Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation

What Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation does

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to support the City of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Department through fundraising, gift acceptance, and resource provision. The foundation operates programs including FLOW (outdoor education for underrepresented youth), Students on the Swim (free Red Cross-certified swim lessons for Title I school second-graders), Community Care Fund scholarships, and sponsorship programs (Bench Buddies, Tree Buddies, Bike Buddies, Parks Plus) that connect donors to specific park improvements. It also partners with civic leagues, Trust for Public Land, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, AARP, and Patagonia on conservation and access initiatives.

The foundation's revenue model is diversified across individual and corporate donations processed via Donorbox, an annual golf tournament that has cumulatively raised over $65,000, merchandise sales through the Bonfire online store, and ancillary fee-for-service streams including self-service kayak rentals via Rent.Fun kiosks at Munden Point Park and pavilion rentals. Pricing on ancillary services is modest and usage-based (kayak rentals at $25 per two hours with $99/year unlimited memberships; pavilion rentals ranging $140-$800). The foundation does not charge for core services and explicitly positions itself as filling funding gaps not covered by taxpayer dollars.

Operationally, the foundation leverages its parent municipal department's infrastructure of 200+ parks, 7 recreation centers, and 300+ miles of bikeways and trails serving Virginia Beach's 400,000+ residents. Technology consists of third-party SaaS integrations: Active Network for program registration, Constant Contact for newsletters, and the VB ParkFinder mobile app for park discovery. The foundation has no proprietary technology, patents, or AI/ML capabilities, and it does not publicly disclose financial information. Recognized externally through the parent department's 2023 NRPA National Gold Medal Award and CAPRA accreditation, the foundation operates as a fundraising and community-program delivery layer rather than a technology or product company.

Name

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation

Legal name

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation

Website

https://vbprf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises charitable funds and operates programs supporting the City of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Department, including youth outdoor education, scholarships, and donor-funded park enhancements across a 200+ park system.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Parks and Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI), Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Community recreation services
• Parks foundation fundraising
• Recreation center programs
• Youth outdoor education
• Nonprofit parks support

Headquarters

HQ city

Virginia Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation raises funds through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and charitable contributions to support Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation programs, services, facilities, and technology enhancements.
2. Golf Tournament Fundraiser: Annual golf tournament generating revenue for foundation programs. To date, over $65,000 has been raised and used to fund ongoing programs.
3. Merchandise Sales: Proceeds from shirts sold at VBPRF's online store (Bonfire) help support parks and recreation programs and initiatives not funded by taxpayer dollars.
4. Kayak Rentals: Self-service kayak rentals at Munden Point Park and Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area through vending machine-style kiosks, with hourly rates and unlimited rental memberships available.
5. Program Fees (Community Care Fund Scholarships): Scholarship opportunities funded through the Community Care Fund to help families participate in recreational programs and recreation center memberships.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds through donations, corporate sponsorships, and charitable contributions to support Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation programs, services, facilities, and technology enhancements. The Foundation administers programs such as FLOW (outdoor education), Students on the Swim (free swim lessons), Bench Buddies, Tree Buddies, Bike Buddies, Community Care Fund scholarships, and Parks Plus neighborhood improvements, while supporting a system of seven recreation centers, over 200 parks, and 300+ miles of bikeways and trails.

Product overview

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation supports a comprehensive parks and recreation system operated by the City of Virginia Beach. The core offering consists of seven recreation centers (Bayside, Bow Creek, Great Neck, Kempsville, Princess Anne, Seatack, Williams Farm) with fitness and aquatics facilities, over 200 city parks including signature destinations like Mount Trashmore Park (165 acres featuring landfill-to-park transformation), and an extensive bikeways and trails network spanning 169+ miles. The Foundation as a nonprofit supports enhancement programs including FLOW (outdoor education), Students on the Swim (water safety), Bench/Tree/Bike Buddies memorial programs, Community Care Fund scholarships, and Parks Plus neighborhood improvements. Digital offerings include the VB ParkFinder mobile app for park discovery and Active Communities for program registration. The system also includes child care services, sports leagues, fitness programs, therapeutic recreation, and special events throughout the year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FLOW (Fostering Love for the Outdoors & Wildlife): Program that connects underrepresented youth to nature through hands-on field trips and guided outdoor experiences.
• Students on the Swim
• Bench Buddies
• Tree Buddies
• Bike Buddies
• Community Care Fund
• Parks Plus

