The Lake Hopatcong Foundation A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation

What The Lake Hopatcong Foundation A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation does

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2012 and headquartered in Landing, New Jersey, dedicated to protecting New Jersey's largest lake (Lake Hopatcong). It operates four integrated program areas: Environment (water quality monitoring at eleven sampling stations, invasive species removal via the Water Scouts volunteer program, nine floating wetland islands for phosphorus removal, and shoreline buffer initiatives); Education (environmental field trips reaching 2,116 students across six counties in spring 2026 alone, a 40-foot Floating Classroom boat offering public eco-cruises, in-classroom K-12 presentations, and the Lake Hopatcong Water Trails); Community (the Block Party with 200+ vendors and 3,500+ attendees, Lake Loop bike/hike/paddle challenge, lake-wide cleanups removing 28,000 lbs of debris in 2023, and the annual Sunset Soiree Gala & Auction); and Advocacy (securing a $500,000 annual state appropriation for the Lake Hopatcong Commission and helping pass legislation in 2021 securing $10M for NJ public lakes).

The Foundation operates with a small staff of 7 (Executive Director, Communications Director, Development Director, Education and Outreach Director, Administrative Assistant, and two interns) supported by a Board of Trustees, an Advisory Council, and hundreds of volunteers. Revenue derives from a diversified mix of individual donations and memberships, corporate sponsorships (Premier through Star tiers), annual fundraising events (Gala, Lake Loop, Block Party, online auction with ~70 items), planned giving/bequests, and government/private grants. Education is delivered through both free (school field trips subsidized by sponsors) and paid channels (summer public eco-cruises at $25 adult/$22 child/$23 senior plus state park fees). Its physical infrastructure includes the restored 1911 Lake Hopatcong Station building, added to the State and National Registers of Historic Places, serving as the Environmental & Cultural Center.

Name

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation

Legal name

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation

Website

https://lakehopatcongfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2012 that protects New Jersey's largest lake through environmental monitoring, K-12 education programs, community events, and advocacy, serving schools, lakefront residents, and volunteers across six NJ counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation services
• Lake stewardship programs
• Environmental education programs
• Watershed management services
• Nonprofit community advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Landing

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Memberships: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting environmental, educational, community, and advocacy programs. Members receive advanced notice of programs and events, and invitations to members-only experiences.
2. Annual Events (Gala, Auction, Lake Loop, Block Party): Major annual fundraising events including the Sunset Soiree Gala & Auction, Lake Loop challenge event, and Lake Hopatcong Block Party that raise critical funds while building community engagement.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities at various levels (Premier, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Star tiers) for events and programs, providing visibility for businesses while supporting lake conservation efforts.
4. Planned Giving and Bequests: Legacy giving vehicles including bequests from wills or living trusts, qualified charitable distributions, life insurance policies, charitable remainder trusts, and gifts of stock.
5. Online Auction: Annual online auction with nearly 70 items and experiences donated by local businesses and community members, featuring categories including travel, dining, golf, sports, and local experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to protecting and preserving Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey. It delivers environmental education (Floating Classroom, field trip programs), lake stewardship initiatives (water quality monitoring, invasive species management, floating wetland installation), and community engagement activities (lakeside cleanups, fundraising events, member programs) that serve residents, students, lakefront owners, and partner organizations across the region.

