The Raptor Center
The Raptor Center, founded in 1974 at the University of Minnesota, operates the world's only dedicated raptor rehabilitation hospital, treating over 1,000 injured birds of prey annually and reaching 150,000+ people per year through on-site tours, virtual programs, off-site outreach, and the world's only raptor medicine veterinary residency.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersSt. Paul, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Raptor Center does
The Raptor Center, founded in 1974 within the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, operates the only specialized raptor rehabilitation hospital of its kind in the world from a 21,000-square-foot facility on the UMN St. Paul campus. It treats approximately 1,000 injured birds of prey annually (with a record 1,285 admissions in 2025 and over 34,000 cumulative patients since inception) and reaches more than 150,000 people per year through educational programming. The Center maintains roughly 25 non-releasable ambassador raptors for public education, runs the world's only veterinary residency program in raptor medicine, and conducts research on environmental contaminants (lead, PFAS, HPAI, rodenticides, West Nile virus) using satellite telemetry and longitudinal clinical datasets dating to 1976.
The Center's product portfolio spans clinical services, educational programs, and professional training. Core offerings include on-site guided tours ($5-$10 per person), off-site "Raptors To You" programs ($350+), virtual encounters ($50-$175), summer camps in partnership with UMN Recreation and Wellness, scout badge programs ($150+), and birthday parties ($260+). Professional training includes a 7-week avian orthopedics online course ($550), 2-day hands-on workshops ($1,000), Raptor Academy on Demand subscription content, plus 1-year internships, 2-4 week externships, and a 3-year combined residency with graduate study. Outreach extends through the Partners for Wildlife (P4W) program across a seven-state region.
The Center operates as a non-profit with revenue derived from individual donations (over 60% of annual budget, with nearly 100% of hospital operations donor-supported), grants (LCCMR, Cargill Foundation), and earned program fees. It maintains approximately 3,000 donors, two named endowments totaling over $1.5 million (PUF Raptor Professorship and Raptor Rehabilitation Endowment), and is supported by 300+ volunteers supplementing a 43-person staff. Distribution occurs through the physical facility, off-site outreach, virtual delivery, and partner channels, with go-to-market organized around direct-to-consumer, event-driven, and community-led motions.
The Raptor Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Raptor Center
- Legal name
- The Raptor Center
- Website
- https://raptor.umn.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Raptor Center, founded in 1974 at the University of Minnesota, operates the world's only dedicated raptor rehabilitation hospital, treating over 1,000 injured birds of prey annually and reaching 150,000+ people per year through on-site tours, virtual programs, off-site outreach, and the world's only raptor medicine veterinary residency.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Raptor Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Services
- NAICS
- Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Veterinary Services (54194)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release Centers (Public Viewing/Education) (THAAAFAC), Veterinary Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy Centers (HLAMACAK)
Keywords
Where The Raptor Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St. Paul
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Raptor Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Nearly 100% donor-supported hospital operations. Over 60% of annual budget comes from public donations. Individual donors, monthly sponsors, planned giving, and employer-matched gifts provide the majority of funding. Approximately 3,000 donors support the organization.
- Educational Programs and Tours: Revenue from on-site tours, off-site outreach programs, virtual encounters, summer camps, scout programs, birthday parties, and corporate events. Programs range from $50 virtual Zoomies to $1,000+ workshops.
- Professional Training and Workshops: Veterinary continuing education courses including 7-week online courses ($550), hands-on workshops ($1,000), and Raptor Academy membership subscriptions for raptor rehabilitation professionals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | General Tours - Adults |
| Unit Pricing | One time | General Tours - Children and Seniors |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Public Showtimes |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Raptor Encounters (Off-site) |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Meet and Greet Booth |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Raptor Zoomies Virtual |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Virtual Field Trip |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Raptor Encounters Virtual |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Hatchday Birthday Party |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Scout Badge Program |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Raptor Ambassador Care and Training - Part 1 |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Raptor Ambassador Care and Training - Part 2 |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Avian Orthopedics Online Course |
| Unit Pricing | One time | Raptor Orthopedics Hands-on Workshop |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Raptor Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Raptor Center rehabilitates injured and sick wild raptors (birds of prey) and works to conserve these species through medical care, public education, and applied research. It serves the general public with on-site learning opportunities and traveling raptor presentations, and serves veterinary professionals with specialized training in raptor medicine. As a unit within the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, it combines clinical wildlife services with outreach and conservation work.
Product overview
The Raptor Center, part of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, offers a comprehensive suite of wildlife rehabilitation and education services. The organization operates a world-renowned raptor hospital treating approximately 1,000 birds annually, paired with extensive education programs including on-site tours, virtual encounters, summer camps, and free K-8 classroom programs. Professional training opportunities include veterinary internships, externships, residencies, and specialized workshops in raptor orthopedics and ambassador bird care through Raptor Academy. The Center also maintains approximately 25 ambassador birds for outreach programs and supports wildlife rehabilitators across seven states through its Partners for Wildlife (P4W) initiative.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Partners for Wildlife (P4W): A program dedicated to improving animal welfare across seven states (Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) by working with wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians.
- Raptor Academy
Products and services
- Raptor Rehabilitation Program Clinical care, treatment, and rehabilitation services for injured, sick, and orphaned wild raptors (birds of prey); intended for the public and referring wildlife partners who need specialty veterinary care for these species.
- On-site Educational Tours and Visits Guided on-site visits and educational experiences at the St. Paul facility, where visitors see live raptors and learn about raptor biology, conservation, and veterinary care; intended for families, school groups, and general public visitors.
- Raptors To You (traveling/outreach presentations) Traveling raptor presentations delivered off-site at schools, community events, festivals, fairs, and corporate events, featuring live birds of prey and educational narration; intended for K-12 schools, community groups, and corporate/private event clients.
- Raptor Medicine Training for Veterinary Professionals Continuing education and specialty training courses in raptor medicine, handling, and rehabilitation techniques for veterinarians, veterinary students, and wildlife professionals, delivered through the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Raptor Conservation Research Applied research activities focused on raptor health, conservation, and wildlife medicine; supports academic, conservation, and veterinary knowledge development through the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 34,000 raptors treated and rehabilitated since 1974
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Raptor Center
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
The Raptor Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature4 records
The Raptor Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of Minnesota Recreation and WellnesscorePartnership for summer youth programs including Enraptured with Raptors, Soaring with Raptors, Raptor Biomimicry and Engineering, and Raptor Myth and Legends camps. Registration and payment handled through RECWELL.
- Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD)minorPartnership camps including Creatures from the Cretaceous to the Present (Paleoart) and Get Wild (Nature Inspired Art) for youth ages 6-12. Includes live raptor interaction sessions.
- Richardson Nature CenterminorCollaborative Raptors: Birds of Prey Camp with Three Rivers Park District. First day at Richardson Nature Center, second day includes field trip to TRC with bus transportation provided.
- Hawk Ridge Bird ObservatorycoreResearch partnership investigating PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination in raptors. Collaborative effort to understand environmental contaminants affecting bird populations.
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of MinnesotacorePartners for Wildlife (P4W) internship rotation partner. Interns rotate between TRC and WRC, providing diverse wildlife rehabilitation experience. WRC is a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation center serving the upper Midwest.
- Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin FoundationminorTRC consulted on mitigation plan to protect Galapagos hawks during invasive rat eradication project on ten small islands in Galapagos.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Raptor Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Raptor Center social profiles
Digital presenceThe Raptor Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Raptor Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Raptor Center subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The Raptor Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Raptor Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Raptor Center
What does The Raptor Center do?
The Raptor Center rehabilitates injured and sick wild raptors (birds of prey) and works to conserve these species through medical care, public education, and applied research. It serves the general public with on-site learning opportunities and traveling raptor presentations, and serves veterinary professionals with specialized training in raptor medicine. As a unit within the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, it combines clinical wildlife services with outreach and conservation work.
Is The Raptor Center a public or private company?
The Raptor Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Raptor Center founded?
The Raptor Center was founded in 1974. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Raptor Center based?
The Raptor Center is headquartered in St. Paul, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Raptor Center make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are educational Programs and Tours and professional Training and Workshops.
Does The Raptor Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Raptor Center.
What industry is The Raptor Center in?
The Raptor Center's product category is Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAIAC, Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release, with a secondary code of THAAAFAC, Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release Centers (Public Viewing/Education). Its NAICS code is 71213.