Products and services

• FLOW (Fostering Love for the Outdoors & Wildlife)

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ benches installed throughout the park system
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Trust for Public LandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to preserve Pleasure House Point Natural Area (122 acres) instead of high-density development. VBPRF served as the designated 501(c)(3) organization to receive funds for improvements to the natural area.
• Chesapeake Bay FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to preserve Pleasure House Point Natural Area. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has its Brock Environmental Center on a 10-acre parcel adjoining the city's property at Pleasure House Point.
• National Association of Park FoundationsminorOthersVBPRF is a member of NAPF, connecting with other park foundations nationally
• Lynnhaven River NowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency for the Reese F. Lukei Jr. Raptor Trail network dedicated to raptor conservation and wildlife education.
• The Center for Conservation Biology at College of William and MaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency for Reese F. Lukei Jr. Raptor Trail. Reese Lukei has been a volunteer research associate with the center since 1991, monitoring eagle and osprey populations.
• Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency for Reese F. Lukei Jr. Raptor Trail, part of the trail network with raptor observation opportunities.
• Virginia Department of Conservation and RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency for Reese F. Lukei Jr. Raptor Trail, collaborating on conservation efforts.
• US Fish and Wildlife ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency for Reese F. Lukei Jr. Raptor Trail, involved in wildlife conservation and habitat protection.
• Wild River OutfittersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on environmental and water safety signage installation at six waterway access locations around the city.
• PatagoniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on environmental and water safety signage project at waterway access locations.
• AARPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAARP sponsored FitLot outdoor fitness park at Williams Farm Park as part of their 60th Anniversary initiative to build 53 outdoor fitness parks nationwide.
• Virginia Beach Civic LeaguescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThrough the Parks Plus program, civic leagues partner with the foundation to improve city-owned parks, with the foundation handling charitable donations and establishing specific accounts for projects.
• Local Businesses and OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal businesses partner through programs like Bench Buddies, Tree Buddies, Bike Buddies, and Parks Plus to support park improvements and gain exposure.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• San Francisco Parks Alliance: Nonprofit that serves as the philanthropic partner to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. Directly comparable in mission, partnership structure, and capital-campaign-driven funding model.
• Fairmount Park Conservancy: Philadelphia's 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, funding park improvements, programs, and events. Highly comparable business model of raising private dollars to supplement municipal parks operations.
• City Parks Foundation: New York City-based 501(c)(3) that raises private funds to support NYC Parks programming, capital projects, and community programs. Closest structural analog to VBPRF — a dedicated nonprofit fundraising arm for a major municipal parks system.
• Piedmont Park Conservancy: Atlanta-based nonprofit that funds and operates programs at Piedmont Park in partnership with the city. Comparable in executing capital improvements, memberships, and programming on municipally-owned land.
• Seattle Parks Foundation: Independent nonprofit that mobilizes private funding to expand Seattle Parks and Recreation's reach. Operates with a similar model of community-driven fundraising for municipal park programs and equity initiatives.
• Park Pride: Atlanta nonprofit that engages communities to activate parks across the city through grants, programming, and volunteer support. Closely comparable to VBPRF's community-based program model including FLOW and Community Care Fund.

Others

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation and creating parks in cities. VBPRF partners with TPL on Pleasure House Point; TPL serves as an enabling/advisory peer rather than a direct fundraiser for municipal parks.
• National Recreation and Park Association: Industry association that issues the Gold Medal Award and CAPRA accreditation VBPRF's parent department has earned. VBPRF is a NAPF member; NRPA is the sector's trade body rather than a direct fundraising peer.

Regional players

• Greensboro Parks Foundation: Regional nonprofit supporting Greensboro, NC parks. Operates with a comparable small-staff foundation model serving a mid-size municipal system in a different geographic market.
• Greater Houston Parks Foundation: Houston-area nonprofit that supports park improvements and youth recreation programming across the region. Structurally similar foundation model but serves a different metropolitan geography than VBPRF.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VBParksRec
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/VBParksRec
• Facebookfacebook.com/VBPRF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virginia-beach-parks-&-recreation-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/vbpr_foundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Foundation