Rebild National Park Society Inc.

What Rebild National Park Society Inc. does

Rebild National Park Society Inc. (Rebildselskabet), founded in 1912, is a non-profit Danish-American friendship association headquartered at the historic Hyldgaardsminde building in Rebild Bakker near Aalborg, Denmark, with a US Corporate Secretary office in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. It is the first Danish-American friendship organization and operates the annual Rebild Festival — recognized as the oldest and largest July 4th celebration outside the United States — held each year since 1912 in Rebild Bakker, Denmark's first national park. The organization is operated by a small professional secretariat of approximately six employees (Generalsekretær Mette Bugge, Projektleder Michael Lynderup Kjeldsen, and US Corporate Secretary Linda Steffensen) under a Board of Directors chaired by President Jørgen Bech Madsen, with US Vice President Lisa Steen Riggs. There is no proprietary technology, software platform, or AI component — operations are entirely event-driven and community-led.

The Society maintains a transatlantic chapter network of three Danish chapters (Nord, Midt-Vest, East) and 13 US chapters spanning major metropolitan areas, plus a US Corporate Secretary office, generating year-round community touchpoints beyond the single annual festival. The affiliated Rebildfonden foundation awards scholarships of 20,000–24,000 DKK to Danish and American students for cross-Atlantic study, supported by partnerships with Aalborg University, the University of Southern Denmark, Grand View University, ASSE, EF, YFU, and Rotary Danmark.

Revenue is generated through a diversified portfolio: tiered annual memberships (250 DKK Under 25 / 450 DKK Personal / 650 DKK Household / 5,000 DKK Company / 10,000 DKK Lifetime, with USD alternatives), ticketed ancillary events around the festival (Tent Luncheon, Gala Dinner, Summer Party), a five-tier corporate sponsorship program (Max Henius Idealists, W.S. Knudsen, Jacob Riis, Victor Borge, Friends of the Rebild Festival) with sponsors including Fibertex Nonwovens, Spar Nord, Comwell Hotels, DSV, Aalborg Kommune, and EGE Tæpper, 500 DKK state flag sponsorships, and merchandise (the bilingual 'Rebild Bakker' book and inscribed memorial pavers). Membership recruitment runs through the website (rebildfesten.dk), chapter activities, and word-of-mouth at events; revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Rebild National Park Society Inc.

Legal name

Rebild National Park Society

Website

https://rebildfesten.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rebild National Park Society Inc., founded 1912, is a non-profit Danish-American friendship organization operating the oldest and largest July 4th celebration outside the USA through an annual festival, 16 chapters across Denmark and the US, scholarships, and tiered memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Friendship Association

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural & Community Festivals (Ticketed) (THAJAFAI)

Keywords

• Cultural friendship association
• Festival event management
• Community membership programs
• Educational exchange scholarships
• Heritage preservation organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Rebild Bakker

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership fees in multiple tiers: Under 25 years (250 kr), Personal (450 kr), Household (650 kr), Company (5,000 kr), Lifetime (10,000 kr). English pricing in USD also listed as alternative (USD 35, 65, 95, 500, 1500 respectively). Members receive free access to Rebild Festival, the Rebild Newsletter, invitations to chapter events, and the book 'Rebild Bakker' as a welcome gift.
2. Event ticketing: Revenue from ticket sales for the Tent Luncheon (teltfrokost), Gala Dinner, Summer Party, and other ancillary events around the Rebild Festival. Festival admission is free but requires registration. Tent Luncheon and Gala are ticketed events.
3. Corporate sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship packages at multiple tiers (Max Henius Idealists, W.S. Knudsen, Jacob Riis, Victor Borge, Friends of the Rebild Festival). Each tier offers different levels of logo visibility, flag sponsorship opportunities, and event access. Sponsors include Fibertex Nonwovens, Spar Nord, Comwell Hotels, DSV, Aalborg Kommune, and many others.
4. Flag sponsorship: Individual American state flags can be sponsored for 500 kr each. Sponsor names are displayed on the flags along the path to the hills during the July 4th celebration.
5. Merchandise (book, pavers): Sale of the book 'Rebild Bakker' at 100 kr plus shipping, and inscribed memorial pavers at the entrance to Rebild Hills.
6. Pavers with inscription: Memorial pavers with optional inscription (max 56 characters) placed at the entrance to Rebild Hills as a long-lasting tribute.
7. Rebildfonden scholarships (funding mechanism, not revenue): Rebildfonden provides scholarships to young Danes studying in the USA and Americans studying in Denmark. This is a disbursement mechanism (funded by donations/endowments), not a revenue stream. Recipients receive grants of 20,000–24,000 DKK. The fund is separate from the Society's operating budget.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Rebild National Park Society Inc. operates the annual Rebild Festival — the largest and oldest July 4th (U.S. Independence Day) celebration outside the United States — held each year in Rebild Bakker, North Jutland, Denmark since 1912. The organization sustains the celebration through a tiered annual membership program, a network of 16 local chapters (3 in Denmark, 13 in the US), educational scholarships administered through the affiliated Rebildfonden, and ancillary offerings including tent luncheons, gala dinners, sponsored state flags, inscribed memorial pavers, and a published book documenting the society's history.

