Mass Parks For All

What Mass Parks For All does

Mass Parks For All (MPA) is a statewide non-partisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization, founded in May 2023 and headquartered in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. MPA is the only statewide nonprofit in Massachusetts whose sole mission is to renew, expand, and connect the 500,000-acre state park system managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The organization mobilizes a coalition of more than 200 vetted park friends groups, environmental organizations, and active-mobility advocates to influence state budget and policy outcomes for parks, forests, beaches, trails, pools, and fields. MPA's policy agenda includes the Public Lands Preservation Act, the Nature for Massachusetts ballot initiative, the Mass Ready Act environmental bond bill, and the Connect initiative linking state parks via trails and pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure.

MPA does not sell commercial products or services and has no proprietary technology platform; its deliverables consist of legislative testimony, coalition convenings (e.g., Environmental Bond Bill Summit, Focus on the Friends meet-ups), newsletters, a Friends database, public events (Fall Fundraiser, Park Serve Day, First Day Hikes), and educational resources such as fact sheets and blog content. Revenue is generated through tax-deductible individual donations and grants from foundations, with the Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation identified as the primary institutional funder providing challenge grants matching donations up to $25,000 and renewed two-year funding in July 2024. The organization is governed by a board of directors, led by Executive Director Doug Pizzi, Assistant Executive Director Kat Powers, and Board Co-chair Michele Hanss, and operates with approximately five part-time staff.

Name

Mass Parks For All

Legal name

Mass Parks For All

Website

https://massparksforall.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Mass Parks For All is a Massachusetts statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advocates to renew, expand, and connect the 500,000-acre DCR state park system by mobilizing a coalition of 200+ park friends groups and influencing state budget and policy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Advocacy Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

Keywords

• State parks advocacy
• Public lands conservation
• Nonprofit advocacy organization
• Environmental coalition building
• Park funding advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Jamaica Plain

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Mass Parks For All generates revenue through tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations, as well as grant funding from foundations such as the Lawrence & Lillian Solomon Foundation. The Solomon Foundation has provided challenge grants that match donations up to $25,000.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mass Parks For All is a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization that campaigns for increased public funding, policy support, and equitable access for Massachusetts' 500,000-acre state park system managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. It mobilizes a coalition of 200+ park friends groups and environmental organizations to advocate for the legislative and budgetary priorities organized under three pillars: Renew (state funding and maintenance), Expand (open space in gateway cities and environmental justice communities), and Connect (trail and pedestrian/bike linkages between parks). The organization raises funds through tax-deductible donations and foundation grants to support its lobbying, coalition-building, and public-education work.

Product overview

Mass Parks For All is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) advocacy organization, not a product or technology company. It does not offer commercial products, software, or technology services. Its activities consist of advocacy campaigns, organizing park friends groups, publishing educational resources, facilitating community events (such as First Day Hikes and Park Serve Day), operating a newsletter subscription service, and providing online maps linking to external Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) resources. The organization serves as a coalition builder and policy advocate for Massachusetts state parks rather than a provider of proprietary products or services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• State Park Advocacy and Coalition-Building Services Statewide nonprofit advocacy services for Massachusetts state parks, including legislative testimony, budget advocacy, coalition organizing among 200+ friends groups, and public education campaigns organized under the Renew, Expand, and Connect pillars. Serves Massachusetts legislators, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, environmental justice communities, and the general public.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helped secure 3.5% increase in DCR operations budget for FY2026, beating the 3.0% inflation rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