Product overview

The Lake Hopatcong Foundation operates as a non-profit environmental organization (501(c)(3)) offering environmental education, lake protection, and community engagement programs. Its core offerings include hands-on educational programs (Floating Classroom eco-cruises, environmental field trips for grade school and high school students, in-classroom presentations), volunteer conservation initiatives (Water Scouts invasive species removal, community cleanups, shoreline buffer installation), water quality monitoring, and the annual native plant sale. The Foundation also hosts signature community events including the Lake Hopatcong Block Party, Lake Loop recreational challenge, and Sunset Soiree Gala & Auction. Its headquarters at the historic Lake Hopatcong Station (built 1911) serves as an Environmental & Cultural Center with native gardens. The organization advocates for funding and policies supporting healthy lakes throughout New Jersey. Unlike a technology company, the Foundation's products are program-based environmental and educational services rather than software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Floating Classroom Education Program Boat-based environmental education program for school groups and students that teaches lake ecology, water quality, and watershed science directly on Lake Hopatcong.
• Field Trip Programs Structured school field trip experiences aligned with environmental science curricula, providing students with guided learning at the lake.
• Lake Stewardship and Water Quality Monitoring Ongoing environmental monitoring program that tracks water quality, manages invasive species, and supports habitat health across Lake Hopatcong for the benefit of the surrounding community and lake users.
• Community Events and Fundraisers Community-facing events such as lakeside cleanups, auctions, and member gatherings designed to engage residents, raise conservation funds, and build stewardship of the lake.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,116 students educated in spring 2026 field trips, a record-breaking season
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Hopatcong State ParkflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Critical hosting partner for all field trip programs, floating classroom cruises, and educational activities. All programming takes place at the State Park location in Landing, NJ.
• Roxbury Township Clean Communities & Recycling, Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority, Ultra-PolycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership to revive and expand the boat shrink wrap recycling program. LHF led the initiative with municipal partners providing drop-off locations and Ultra-Poly processing the material into pellets for composite lumber and other products. Won NJDEP Outstanding Achievement in Recycling Award in 2024.
• Mount Arlington BoroughminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Provided drop-off location for boat shrink wrap recycling program.
• Well-Sweep Herb Farm and Catskill Native NurseryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Native plant suppliers for the annual native plant sale. Well-Sweep is located in Port Murray, NJ and Catskill Native Nursery in Kerhonkson, NY.
• Connolly & Hickey Historical ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2015Historical architecture firm led by Margaret Hickey that served as lead architect for the Lake Hopatcong Station restoration project, winning AIA Merit Award and NJ Historic Preservation Award.
• O'Donnell ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2015Local contractor from Mount Arlington that served as prime contractor for the Lake Hopatcong Station restoration, beautifully restoring the historic structure.
• Seton Hall University, Drew University, and Montclair State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014University partnerships for environmental and GIS mapping projects, supporting research and educational programming.
• Princeton HydrocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Environmental consultant providing expertise for floating wetland island installation and water quality monitoring. Assisted with design and installation of the nine floating wetland islands and continues to provide water quality expertise.
• New Jersey State Police and Morris County Sheriff's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Partnership established in 2013 for boating safety through additional weekend patrols. The LHF contributed funding for additional patrols to address safety concerns on the lake.
• Lake Hopatcong CommissionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Long-standing partnership for water quality monitoring, harmful algal bloom prevention, and lake management. LHF assumed responsibility for water quality monitoring when state funding ended. Worked together on $830,000 in HAB combat efforts. Commission holds monthly meetings at LHF headquarters.
• Knee Deep ClubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Original creator of the Water Scouts program in 2010. LHF assumed management of the program in 2013, continuing the invasive species monitoring and removal efforts.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education (ANJEE): Statewide network that awarded LHF its first Pat Skelly Community Award in 2018. Functions as an enabling / capacity-building peer for environmental education nonprofits across New Jersey, with thematic overlap rather than direct program competition.

Broad incumbents

• Central Park Conservancy: New York-based nonprofit that inspired LHF's founding; operates the public-private partnership model for stewarding a major urban park. Comparable in private nonprofit + public park stewardship model, though vastly larger in budget and staff.
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Large regional nonprofit dedicated to restoring the Chesapeake Bay through advocacy, education, and on-the-ground restoration. Comparable in freshwater/watershed restoration mission and education-driven programming, but operates at multi-state scale.

Direct peers

• Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association: New Jersey nonprofit dedicated to watershed protection through education, advocacy, and land stewardship in central New Jersey. Directly comparable mission, environmental education programming, and policy advocacy approach.
• Hackensack Riverkeeper: New Jersey-based clean water advocacy and watershed restoration nonprofit serving the Hackensack River watershed. LHF's Development Director Caitlin Doran previously worked here for nearly six years, indicating closely aligned advocacy, outreach, and water quality programs.
• Raritan Headwaters Association: New Jersey-based watershed conservation organization protecting the headwaters of the Raritan River through water quality monitoring, land preservation, and education. Closely aligned with LHF in scale, programmatic mix, and donor base.
• The Land Conservancy of New Jersey: New Jersey nonprofit focused on land preservation, natural resource stewardship, and conservation education. LHF's Communications Director Holly Odgers previously spent 18 years here, indicating directly comparable operating model and regional conservation focus.
• Musconetcong Watershed Association: New Jersey-based watershed protection nonprofit that conducts water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, and environmental education across the Musconetcong River watershed. Directly comparable to LHF in mission, programs, and geography; LHF's current Executive Director Kyle Richter previously served as Watershed Programs Manager here.

Regional players

• NY/NJ Baykeeper: Regional waterway advocacy organization focused on the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary. Overlaps with LHF on water quality advocacy, pollution prevention, and citizen engagement, but focused on tidal/estuarine waters rather than freshwater lake.

Emerging players

• Lake Champlain Committee: Lake-focused nonprofit dedicated to protecting Lake Champlain through water quality monitoring, invasive species prevention, and education. Comparable niche (single-lake conservation), similar programmatic mix, but in a different geography (Vermont/New York).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LakeHopatcongFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lake-hopatcong-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/lake.hopatcong
• TikToktiktok.com/@lake.hopatcong

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 The Lake Hopatcong Foundation A New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation