Holliday Park Foundation

What Holliday Park Foundation does

Holliday Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 (originally as Friends of Holliday Park, rebranded in June 2020) that serves as the dedicated fundraising and programming partner for Holliday Park, a 94-acre urban park in Indianapolis. The foundation operates the park's Nature Center, the historic Ruins event venue, the Meridian Arch, playgrounds, trails, and a pavilion, hosting 200,000+ visitors annually and serving more than 1M cumulative Nature Center visitors over its lifetime. Its core assets are place-based: a fixed physical footprint in central Indianapolis under a stewardship relationship with Indy Parks, and a portfolio of heritage and recreational amenities that it preserves and programs.

The foundation's business model is a nonprofit hybrid of philanthropic contributions and earned revenue. Income streams include individual donations, planned giving, capital campaigns (including a $6M playground project in 2025 and a $1.5M Meridian Arch campaign), facility rentals (the Ruins, pavilion), and recreation programs such as an ice rink. Core institutional funding comes from Lilly Endowment and other foundation grants, supplemented by community partnerships with Junior League, Earth Charter Indiana, MashCraft Brewing, Winter Club of Indianapolis, and Our Hockey House. The organization runs on a lean staff of 7 employees, with its strategic activity centered on capital campaigns, heritage preservation, and programmatic expansion rather than technology development. There is no disclosed AI, software, or platform component; the foundation's intellectual property is essentially its brand, donor relationships, and stewardship role over the park's physical assets.

Name

Holliday Park Foundation

Legal name

Holliday Park Foundation

Website

https://hollidaypark.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Holliday Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1990 that fundraises for and programs a 94-acre urban park in Indianapolis, operating a Nature Center, historic Ruins venue, and recreation facilities serving 200,000+ annual visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Park Management & Environmental Education

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Educational Adventure Programs (Outdoor Education, Skill Development) (THAAAAAO), Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB)

Keywords

• Urban park management
• Environmental education
• Nature center operations
• Outdoor recreation programs
• Nonprofit park stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, monthly giving programs, and major capital campaigns fund park maintenance, improvements, and educational programming. Tax-deductible gifts under 501(c)(3).
2. Facility Rentals: Nature Center rooms, Pavilion, and Ruins available for rental for events, weddings, corporate retreats, and private gatherings. Hourly and daily rental rates.
3. Recreation Programs: Ice Rink admissions and season passes, day camps, environmental education field trips, scout programs, and skating lessons generate program revenue.
4. Planned Giving and Endowments: Estate planning vehicles including bequests, charitable gift annuities, beneficiary designations from retirement accounts and life insurance.
5. Capital Campaigns: Major fundraising initiatives for specific projects like the Meridian Arch ($1.5 million campaign) and playground renovation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Holliday Park Foundation operates and stewards a 94-acre urban public park in Indianapolis featuring a 13,000 sq ft Nature Center, 3.5+ miles of trails, the historic Ruins venue, and a nature-inspired playground. The Foundation runs environmental education programs (day camps, school field trips, scout badges, bilingual nature series, adult programs), operates a seasonal Ice Rink, and rents indoor and outdoor facilities for weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings. Revenue is generated through facility rentals, program fees, and a fundraising model driven by individual donations, monthly giving, planned giving, and capital campaigns.

Product overview

Holliday Park Foundation operates Holliday Park as a unified public park with interconnected facilities and programs. The core offering is the 94-acre park itself, which includes the Nature Center (facility with Habitat Hall exhibit space), the Nature Playground (2025 renovation), The Ruins (event venue), Pavilion (rental space), and over 3.5 miles of trails. The Foundation supports environmental education through programs including day camps, scout programs, environmental education field trips, bilingual nature series, and adult programs. Seasonal offerings include the Ice Rink (November-March). Revenue generation comes through facility rentals (Nature Center rooms, Ruins, Pavilion) and donations (one-time, monthly giving, planned giving, adopt programs). Capital projects include the Meridian Arch connectivity initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Day Camps Summer day camps for children offering hands-on nature exploration through nature lessons, hikes, healthy snacks, games, and crafts at Holliday Park.
• Environmental Education Field Trips Year-round and seasonal field trips for pre-K through 6th grade aligned with Indiana Academic Standards, plus extended field trip options and Classroom Connections outreach programs serving schools.
• Scout Programs Badge-fulfillment programs for Brownie Try-Its, Junior Girl Scout Badges, and Cub Scouts with hour-long indoor lessons and outdoor hands-on learning at $5 per scout.
• Bilingual Nature Series Bilingual (English/Spanish) guided nature walks led by bilingual naturalists, offered in 3-month series throughout the year, funded by Holliday Park Foundation in collaboration with Indy Parks and Earth Charter Indiana.
• Adult Programs and Tours Workshops, seminars and lectures on natural and cultural history designed for adults, including special event tours and fundraisers.
• Ice Rink at Holliday Park Seasonal ice skating rink operating November 28 through March 1 at Holliday Park Nature Center, offering public skating sessions, lessons, curling league, pond hockey, birthday parties, and corporate rentals.
• Indoor Facility Rental Nature Center rooms available for corporate retreats, birthday parties, and family reunions, including Auditorium ($120/hour, 75 capacity), Classrooms ($75/hour, 25 capacity each), and Library ($45/hour, 10 capacity).
• Ruins Rental Wedding ceremony and event venue at The Ruins, one of the most unique outdoor venues on Indy's north side, featuring expansive gardens, an interactive water feature, and gathering spaces.
• Pavilion Rental Covered open-air pavilion with shaded seating for 50 and three single-stall restrooms near the playground, available for private event rentals at $200 per day.
• Trail Run Annual fundraising trail run event featuring premier sponsors, event sponsors, and community supporters, with race day activities and Friday family events.
• Rock the Ruins Summer concert series held at The Ruins, serving as a major awareness and fundraising event driving donations for park maintenance and programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nature Center has served over 1 million visitors since 2000
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, moderate and core.

• Indianapolis Charter Bus RentalminorOthersRecommended charter bus service provider for groups visiting the park. Listed as a convenience option for visitors needing transportation to the park.
• GOGO ChartersminorOthersCharter bus rental provider recommended for visitor transportation to park events and programs.
• MashCraft BrewingmoderateOthersFood and beverage vendor at the Ice Rink, available Friday evening through Sunday. Provides concessions for ice skating visitors.
• Our Hockey HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides free hockey basics classes on Thursday nights at the Ice Rink. Partnership enhances winter programming offerings.
• Winter Club of IndianapolismoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides skating lessons at the Ice Rink during winter season. Classes meet Monday evenings and Saturday mornings, December through February.
• Earth Charter IndianamoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for the Bilingual Nature Series program, providing bilingual naturalist-led nature hikes in English and Spanish.
• Indy ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with City of Indianapolis Parks Department for park management, maintenance, and operations. Foundation provides fundraising, capital improvements, and programming support.
• Junior League of IndianapolismoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to fund field trips for local educators. Program covers program fees and transportation costs up to $500 for Marion County schools.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Eagle Creek Park Foundation: Indianapolis-area nonprofit that supports Eagle Creek Park, one of the largest urban parks in the U.S. Closest direct geographic peer — both are park-specific nonprofit foundations in Indianapolis running events, education, and fundraising for a major municipal park.
• The Trustees of Reservations: Massachusetts-based nonprofit that owns and manages 120+ properties of natural, scenic, and historical significance. Comparable as a conservation/parks nonprofit that operates public-facing outdoor sites, runs educational programming, and depends on donations and memberships.
• Newfields (Indianapolis Museum of Art): Indianapolis cultural institution combining art museum, gardens, and nature grounds. Comparable as an Indianapolis nonprofit cultural/educational venue running public programs, facility rentals (weddings, corporate events), and donor-funded capital projects.
• Conner Prairie (now Conner Prairie Museum): Indiana-based outdoor history museum and nature attraction that runs educational programs, events, and camps. Comparable as a regional nonprofit running paid programming (camps, school field trips, special events) at an outdoor campus supported by donations and earned revenue.
• Central Park Conservancy: Nonprofit foundation that manages and raises private funds for Central Park in NYC. Comparable as a parks-focused 501(c)(3) that funds capital improvements, programming, and stewardship of a major urban public park in partnership with a municipal parks department.

Others

• City Parks Alliance: National nonprofit that supports urban parks and the park-foundation partnership model across U.S. cities. Comparable as an industry/sector organization representing the park-foundation operating model that Holliday Park Foundation exemplifies.

Regional players

• Indianapolis Zoo: Indianapolis-based nonprofit zoo and aquarium offering educational programs, summer camps, and event rentals. Comparable as a peer Indianapolis nonprofit in nature education, camps, and venue rentals, though operating with much larger scale and budget.
• Indiana Wildlife Federation: Indiana statewide conservation nonprofit focused on habitat, education, and outdoor engagement. Comparable as a regional nonprofit running outdoor education programs and depending on donations and grants, though without operating a fixed park facility.
• White River State Park (Indiana State Parks): Indianapolis-based urban state park offering trails, attractions, and event space. Comparable as a peer Indianapolis park venue for outdoor recreation and events, though operated by the state rather than a private nonprofit foundation.

Broad incumbents

• Indy Parks (Indianapolis Department of Parks & Recreation): City of Indianapolis parks department that operates Holliday Park and other public parks. Comparable as the municipal partner and the broader parks system within which Holliday Park Foundation operates and competes for visitors and donor attention.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hollidayparkfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/holliday-park-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/hollidayparkfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Holliday Park Foundation