue streams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Sanctuary Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Watching & Encounters (Birding, Whale Watching, Primates) (THAJAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bird Grooming & Boarding (Avian) (HSANAKAB)

Keywords

• Exotic bird sanctuary
• Parrot adoption services
• Avian education programs
• Companion bird boarding
• Bird sponsorship program

Headquarters

HQ city

Del Mar

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admissions: Visitors pay admission fees to tour the sanctuary. General admission is $10 per person with advance booking, $15 on the day of visit. Reservations are required.
2. Membership Passes: Annual membership providing unlimited visits. Multiple tiers available from $50-$200 annually, including Amazon (Adult) $70, Lovebirds (Couple) $130, African Grey (Senior) $50, Cockatiel (Student) $50.01, Under Your Wing (1 adult + 1 child) $100, and Flock (2 adults, 2 children) $200.
3. Bird Sponsorship: Monthly donation program where supporters sponsor specific birds. Tiers: Love Them All Fund ($5-10/month), Small Bird ($25/month for conures, caiques, etc.), Medium Bird ($40/month for Amazons, African Greys, etc.), Large Bird ($60/month for macaws, cockatoos).
4. Donations: Direct tax-deductible donations accepted online, by check, stock, or vehicle. The sanctuary relies heavily on donor support as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
5. Parrot Camp & Educational Programs: Summer camp programs for children ages 7-14 ($250 per week), Junior Docent training for teens, field trips, scout troop programs, and educational presentations.
6. Vehicle Donation Program: Partnership with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) to accept vehicle donations including cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, and airplanes.
7. Stock & Securities Donations: Accepts donations of stock and securities through Vanguard Brokerage Services. Tax ID: 33-0498947.
8. Estate Planning Services: Offers adoption plans, lifelong care plans, pet trusts, and gift plans for donors wishing to include the sanctuary in their estate planning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary operates a public exotic bird sanctuary in Del Mar, California, sheltering and re-socializing over 40 companion parrots while offering paid admission visits, annual memberships, parrot adoption, boarding services, and educational programs such as Parrot Camp and Junior Docent training. The organization funds its mission through a diversified mix of visitor fees, memberships, monthly bird sponsorships, donations (including vehicle and stock gifts), grants, and event programming.

Product overview

Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) exotic bird sanctuary in Del Mar, California, offering a portfolio of visitor services, membership programs, educational initiatives, and donation mechanisms. Core services include general admission visits ($10-15 per person with reservation), annual membership tiers ranging from $50-$200, and gift cards for admissions and memberships. The sanctuary's sponsorship program allows monthly donors to support specific birds at tiered levels ($5-60/month), while the Amazon Wishlist enables in-kind donations of toys and supplies. Educational programming encompasses Parrot Camp for children ages 7-14 ($250/week) and Junior Docent training for teens, while boarding services provide short and long-term parrot care. Fundraising events include Painting with Parrots sessions, and donors can contribute via vehicle donations (through CARS partnership) or stock transfers (via Vanguard).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Admission Visits

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with CARS to process vehicle donations including cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, and airplanes. CARS handles pickup and paperwork, with donations tax-deductible. This program has been a 'tremendous success' in raising funds.
• SoCal ParrotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife rescue referral partner. When wild parrots are found, Free Flight directs callers to SoCal Parrot (858) 522-0852 for transport/drop-off coordination.
• Palomar College ASL Interpreter Training ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership providing ASL interpretation for sanctuary tours. ASL Interpreted Tours offered on the last Friday of every month.
• Living Coast Discovery CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity collaborator for educational events and nature walks. Joint trilingual nature walks combining Free Flight's bird expertise with LCDC's native plant and wildlife education.
• San Diego Bird AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity collaborator and education program guest speaker. Free Flight participates in San Diego Bird Alliance events and festivals.
• San Dieguito River Valley ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity collaborator for events and nature walks. Co-sponsors library programs and community events.
• Girl Scouts San DiegominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity collaborator for educational outreach programs and badge work.
• JIMBOs Carmel ValleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant frequent supporter through their 'Wooden Nickel' program benefiting Free Flight.
• Lazy Acres EncinitasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNatural foods store that provides refreshments for sanctuary events.
• Animal Environments BCbyCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated stainless steel enclosures for the flock. Major donor at $2,500+ tier.
• Ark AntiquesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosting Free Flight outreach events in their La Jolla shop. Major donor at $25,000+ tier.
• Painting and Vino / Erin SchroedercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerArtist partner hosting painting events at the sanctuary. 30% of event proceeds donated to Free Flight.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Parrot Education and Adoption Center (PEAC): Parrot-focused nonprofit offering adoption, education, and rehoming services. Direct peer in the parrot-specific sanctuary and education space with a comparable donor-supported nonprofit model.
• Bird Lovers Only Sanctuary (Apache Junction, AZ): Exotic bird rescue and sanctuary operating a no-kill, donor-supported model for parrots and other exotic birds. Direct peer in providing permanent shelter and rehoming services for companion parrots.
• Oasis Sanctuary (Paradise Valley, AZ): One of the largest parrot-specific sanctuaries in the U.S. providing permanent care for surrendered companion birds. Closest direct comparable to Free Flight in mission (parrot-focused sanctuary), not-for-profit model, and reliance on sponsorships and donations.
• FosterParrots / Wyndigo Sanctuary (Hope Valley, RI): Large parrot sanctuary offering permanent care and adoption for surrendered parrots. Comparable in service scope (sanctuary, adoption, education) and not-for-profit funding model.
• Phoenix Landing Wellness Sanctuary (Asheville, NC): Parrot sanctuary and adoption organization with rehoming, education, and direct-care services. Mission-aligned direct peer with a similar hybrid adoption + permanent sanctuary model supported by memberships and donations.
• The Gabriel Foundation (Englewood, CO): Parrot-specific nonprofit offering sanctuary, adoption, and educational programming. Directly comparable to Free Flight in offering rehoming/education services for companion parrots with a donor-supported operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (Kanab, UT): Large-scale nonprofit animal sanctuary with adoption, education, and donor-supported operations. Comparable operating model (nonprofit sanctuary funded by donations, sponsorships, and programs) but operates at significantly larger scale and broader species scope.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (San Diego, CA): Major regional zoological institution offering public animal exhibits, education, and conservation programming. Broader-incumbent peer with overlapping visitor-experience and education mission but a much larger portfolio and institutional scale.

Others

• San Diego Bird Alliance: San Diego-area bird conservation organization hosting education events and the San Diego Bird Festival. Ecosystem peer rather than direct competitor; shares Free Flight's bird-focused educational mission and audience.

Regional players

• Living Coast Discovery Center (Chula Vista, CA): San Diego-area nonprofit wildlife education center offering animal encounters and educational programs. Already a community partner of Free Flight; comparable in being a small, nonprofit, visitor-facing wildlife education attraction in the same regional market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/freeflightbirds
• Instagraminstagram.com/freeflightbirds
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/free-flight-exotic-bird-sanctuary

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary