THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC.
The Clifton Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 900-acre permanently protected nature preserve in Warrenton, Virginia, delivering conservation biology research, native habitat restoration, and environmental education to schools, families, landowners, and citizen scientists across the Virginia Piedmont.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersWarrenton, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. does
The Clifton Institute, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization headquartered in Warrenton, Virginia, operating a 900-acre nature preserve in central Fauquier County that is permanently protected under a conservation easement. The organization conducts three core functions: conservation biology research, habitat restoration for native plant and animal species, and environmental education. Its research program includes long-running biodiversity monitoring — 21+ years of Christmas Bird Counts, vernal pool surveys, American Kestrel and Box Turtle tracking, and species cataloging via iNaturalist and the Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas. Habitat restoration activities include shrubland and grassland management, prescribed burns, invasive species control, and the Virginia Native Seed Pilot Project, which is building a commercial native wildflower seed industry in partnership with Virginia State University, four Virginia farmers, Ernst Conservation Seeds, and state agencies. Educational programming spans school field trips, summer camps (Young Naturalists, Young Scientists Research Experience), adult workshops, citizen science participation, and the 2024-launched Lawn Lab schoolyard research program at Liberty High School.
The business model is donation- and grant-supported. Revenue streams include individual donations (monthly giving available), the $40+/year Friends of Clifton membership program, programmatic fees (summer camps $275-$550, adult workshops $15, sponsored field trips at $750 for 75 students), biannual native plant sales of 30+ species, and grants from foundations and government agencies — the largest disclosed being a $200,000 USDA Conservation Innovation Grant awarded in September 2022. The organization runs with 1-10 staff, including Executive Director Bert Harris and Managing Director Eleanor Harris, supplemented by roughly 850 annual volunteer participants. Geographic focus is the northern Virginia Piedmont, though the Native Seed Pilot Project is intentionally operating across three Virginia ecoregions (coastal, mountain, piedmont). The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, holds no parent company or external equity investors, and does not publicly disclose financials.
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC.
- Legal name
- The Clifton Institute, Inc.
- Website
- https://cliftoninstitute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Clifton Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 900-acre permanently protected nature preserve in Warrenton, Virginia, delivering conservation biology research, native habitat restoration, and environmental education to schools, families, landowners, and citizen scientists across the Virginia Piedmont.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Conservation Education and Habitat Restoration Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD), Threatened & Endangered Species (TES) / Protected Species Surveys & Compliance (EUAHAHAD)
Keywords
Where THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Warrenton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting conservation, education, and restoration programs. Monthly giving option available.
- Friends Membership Program: Annual membership at $40+ provides parking pass for open-access days, program discounts, and plant sale benefits.
- Program Fees: Fees charged for educational programs including summer camps ($275-$550), workshops ($15 for adults), and field trips (subsidized).
- Grants and Foundation Support: Funding from USDA Conservation Innovation Grants ($200,000 to Virginia State University partnership), foundations, and government agencies for specific projects.
- Plant Sales: Biannual native plant sales offering over 30 species of native plants for habitat restoration projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Friend Membership - Annual donation-based access |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Field Trip Sponsorship |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Turtle Adoption |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Young Naturalists Summer Camp |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Adult Workshops |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Clifton Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that conducts conservation biology research, restores habitat for native species, and delivers hands-on environmental education programs on its 900-acre permanently protected nature preserve in central Fauquier County, Virginia. The organization operates three interconnected program areas—Education (school field trips, summer camps, Lawn Lab, adult workshops), Research & Community Science (biodiversity surveys, species tracking, vernal pool monitoring), and Habitat Restoration (shrubland/grassland management, invasive species control, native seed production)—supported by donations, grants, program fees, plant sales, and an annual Friends membership.
Product overview
The Clifton Institute is a non-profit conservation organization offering a portfolio of interconnected environmental programs centered on its 900-acre field station in Warrenton, Virginia. The organization operates three core program areas: Education (field trips, summer camps, Lawn Lab schoolyard research, and adult programs like Mindful Naturalists), Research & Community Science (biodiversity surveys, species tracking projects, vernal pool monitoring), and Habitat Restoration (shrubland/grassland management, invasive species control, native seed production). Key initiatives include the Virginia Native Seed Pilot Project (developing commercial native seed production), Lawn Lab (schoolyard grassland research), and the Grassland Stewardship Program. Membership through the Friends of Clifton Program provides access to the preserve and program discounts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Young Naturalists Camp: Summer camp program for children ages 7-12 to explore the field station and learn about plants and animals in the northern Virginia Piedmont.
- Young Scientists Research Experience
- Virginia Native Seed Pilot Project
- Lawn Lab
- Piedmont Polliwogs
- Mindful Naturalists
Products and services
- Young Naturalists Summer Camp Outdoor day camp for children ages 7-12 exploring the 900-acre field station and learning about local plants and animals through hands-on activities, workshops, and nature exploration. Two one-week sessions offered each summer at $275 per camper ($220 for additional campers).
- Young Scientists Research Experience Inquiry-based research program for youth ages 13-18 where students develop their own research questions, collect and analyze data, and present results under mentor guidance.
- School Field Trips Environmental education field trips for school groups including subsidized trips for Fauquier County Public Schools ($750 sponsors one field trip for 75 students) covering native plants, animals, and grassland ecology.
- Lawn Lab Schoolyard grassland research program at Liberty High School in partnership with Fauquier County Public Schools, teaching students about land management experiments and grassland ecology. Reaches approximately 200 students annually.
- Virginia Native Seed Pilot Project Initiative to launch Virginia's native wildflower seed industry, collecting 18 species of native plants across three ecoregions (coastal, mountain, piedmont) to make locally-adapted seeds commercially available for habitat restoration, pollinator-friendly solar installations, meadow plantings, and roadside revegetation.
- Landowner Outreach Program Technical assistance program helping landowners improve management of 3,000 acres of habitat for native plants and animals through actionable land management strategies, with a 2026 target of 3,000 acres improved.
- Grassland Stewardship Program Program to save rare plants in remnant grasslands through landowner education and on-the-ground management, staffed by the institute's first Grassland Steward.
- Friends of Clifton Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 104 bird species observed in single Christmas Bird Count
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC.
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature3 records
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Virginia State UniversitycoreJoint partnership for Virginia Native Seed Pilot Project. Funded by $200,000 USDA Conservation Innovation Grant. Aims to launch native wildflower seed industry in Virginia with local ecotype seeds for restoration projects.
- The Nature ConservancycoreKey partner in Virginia Native Seed Pilot Project. Collaborates on conservation efforts and native seed industry development.
- Ernst Conservation SeedscorePartner for seed processing in Pennsylvania. Processes native seeds collected in Virginia for the pilot project.
- Virginia Department of Conservation and RecreationcoreState agency partner in Virginia Native Seed Pilot Project for conservation and native plant initiatives.
- Virginia Department of Wildlife ResourcescoreProvides permission to collect seeds at wildlife management areas. Partner in conservation and biodiversity research.
- Virginia Master NaturalistsminorVolunteer organization that established statewide project to assist with native seed collection. Collected over one-third of seed supply for the project.
- Capital Region Land ConservancycorePartner in the Virginia Native Seed Pilot Project focused on land conservation in Virginia.
- Rappahannock TribeminorCollaboration planned for establishing seed harvesting operation as part of Native Seed Project expansion.
- Friends of the RappahannockminorPartnership on grant for Meaningful Watershed Education Experience training and river conservation education.
- Fauquier County Public SchoolscorePartner for Lawn Lab program - grassland research experiment at Liberty High School. Provides environmental education to 200 students annually.
- Center for Urban HabitatsminorPartner that assisted with seed collection when target species were difficult to obtain. Shared Eastern Smooth Beardtongue seeds.
- Participating Virginia Farmers (Chancellor's Rock Farm, Slade Farms, Pat Acres Farm, Morning Glory Farm)coreFarmers growing native seeds commercially as part of Virginia Native Seed Pilot Project. Receive plugs at no cost to plant for future seed production.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Friends of the Rappahannock: Friends of the Rappahannock is a regional conservation nonprofit that partners with the Clifton Institute on watershed education and river conservation. It is comparable as a community-driven conservation organization running education and habitat programs in the same Virginia region.
- Virginia Native Plant Society: VNPS promotes the conservation of native plants and their habitats through education, advocacy, and plant sales. It funded part of the Clifton Institute's Backyard Meadow Project and shares a focus on native plant propagation, restoration, and community science.
- Center for Urban Habitats: Center for Urban Habitats is a Virginia-based nonprofit focused on biodiversity documentation, plant and animal surveys, and native seed collection. It has partnered with the Clifton Institute on seed collection and shares the same biodiversity-survey and restoration niche.
- Capital Region Land Conservancy: Capital Region Land Conservancy is a Virginia land trust working with private landowners on conservation easements and habitat protection. It is a direct partner on the Native Seed Pilot Project and shares the Clifton Institute's focus on land protection and biodiversity in the Virginia Piedmont.
- Audubon Society of Northern Virginia: Audubon Society of Northern Virginia runs bird-focused conservation, citizen science (including Christmas Bird Counts), and habitat education programs in the same region. It is comparable as a conservation nonprofit combining long-term bird monitoring with community education and habitat restoration.
- Piedmont Environmental Council: PEC is a regional nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Piedmont's rural landscapes, natural resources, and historic resources through land conservation, advocacy, and landowner outreach. It operates in the same Northern Virginia Piedmont geography and runs comparable landowner-assistance and conservation programs.
Broad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy (Virginia): The Nature Conservancy operates globally with a strong Virginia chapter focused on land conservation, habitat protection, and partnership-based restoration. It is a direct collaborator on the Clifton Institute's Native Seed Pilot Project and is comparable as a nonprofit conservation organization running land-based programs in the same region.
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute: The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute runs large-scale conservation research, breeding programs, and biodiversity education from its Virginia and Front Royal facilities. It is a much larger incumbent in the same conservation biology and environmental education space in the same state.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights1 record
Customer concentration
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. social profiles
Digital presenceTHE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. 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 CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC.
What does THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. do?
The Clifton Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that conducts conservation biology research, restores habitat for native species, and delivers hands-on environmental education programs on its 900-acre permanently protected nature preserve in central Fauquier County, Virginia. The organization operates three interconnected program areas—Education (school field trips, summer camps, Lawn Lab, adult workshops), Research & Community Science (biodiversity surveys, species tracking, vernal pool monitoring), and Habitat Restoration (shrubland/grassland management, invasive species control, native seed production)—supported by donations, grants, program fees, plant sales, and an annual Friends membership.
Is THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. a public or private company?
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. founded?
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. based?
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. is headquartered in Warrenton, United States, in the North America region.
How does THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are friends Membership Program, program Fees, grants and Foundation Support and plant Sales.
Who are THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Friends of the Rappahannock, Virginia Native Plant Society, Center for Urban Habitats, Capital Region Land Conservancy, Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and Piedmont Environmental Council. Broad incumbents are The Nature Conservancy (Virginia) and Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Does THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. have an API?
No public API is recorded for THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC..
What industry is THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC. in?
THE CLIFTON INSTITUTE, INC.'s product category is Conservation Education and Habitat Restoration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAA, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAH, Environmental Education & Outreach. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8731.