What Save the Dunes does

Save the Dunes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental conservation organization founded in 1952 by Dorothy Richardson Buell and headquartered in Michigan City, Indiana. The organization protects the Indiana dunes along Lake Michigan's southern shore through four integrated program areas: conservation, advocacy, community engagement, and education. Its service area covers Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties in Northwest Indiana, and its stakeholders include local residents, park visitors, corporate partners, foundations, and government agencies at the municipal, state, and federal levels. Save the Dunes is broadly credited with establishing Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (1972) and lobbying for its redesignation as Indiana Dunes National Park (2019), and it maintains durable legal standing through the Public Trust Doctrine to defend public shoreline access.

The organization operates a portfolio of mission-aligned revenue and engagement programs rather than technology products. Membership is offered in six annual tiers ranging from Individual ($40) to Coastal Champion ($1,000), with members receiving legal standing in court for advocacy matters. Additional revenue and engagement streams include individual donations, corporate and foundation partnerships (NIPSCO, Cleveland-Cliffs, BP, McDougal Family Foundation, National Park Foundation, John W. Anderson Foundation, Donnelley Foundation, among others), National Park pass sales ($25–$80), merchandise, Barker House event rentals ($50–$200/hour), planned giving through the Dunes Legacy Society, and event fundraising via the Jammin with Save the Dunes music festival and Dunes Dash 5K. Educational outputs include the three-volume Living in the Dunes homeowner guide series, environmental factsheets, and conservation action plans, all distributed as free downloadable PDFs.

Save the Dunes employs a small staff (1–10 full-time) and pursues a community-led go-to-market motion through volunteer programs, hikes, educational presentations, and signature events. Primary distribution channels are the savedunes.org website, an email newsletter, social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), the Barker House headquarters (a National Historic Landmark), retail partners Over Yonder and Market on 12, and formal partnerships with the National Park Service, Indiana Dunes State Park, and Shirley Heinze Land Trust. The competitive position is anchored by 70+ years of operating history, regulatory wins (the 2018 Gunderson Public Trust Doctrine ruling, codified by House Enrolled Act 1385 in 2020), and a deep stakeholder ecosystem that would be difficult for a new entrant to replicate.

Name

Save the Dunes

Legal name

Save the Dunes

Website

https://savedunes.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Save the Dunes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1952 that protects Indiana's Lake Michigan dunes through conservation, advocacy, education, and community engagement, serving residents, visitors, and partners across Northwest Indiana's Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Nonprofit

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation
• Nonprofit land stewardship
• Habitat restoration
• Dune preservation advocacy
• Community engagement programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Michigan City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide critical funding for land preservation, habitat restoration, advocacy efforts, and legal standing in court. Membership tiers range from Individual ($40) to Household ($60) to premium Dunes Club levels up to $1,000.
2. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting conservation work, accessible via online donation form, phone, or mail.
3. Corporate & Foundation Partnerships: Corporate partners and foundations provide financial support, volunteer power, in-kind support, and funding for conservation projects. Partners include McDougal Family Foundation, National Park Foundation, NIPSCO, Cleveland-Cliffs, BP, and others.
4. National Park Pass Sales: Sell National Park passes including 7-Day ($25), Annual ($45), and America the Beautiful ($80) passes. Proceeds support both National Park operations and Save the Dunes programs.
5. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, caps), accessories (stickers, magnets, ornaments), and specialty items like 70th Anniversary prints.
6. Barker House Event Rentals: Private event rentals of the historic Barker House headquarters for meetings, retreats, and gatherings. Rental fees range from $50-200 per hour depending on guest count and day of week.
7. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts including bequests, beneficiary designations, IRA rollovers, charitable gift annuities, and gifts of appreciated securities through the Dunes Legacy Society.
8. Event Fundraising: Major events like Jammin with Save the Dunes (music festival) and Dunes Dash (5K run) generate ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Save the Dunes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that protects the Indiana dunes, Lake Michigan shoreline, and surrounding Northwest Indiana ecosystems through land conservation, habitat restoration, environmental advocacy, and community engagement programs. It generates revenue and sustains its mission via annual memberships, individual donations, corporate and foundation partnerships, planned giving, National Park Pass sales, branded merchandise, Barker House private event rentals, and signature fundraising events.

Product overview

Save the Dunes is a nonprofit conservation organization that operates as a unified program rather than a traditional product company. The organization offers a portfolio of integrated services including National Park Pass sales (7-Day $25, Annual $45, America the Beautiful $80), a merchandise store, membership program with six tiers ($40-$1,000), planned giving/legacy options, volunteer opportunities, Barker House event rentals, annual fundraising events (Jammin' with Save the Dunes), and free educational resources (Living in the Dunes guide series, environmental factsheets, conservation action plans). These offerings support the organization's mission of protecting the Indiana dunes, Lake Michigan, and surrounding natural areas through conservation, advocacy, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program Annual membership program with six tiers ($40 to $1,000) that funds conservation, advocacy, and habitat restoration while providing members with legal standing for advocacy and exclusive benefits.
• Indiana Dunes National Park Passes National Park entrance passes providing access to Indiana Dunes National Park beaches, trailheads, and parking lots, including 7-Day ($25), Annual ($45), and America the Beautiful ($80) passes.
• Save the Dunes Merchandise Store Online shop selling branded apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, hats, beanies), accessories (stickers, magnets, ornaments), and special items such as the 70th Anniversary Print, with proceeds supporting the conservation mission.
• Planned Giving Program Legacy giving options including bequests, beneficiary designations, IRA rollovers, gifts of appreciated securities, and charitable gift annuities, with members joining the Dunes Legacy Society receiving recognition and benefits.
• Volunteer Stewardship Program Volunteer program offering beach clean-ups, habitat restoration projects, stewardship days, Barker House grounds maintenance, and event support in partnership with Indiana Dunes National Park and State Park.
• Barker House Event Rentals Private event rental of the historic Barker House first floor with capacity for 50 guests indoors and 150 outdoors, including meeting spaces, lounge, kitchen, and grounds access at hourly rates from $50 to $200.
• Jammin' with Save the Dunes Annual music festival fundraiser featuring live performances, food trucks, and craft beer at Millennium Park in Michigan City, with proceeds supporting the conservation mission.
• Corporate Partner Program Tiered corporate partnership program (Dunes Mission Partner, Dunes Preservationist, Dunes Advocate, Dunes Conservationist, Dunes Protector, and Friend of the Dunes) offering companies recognition, volunteer engagement, and conservation project support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 15,000 acres of land protected within Indiana Dunes National Park through multiple expansion bills
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and historical.

• Indiana Dunes National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 February 2019Save the Dunes is an official partner of Indiana Dunes National Park, working to advance shared goals in land preservation, habitat restoration, and public access. In 2025, became official philanthropic partner. The organization coordinates volunteer stewardship projects, advocates for park funding, and sells National Park passes.
• Indiana Dunes State ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Indiana Dunes State Park on stewardship projects, volunteer opportunities, trail maintenance, and special events. Supports restoration projects and visitor engagement activities.
• Shirley Heinze Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongtime partner in land conservation. In 2025, Save the Dunes transferred five conservation properties to Shirley Heinze Land Trust for continued stewardship. Partners on pollinator habitat connectivity projects and cooperative invasive species management.
• NIPSCOkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner funding pollinator-focused restoration projects on utility rights-of-way. Partnership creates native plant corridors connecting to Indiana Dunes National Park.
• Northwest Indiana Paddling AssociationkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in logjam removal and public access improvements on the East Branch of the Little Calumet River, enabling 9.5 river miles of kayaking access.
• Environmental Law and Policy CenterkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-plaintiff in Cleveland-Cliffs consent decree monitoring along with Hoosier Environmental Council.
• Hoosier Environmental CouncilkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-plaintiff in Cleveland-Cliffs consent decree monitoring along with Environmental Law and Policy Center.
• Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSave the Dunes serves as Indiana state lead for this coalition, bringing community voices to Washington D.C. to advocate for Great Lakes funding. 15-year milestone achieved in 2026.
• The Nature ConservancyhistoricalStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical partner that held Barker House before transferring to Save the Dunes. Original owner of Barker Woods Nature Preserve before transfer to Shirley Heinze Land Trust.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Environmental Law & Policy Center: Midwest-based environmental advocacy organization that has been a co-plaintiff with Save the Dunes on the Cleveland-Cliffs consent decree monitoring. Directly comparable advocacy and litigation focus in the Great Lakes region.
• Shirley Heinze Land Trust: Regional land trust in Northwest Indiana that has been a longtime conservation partner of Save the Dunes and recently received five conservation properties transferred from the organization. Directly comparable in regional land conservation mission and donor base.
• Healing Our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition: Coalition of more than 35 Great Lakes organizations for which Save the Dunes serves as Indiana state lead. Directly comparable mission of Great Lakes protection, federal funding advocacy, and coordinated regional conservation strategy.
• Dunes Learning Center (formerly Dunes Environmental Center): Indiana Dunes-based environmental education organization that delivers K-12 programming in the national park. Directly comparable as a Save the Dunes-adjacent organization focused on the same geography and ecosystem, but specialized in education rather than advocacy.

Emerging players

• Indiana Native Plant Society: Statewide organization promoting native plant conservation and habitat restoration, overlapping with Save the Dunes' pollinator corridor and native landscaping work (Living in the Dunes guide series). Smaller and more niche than Save the Dunes.

Regional players

• Hoosier Environmental Council: Indiana-focused environmental policy and advocacy nonprofit. Co-plaintiff with Save the Dunes on industrial discharge monitoring, sharing a similar Indiana-centric mission but with a broader statewide policy remit rather than dune-specific focus.
• Sleeping Bear Dunes / Dunes Foundation (Michigan): Friends-of-the-park organization for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. Closest geographic and functional analog to Save the Dunes' role at Indiana Dunes National Park, serving as the affiliated nonprofit for a different Great Lakes national park unit.

Broad incumbents

• National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA): National nonprofit dedicated to protecting and enhancing the National Park System. Directly comparable to Save the Dunes' Indiana Dunes National Park advocacy and stewardship work but operating at a much larger national scale.
• Trust for Public Land: National land conservation nonprofit that works to protect land for public enjoyment, similar to Save the Dunes' historic role in expanding the Indiana Dunes. Operates a much broader portfolio of land deals and conservation finance mechanisms.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the world's largest environmental nonprofits with a focus on land and water conservation. Historical relationship with Save the Dunes (formerly owned the Barker House) and operates in overlapping geographies across the Great Lakes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC3tEIcE9W5FGyLz-07xctLg
• Facebookfacebook.com/savedunes
• Instagraminstagram.com/savethedunes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/save-the-dunes

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Save the Dunes