The Fairfax County Park Foundation Inc

What The Fairfax County Park Foundation Inc does

The Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in December 2000 to raise private funds, obtain grants, and create partnerships that supplement tax dollars for the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA). The Foundation operates as the only official nonprofit supporting FCPA, which oversees 422 parks spanning 23,800 acres serving more than 16 million visitors annually. FCPA receives less than 1% of the County's General Fund and relies on fees for nearly 60% of operating expenses, creating a structural funding gap that the Foundation addresses for non-fee-based programs, equity initiatives, and capital improvements.

The Foundation executes its mission through a portfolio of programs rather than a unified technology product. Core initiatives include the Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center (environmental outreach reaching 7,400 individuals through 108 site visits in 2025), Summer Entertainment Series (189 free performances and 4 outdoor movies across 17 venues in 2025), Earth Day Fairfax, Healthy Strides 5K/10K, Frying Pan Farm Park Carousel, Commemorative Benches and Trees sponsorship, Trail Building and Care, Open Space Land Preservation (over 410 acres acquired through donor support), Camps and Equity Outreach Programs, Essential Operations, Dog Parks, the Invasive Management Area volunteer program, and the annual Eakin Philanthropy Awards. Underlying infrastructure is a WordPress-based website and donation portal with no public API, SDK, or proprietary technology stack.

The revenue model spans six streams: individual donations, corporate sponsorships, workplace giving (United Way NCA #9400, Combined Federal Campaign #38066, Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign #200308), planned giving and estate gifts, grant funding, and in-kind contributions. Donation tiers range from $50 memorial cards to $100,000+ vehicle sponsorships, with structured corporate sponsorship ladders per event. A lean three-person leadership team — Executive Director, Director of Development, and Finance Administrator — supported by a volunteer Board of Directors runs the operation, with annual revenue growing from $607,699 in FY2012 to over $5 million in FY2025, representing approximately eightfold growth over 13 years.

Name

The Fairfax County Park Foundation Inc

Legal name

Fairfax County Park Foundation Inc

Website

https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Fairfax County Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises private funds, grants, and corporate sponsorships to supplement the Fairfax County Park Authority budget, supporting 422 parks across 23,800 acres and 16 million+ annual visitors through Wonder Wagon, Summer Entertainment Series, and equity outreach programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Park Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Non-Operating Establishments (9995)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

Keywords

• Park foundation fundraising
• Charitable park programs
• Community event sponsorship
• Outdoor recreation support
• Environmental education outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairfax

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting park improvements, outreach programs, educational programs, and cultural events. Includes one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, and major gifts.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events, projects, and programs including Summer Entertainment Series, Earth Day Fairfax, Healthy Strides, and bench/tree commemorations.
3. Workplace Giving Programs: Payroll deductions through United Way (#9400), Combined Federal Campaign (#38066), and Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (#200308).
4. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Legacy Circle program for wills, gift planning, IRA distributions (for those 70½+), and donor advised fund contributions.
5. Grant Funding: Foundation and government grants supporting park improvements, environmental education, and equity outreach programs.
6. In-Kind Contributions: Vehicle donations, stock and bond gifts, and in-kind sponsorships for events and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Fairfax County Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that raises private funds, secures grants, and creates corporate partnerships to supplement Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) tax dollars for park land, facilities, programs, cultural events, and equity outreach. It accepts individual donations, corporate sponsorships, workplace giving gifts, planned/estate gifts, and in-kind contributions (vehicles, stocks/bonds), and deploys these via signature programs such as the Summer Entertainment Series, Earth Day Fairfax, Healthy Strides 5K/10K, Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center, Commemorative Benches and Trees, Open Space Land Preservation, and scholarships for camps and adapted recreation classes.

Product overview

The Fairfax County Park Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises private funds, obtains grants, and creates partnerships to supplement Fairfax County Park Authority's tax dollars. Rather than a unified technology product, it operates a portfolio of fundraising programs and park support initiatives including the Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center (equity outreach), Summer Entertainment Series (concerts/movies), Earth Day Fairfax, Healthy Strides 5K/10K, Frying Pan Farm Park Carousel, Commemorative Benches and Trees sponsorship, Trail Building and Care, Open Space Land Preservation, Camps & Equity Outreach Programs, Essential Operations support, Dog Parks, Invasive Management Area Program, and Eakin Philanthropy Awards. These programs fund park improvements, environmental education, community events, and accessibility initiatives across Fairfax County's 422 parks spanning 23,800 acres.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center A mobile nature center program that brings environmental and nature education directly to underserved communities and Title 1 schools throughout Fairfax County. In 2025 the Wonder Wagon reached 7,400 individuals through 108 site visits.
• Summer Entertainment Series A free concert, children's show, and outdoor movie series held at 17 venues across Fairfax County parks, featuring local and national touring acts. Summer 2025 included 189 free live performances and 4 outdoor movies with 35,000+ attendees.
• Earth Day Fairfax The largest Earth Day celebration in Fairfax County, held at Lake Fairfax Park with entertainment, activities, food vendors, and environmental education programming.
• Healthy Strides 5K/10K Annual run/walk event at Burke Lake Park featuring 5K and 10K courses, Tots Dash, and Kids Dash, with proceeds supporting park improvements.
• Frying Pan Farm Park Carousel & Carnival Fundraising Fundraising program for replacement of the Frying Pan Farm Park carousel and support for the Annual Fairfax County Carnival and Fair, which attracts 27,000+ attendees.
• Commemorative Benches and Trees Sponsorship Donation program enabling individuals and families to sponsor commemorative benches ($1,800-$4,200) or trees ($600-$1,800) installed in Fairfax County parks as tributes or memorials; includes design, fabrication, installation, and plaque.
• Trail Building and Care Program Program supporting construction, maintenance, and improvement of park trails, including the 40-mile Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail and navigable Fairfax Trail Buddy mobile wayfinding.
• Open Space Land Preservation Fund Fund dedicated to acquiring, protecting, and restoring ecologically valuable parkland, having helped purchase more than 410 acres of open space in Fairfax County.
• Camps, Classes & Equity Outreach Programs Scholarships and program support for FCPA camps, adapted recreation classes for people with disabilities, and equity outreach programs ensuring park access for low-income residents and underrepresented communities.
• Essential Operations Support Core operational funding sustaining the Foundation's leadership and administrative functions that maintain momentum across the Fairfax County Park Authority's 422 parks and 23,800 acres.
• FCPA Dog Parks & Programs Fundraising and program support for dog parks and canine programs within the Fairfax County Park Authority system.
• Invasive Management Area (IMA) Program Volunteer-driven program for ecological habitat restoration through removal of invasive plant species in Fairfax County parks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 16 million+ visitors served annually across 422 parks
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

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

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2000Primary beneficiary partner. FCPF raises private funds, obtains grants, and creates partnerships to supplement FCPA's budget. FCPA receives less than 1% of Fairfax County's General Fund and relies on Foundation support for programs that cannot be fee-based.
• United Way of the National Capital AreacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorkplace giving partner. FCPF is a proud partner of United Way NCA (#9400), participating in annual workplace giving campaigns.
• Combined Federal CampaigncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFederal workplace giving program partner. FCPF participates as CFC #38066 in the annual federal employee charitable giving campaign.
• Commonwealth of Virginia CampaigncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerState employee workplace giving partner. FCPF is listed as CVC #200308 for Virginia state employee donations.
• Pohanka Automotive GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVehicle Sponsor and Outreach Ambassador for Wonder Wagon ($100,000+). Also supports Summer Entertainment Series and received 2025 Eakin Philanthropy Award.
• WegmansmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerStellar Star sponsor ($10,000-$19,999) of Summer Entertainment Series. Supports Starlight Cinema and FCPA events since 2013.
• Friends Groups (12+ organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMOU partnerships with Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park, Friends of Colvin Run Mill, Friends of Green Spring Gardens, Friends of Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Friends of Historic Huntley, Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, and others to support FCPA sites.
• Fairfax County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Fairfax County's One Fairfax racial and social equity policy to ensure all residents can access quality parks regardless of background.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Ducks Unlimited: Major conservation nonprofit focused on wetlands and wildlife habitat, with strong event-driven fundraising and corporate partnerships. Comparable in mission overlap (habitat, land) and signature fundraising events.

Broad incumbents

• National Park Foundation: The official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, raising private funds for national parks. Larger, national-scope analogue to FCPF's county-level partnership model with FCPA.
• The Nature Conservancy: Global environmental nonprofit focused on land and water conservation. Comparable in land acquisition (FCPF's 410+ acres vs. TNC's broader portfolio) and corporate partnerships, but at much larger scale.
• The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that protects land for public use, including parks and natural areas. Comparable mission around land conservation, public access, and partnership with government agencies for park creation and expansion.

Direct peers

• Fairmount Park Conservancy: Philanthropic partner of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, raising private funds for capital projects, restorations, and programming. Very similar structure: independent 501(c)(3) raising private funds to supplement a public park authority budget.
• Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy: Nonprofit that funds capital improvements, stewardship, and programs for Pittsburgh's city parks in partnership with the city's park authority. Directly comparable as a city/county park foundation supplementing public funding for parks and trails.
• City Parks Foundation: Nonprofit that raises private funds and delivers free cultural, environmental, and athletic programs for New York City parks. Closest functional analogue to FCPF in terms of being a municipal park foundation running signature events (SummerStage, etc.) and equity/outreach programming.
• Piedmont Park Conservancy: Nonprofit that funds operations, programming, and capital improvements for Piedmont Park in Atlanta through philanthropy and corporate sponsorships. Comparable as a park-specific conservancy running fundraising events and outreach programs.
• Forest Park Forever: Nonprofit conservancy that raises private funds to maintain and improve Forest Park in St. Louis in partnership with the city's park department. Directly comparable model: municipal park conservancy funded by donations, sponsorships, and grants.

Others

• Community Foundation for Northern Virginia: Regional community foundation that makes grants in Northern Virginia, including Environment Fund grants to FCPF. Comparable as a community/regional grantmaking institution and a donor to FCPF's programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FairfaxCountyParkFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fairfax-county-park-foundation-inc-the
• Instagraminstagram.com/fairfaxcountyparkfoundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Fairfax County Park Foundation Inc