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

• Mass Conservation VoterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPA's parent organization - the advocacy arm of the statewide parks nonprofit. MCV was part of the coalition that passed the Public Lands Preservation Act.
• Environmental Bond Bill CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide coalition of environmental groups advocating for increased DCR funding in the Mass Ready Act environmental bond bill. MPA is a member seeking $787 million for general parks projects and $400 million for parkways.
• Nature for Massachusetts CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition supporting the Nature for Massachusetts Act and Protect Water and Nature Initiative ballot question to divert sales tax on sporting goods to conservation funding. Could generate $100 million annually.
• MassBikemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassachusetts bicycle advocacy organization. MPA works with MassBike on connecting state parks with bike and walking trails as part of the Connect goal.
• StreetsblogMASSmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMassachusetts transportation advocacy organization focused on pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Partner in MPA's trail connectivity efforts.
• Bike to the SeamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBicycle advocacy organization working on off-road bicycle paths. Partner in MPA's goal to connect state parks with trails.
• WalkMassachusettsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPedestrian advocacy organization. Partner in MPA's efforts to improve pedestrian access to state parks.
• LivableStreetsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransportation advocacy organization. Partner in MPA's trail connectivity and pedestrian access initiatives.
• Norwottuck Network / Mass Central Rail Trail CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working to complete the 104-mile Mass Central Rail Trail by 2035. MPA is a member advocating for trail connectivity between state parks.
• Olmsted Network (formerly NAOP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization for Olmsted parks co-founded by MPA board member Betsy Shure Gross. Works on restoration and preservation of Olmsted-designed parks.
• Boston Harbor NowmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization working on Boston Harbor Islands. Kathy Abbott, President and CEO, serves as MPA advisory board member.
• Friends of the Blue HillsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 200+ park friends groups in MPA's network. Listed in the Friends of the Friends section of MPA's website.
• Friends of Middlesex FellsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPark friends group in MPA's network working on preservation and access to Middlesex Fells Reservation.
• Public LandsminorOthersListed as a partner organization with linked logo on MPA website.
• City Parks AllianceminorOthersNational parks organization with linked logo on MPA website.
• EversourceminorOthersListed as a partner with linked logo on MPA website.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit working to conserve land and create parks. Comparable in mission (park creation/conservation) but operates at national scale and does not focus exclusively on Massachusetts state parks like MPA does.
• City Parks Alliance: National cross-city parks advocacy organization and listed MPA partner. Comparable advocacy mission for urban/municipal park funding but operates across many cities rather than a single state.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation organization with active Massachusetts operations, including land acquisition and policy advocacy. Comparable mission area (conservation of natural lands) but operates at global scale with a much larger footprint than MPA.
• Sierra Club: One of the largest U.S. environmental advocacy organizations with chapters in Massachusetts. Comparable as an environmental advocacy nonprofit engaging in Massachusetts legislative work, though much broader in scope than MPA's parks focus.
• National Parks Conservation Association: National advocacy organization for national parks with 1.6M members. Comparable advocacy model (nonprofit park advocacy + legislative engagement) but focused on federal National Park Service rather than state park systems.

Direct peers

• Environmental League of Massachusetts: Statewide environmental advocacy organization that lobbies the Massachusetts legislature on climate, parks, and environmental justice. Comparable as a MA-based nonprofit doing legislative advocacy on environmental funding, often in coalition with MPA.
• Conservation Law Foundation: New England-based environmental advocacy organization using legal and policy tools to advance conservation. Comparable as a regional environmental advocacy nonprofit active in Massachusetts policy and coalition work.
• Mass Audubon: Massachusetts' largest conservation nonprofit, protecting 38,000+ acres of land and wildlife habitat. Comparable as a statewide, mission-driven Massachusetts environmental/conservation nonprofit that mobilizes members for advocacy and stewardship.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: Northeast-based outdoor recreation and conservation nonprofit active across New England. Comparable as a regional conservation organization focused on trails, parks, and outdoor recreation infrastructure in Massachusetts.
• The Trustees of Reservations: Massachusetts' oldest land conservation nonprofit, stewarding 120+ properties across the state. Comparable as a MA-focused conservation organization that engages in advocacy, public access, and stewardship of public-facing natural lands.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MassParksForAll
• Facebookfacebook.com/massparksforall
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/massparksforall
• Instagraminstagram.com/massparksforall

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Mass Parks For All