Product overview

Rebild National Park Society operates as a Danish-American friendship organization offering a portfolio of cultural and educational products and services. The core offering is the annual Rebild Festival (July 4th celebration), supported by membership programs, local chapters, and publications. The organization provides educational scholarships through Rebildfonden for cross-Atlantic study programs. Additional offerings include commemorative items (sponsored state flags, inscribed pavers) and the 'Rebild Bakker' book publication. The Society connects Danish and American communities through events, chapters, and educational exchange programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rebild Festival Annual Danish-American celebration held on July 4th (U.S. Independence Day) in Rebild Bakker, Denmark, featuring the largest 4th of July celebration outside the United States. Includes the main festival, Tent Luncheon, Gala Dinner, and various cultural events; targeted at members and the general public.
• Membership Program Annual membership offering free access to the Rebild Festival, subscriptions to the Rebild Newsletter and 'The 4th' newsletter, invitations to local chapter events, and a complimentary copy of the book 'Rebild Bakker'. Available in individual, household, company, and lifetime tiers.
• Rebildfonden Scholarship Scholarship program of approximately DKK 20,000–24,000 per recipient supporting young Danes studying in the USA and Americans studying in Denmark for university-level study of at least one semester.
• Rebild Bakker Book Hardcover book (264 pages, 23.5x24 cm) telling the history of Rebild Hills and the Rebild Festival, including the story of Danish emigration to America and the founding of the celebration by Max Henius in 1912. Available in Danish and English; sold at DKK 100 plus shipping and given to new members.
• Rebild Newsletter Biannual newsletter publication keeping members informed about Rebild Festival activities, cultural events, and Danish-American relations, complemented by a separate 'The 4th' newsletter.
• State Flag Sponsorship Sponsorship program allowing individuals and companies to sponsor American state flags displayed during the Rebild Festival, with the sponsor's name displayed on the flag at DKK 500 per flag.
• Paver with Inscription Commemorative stone purchase program allowing supporters to place inscribed pavers at the entrance to Rebild Bakker with personalized messages of up to 56 characters.
• Rebild Chapter Network Local chapter network spanning Denmark and the United States, with chapters organizing their own local events (company visits, lectures, trips, dinners) and providing year-round community touchpoints. Members are automatically assigned to a local chapter based on geography.
• Tent Luncheon and Gala Dinner Ticketed Events Ticketed ancillary events held around the annual Rebild Festival, including the Tent Luncheon (Teltfrokost), Gala Dinner, and Summer Party, in addition to the free main July 4th celebration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400,000 visitors annually to Rebild Bakker
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aalborg Universitet (Aalborg University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAalborg University collaborates with Rebild National Park Society on educational outreach and promotion of Danish-American cultural exchange. The university is listed as a cooperating partner on the society's education and studies page.
• Syddansk Universitet (University of Southern Denmark)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSyddansk Universitet (SDU) is described as the leading Danish university for American studies, offering a 360-degree understanding of American affairs. SDU collaborates with Rebild in promoting educational exchange between Denmark and the USA.
• Grand View UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, partners with Rebild as a cooperating institution for American students studying in Denmark. The university offers bachelor's and master's degrees and hosts diverse student bodies.
• ASSE Danmark (ASSE International Student Exchange Programs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASSE International Student Exchange Programs, founded in 1938, partners with Rebild to facilitate student exchange between Denmark and the USA. ASSE offers High School programs, Go Campus university programs, au pair programs, and summer programs in California. Rebild promotes ASSE exchange opportunities to its members and community.
• EF (Education First)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEF is an international education organization partnered with Rebild to promote study abroad and exchange programs between Denmark and the USA. EF is listed as a cooperating exchange organization on Rebild's education page.
• YFU (Youth for Understanding)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYFU (Youth for Understanding) is a youth exchange organization partnered with Rebild to facilitate international student exchange. YFU is listed as a cooperating exchange organization on Rebild's education page.
• Rotary DanmarkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRotary Danmark collaborates with Rebild National Park Society on youth exchange and educational programs. Rotary is listed as a cooperating exchange organization on Rebild's education page.
• RebildfondencoreOthersRebildfonden is a separate foundation administered by the Rebild National Park Society that provides scholarships to young Danes studying in the USA and Americans studying in Denmark. The foundation merged three prior funds (Diana & Irene's Foundation, William S. Knudsen & Clara Elisabeth Knudsen Rebild Foundation, and the 1000$ Foundation). It awards grants of approximately 20,000-24,000 DKK per recipient.
• Rebild Chapter network (3 Danish + 13 US chapters)coreOthersThe society has 3 chapters in Denmark (Chapter Nord, Chapter Midt-Vest, Chapter East) and 13 chapters in the United States (Chicago Midwest, Delaware Valley, Heartland, Kentucky, New York Metropolitan, San Francisco Bay, Seattle, Solvang, Southern California, Upper Midwest, Utah, Arizona, and more). Chapters operate their own local boards, organize events, and serve as the society's primary community touchpoints year-round.
• Southern California Rebild Chapter (host of 2025 Annual Meeting)minorOthersThe Southern California Rebild Chapter, together with the Danish Church and Cultural Center in Yorba Linda, hosted the 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. The chapter organized tours, member meetings, and social events for the gathering.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tivoli Gardens: Historic Copenhagen amusement park and event operator with ticketed cultural programming year-round. Broader incumbent: a much larger Danish cultural-entertainment institution combining ticketed admission, events, and sponsorship — illustrating the upper bound of cultural event monetization in Denmark.

Regional players

• Solvang Visitors Bureau: The tourism organization for "Denmark-themed" Solvang, California. Comparable as a U.S.-side Danish cultural/heritage destination hub for the same community the Rebild Society reaches through its Southern California chapter.

Direct peers

• Museum of Danish America: Located in Elk Horn, Iowa, this is the largest U.S. museum dedicated to Danish-American immigration heritage. Closest direct peer: also a nonprofit preserving and presenting the same Danish-American emigrant story that anchors the Rebild Festival and its 300,000-emigrant narrative.
• American-Scandinavian Foundation: New York-based nonprofit founded 1911 to advance U.S.-Scandinavian cultural and educational exchange, including scholarships and cultural programming. Most analogous peer given overlapping Danish-American educational mission, scholarships, and centenary heritage.
• Vasa Order of America: Swedish-American heritage and friendship organization operating with local lodges across the U.S. Direct peer: Nordic-diaspora friendship nonprofit with a similar lodge/chapter structure and dues-funded operating model.
• Danish American Society of Wisconsin: Wisconsin-based Danish-American cultural nonprofit hosting recurring events, language classes, and social gatherings. Direct peer: same nationality focus and chapter-style engagement model in the U.S. Midwest.
• Danish American Center (Minneapolis): A Minnesota-based Danish-American cultural and community nonprofit hosting events, classes, and social gatherings. Directly comparable: same Danish-American community-building mission, similar membership/event model, and a comparable cross-Atlantic audience.
• Danish Cultural Center (Yorba Linda, CA): A Danish-American cultural and church institution in Southern California that co-hosted Rebild's 2025 San Diego Annual Meeting. Comparable as a Danish heritage community anchor in the same geographic segment Rebild reaches via its U.S. chapters.
• Sons of Norway: U.S.-based fraternal/cultural nonprofit serving the Norwegian-American diaspora with a lodge/chapter system, cultural programming, and membership tiers. Functionally the closest analogous organization: foreign-heritage friendship society sustained by chapters, dues, and an annual convention.

Others

• Naturstyrelsen (Danish Nature Agency) visitor sites: Danish state agency that operates Denmark's national parks, including Rebild Bakker. Adjacent peer — not a competitive organization but the institutional operator of the site where Rebild Society programs its flagship festival, making it the natural partner/landlord relationship.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHVHqWzEN3DZym-d1aOQGWA
• Facebookfacebook.com/399385496774542
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rebildnationalparksociety
• Instagraminstagram.com/rebild_national_park_society

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 Rebild National Park Society Inc.