National Loon Center
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersCrosslake, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What National Loon Center does
The National Loon Center Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Crosslake, Minnesota, that advances conservation of the common loon and freshwater ecosystems through research, education, and public stewardship. Founded around 2017-2019, the organization operates The Nest, a temporary information center in Crosslake Town Square, while constructing a 20,000-square-foot purpose-built facility scheduled to open in 2027. The new facility will house three levels of interactive exhibits designed in partnership with Dimensional Innovations, supported by 50 geothermal wells and a solar array for near net-zero energy operation. A live construction camera updates site progress every five minutes.
Core programs include the StewardShip pontoon boat for guided loon observation tours on Cross Lake, the annual Loons & Lakes Festival in its third year by 2026, Junior Loon Biologist youth programming, and the Loon Research Ambassador Program. Conservation initiatives focus on the Share Our Shoreline stewardship campaign and the Loons & Lead effort to eliminate lead fishing tackle, anchored by a flagship partnership with Lindy Fishing Tackle to convert its product line lead-free by 2027. Education programming is delivered in person ($100 per program) or virtually ($75), with travel fees of $0.72 per mile beyond 50 miles.
Revenue is generated through tax-deductible donations ($20-$500 tiers or custom), the Adopt-a-Loon program ($60 per adoption including plush toy and certificate), commemorative pavers ($250-$500), merchandise, pontoon tour tickets via Eventbrite, and government/foundation grants. The organization has secured $6.5 million in Minnesota legislative appropriations ($4 million in 2019 and $2.5 million in 2023), with additional research funding from the Ricketts Conservation Foundation and others. It is governed by an Executive Director (Jon Mobeck), supported by a Scientific Advisory Council, and operates through partnerships with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Birds Canada, Colorado State University, Tufts, Tulane, and a network of regional loon monitoring organizations across 14+ states.
National Loon Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- National Loon Center
- Legal name
- National Loon Center Foundation
- Website
- https://nationallooncenter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
National Loon Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wildlife Conservation Education
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- National Park & Protected Area Tours (THAJAIAA)
Keywords
Where National Loon Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Crosslake
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
National Loon Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations to the 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation, accepted via online forms, mail, and various donation tiers ($20, $50, $100, $500, or custom amounts). Donations support building construction and ongoing conservation programs.
- Adopt-a-Loon Program: Household adoption program at $60 providing an adoption certificate, loon plush toy (that makes the loon call), and special edition sticker. Can be purchased as a gift for others.
- Commemorative Pavers: Commemorative paver sales at $250 (4x8 paver with 3 lines, 20 characters per line) or $500 (8x8 paver with 6 lines), placed at the main entrance. Tax-deductible donations supporting the center.
- Loon Pontoon Tours and Programs: Various pontoon tour programs including Loon Pontoon Tours, Loon Watcher Training, Loon Research Tours, Loon Pontoon Workshops, and Junior Loon Biologist programs. Tickets sold via Eventbrite.
- Educational Programming: Educational travel programs for schools, camps, scouts, and community groups. Standard program fee of $100, virtual programs at $75, plus $0.72/mile for travel beyond 50 miles. Fee reductions available for schools and youth groups.
- Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling merchandise including apparel, with a limited return policy as a nonprofit organization. Exchanges for apparel sizes available upon request.
- Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from Minnesota's Outdoor Heritage Fund (Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment), Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund, and other government appropriations including $4 million approved by Minnesota lawmakers in 2019 and $2.5 million allocated in 2023.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Adopt-a-Loon: $60 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Commemorative Pavers: $250-$500 |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Program Fee: $100 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation Tiers: $20, $50, $100, $500 or custom |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
National Loon Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
National Loon Center Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances loon and freshwater conservation through research, education, and immersive visitor experiences. It sells adopt-a-loon memberships, commemorative pavers, pontoon tours, educational travel programs, youth programming, an annual festival, and a Research Ambassador volunteer program, and is building a near net-zero energy visitor facility.
Product overview
The National Loon Center is a nonprofit research and education organization operating a visitor center (The Nest) in Crosslake, Minnesota, with a new 20,000-square-foot facility opening in 2027. Its portfolio centers on conservation programs (Adopt-a-Loon, Loons & Lead), educational offerings (Loon Pontoon Tours on The StewardShip, Junior Loon Biologist, Educational Travel Programs), public events (Loons & Lakes Festival), and citizen science initiatives (Loon Research Ambassador Program, Share Our Shoreline). The organization functions as a single unified mission rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture, with programs designed to advance loon and freshwater research, education, and conservation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Minnesota's Common Loon population has been stable over the last two decades despite declines in Canada.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use National Loon Center
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
National Loon Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
National Loon Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
30 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Lindy Fishing TackleflagshipFirst company to sign the Loons & Lakes Legacy Pledge, committing to make their entire product line lead-free and loon-friendly by 2027. This partnership advances the lead-free fishing initiative.
- Dimensional InnovationscoreExhibit design partner working with the National Loon Center to curate immersive, high-tech exhibits inside the future facility. Three stories of interactive exhibits are being developed to immerse visitors in the life of a loon.
- Crosslake-Ideal Lions ClubminorPresenting sponsor for Music in the Square at the Loons & Lakes Festival, contributing to community engagement.
- Tremolo Brewing CompanyminorTremolo sponsor ($2,500 level) for Loons & Lakes Festival, providing financial support for the annual event.
- Renewal by AndersenminorYodel sponsor ($1,000 level) for Loons & Lakes Festival.
- LeafFilter Gutter ProtectionminorYodel sponsor ($1,000 level) for Loons & Lakes Festival.
- Sporting Lead-FreeminorWyoming-based organization of hunters and anglers with educational initiative to reduce lead consumption by wildlife. Partnership on lead-free messaging and education.
- Get The Lead Out (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency)coreMPCA educational program to protect and restore Common Loon populations in Minnesota. Previously held over 200 tackle exchanges collecting 8,000 lbs of lead and distributing 50,000 sample packets of lead-free tackle.
- Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcescorePartnership on loon monitoring programs, Volunteer Loon Watcher Survey training, and Minnesota Loon Restoration Project. DNR provides nongame wildlife specialists and conservation officers for loon rescue coordination.
- Journey NorthminorRecruitment of lake goers across North America to submit ice-out dates and first sightings of loons in spring through the Journey North citizen science platform.
- Birds CanadacorePartner for Canadian Lakes Loon Survey and 2026 research project investigating effects of water clarity on Common Loon productivity across the breeding range.
- Colorado State University Bird Genoscape LabcoreResearch partnership for the Common Loon Genoscape Project using cutting-edge genomic tools to analyze genetic variation across individual loons from across their range.
- Glacier National ParkminorResearch partnership addressing knowledge gaps in Common Loon populations east of the Continental Divide in Montana, with expansion of partnerships with the Blackfeet Nation.
- Tufts UniversityminorDevelopment of e-book and video on Common Loon anatomy and necropsy techniques to aid the international loon research and educational communities.
- Tulane UniversityminorResearch partnership studying how wintering strategy affects diet and causes of mortality in Common Loons, testing feathers to determine wintering habitats.
- QuébecOiseauxminorEngaging Northern Québec communities in loon conservation and lake stewardship, expanding monitoring coverage with First Nations communities.
- Loon Preservation Committee (New Hampshire)minorPartner for NH Annual Loon Census and field volunteer programs.
- Adirondack Center for Loon ConservationminorPartner for NY Annual Loon Census and loon rescue efforts.
- Michigan Loon Preservation AssociationminorPartner for Michigan Loonwatch program and injured/dead loon reporting.
- Vermont Center for EcostudiesminorPartner for VT July LoonWatch and Adopt-a-Lake programs.
- Jocasse Wild (Lake Jocassee)minorSupporting organization for winter and spring migration loon research at Lake Jocassee, SC, including first-ever study of loons wintering in a freshwater environment.
- Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release (Crystal)minorMinnesota wildlife rehabilitation facility for injured loons.
- Wild and Free (Garrison)minorMinnesota wildlife rehabilitation center providing X-ray and treatment for injured loons including boat propeller strikes.
- International Wolf CenterminorVisit MN Partners - fellow Minnesota wildlife conservation organization featured as part of regional conservation tourism network.
- International Owl CenterminorVisit MN Partners - fellow Minnesota wildlife conservation organization featured as part of regional conservation tourism network.
- National Eagle CenterminorVisit MN Partners - fellow Minnesota wildlife conservation organization featured as part of regional conservation tourism network.
- North American Bear CenterminorVisit MN Partners - fellow Minnesota wildlife conservation organization featured as part of regional conservation tourism network.
- Brainerd Lakes Area Audubon SocietyminorExhibitor and partner for guided bird walks at the Loons & Lakes Festival.
- Crow Wing SWCDminorExhibitor at Loons & Lakes Festival representing the Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District.
- Freshwater SocietyminorExhibitor at Loons & Lakes Festival focusing on freshwater conservation.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights6 records
National Loon Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- International Wolf Center: Minnesota-based nonprofit wildlife conservation center offering interpretive exhibits, educational programs, and visitor experiences focused on wolves. Directly comparable as a same-state single-species wildlife center with an Exhibit MN partnership and similar visitor-center-and-education model.
- Vermont Center for Ecostudies: Vermont nonprofit conducting ecological research and citizen-science-driven conservation programs including loon monitoring. Comparable as a regional wildlife/conservation nonprofit that combines research, citizen science, and public engagement.
- National Eagle Center: Nonprofit eagle-focused education and conservation center on the Mississippi River in Minnesota offering interpretive programs, exhibits, and visitor experiences. Closely mirrors NLC's combination of purpose-built visitor center, single-species focus, education programming, and conservation mission.
- North American Bear Center: Minnesota-based nonprofit bear conservation and education center with interpretive exhibits, programs, and visitor experiences. Comparable as a same-state single-species wildlife center operating an exhibit-driven visitor model with conservation and research components.
- International Owl Center: Minnesota-based nonprofit dedicated to owl conservation through exhibits, educational programs, and visitor engagement. Directly comparable as a single-species wildlife nonprofit with an Exhibit MN partnership and aligned education-and-conservation model.
- Michigan Loon Preservation Association: Michigan nonprofit focused on loon preservation through Loonwatch monitoring, public education, and injured/dead loon reporting. Directly comparable as a state-level loon conservation peer with overlapping monitoring and rescue functions.
- Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation: New York-based nonprofit dedicated to loon research, conservation, and public education in the Adirondacks. Comparable as a regional single-species loon organization running loon census, rescue, and education programs.
- Loon Preservation Committee of New Hampshire: New Hampshire nonprofit dedicated to loon conservation through monitoring, research, and education. Directly comparable as a regional single-species loon organization with overlapping volunteer census, rescue, and research programs.
Broad incumbents
- Ducks Unlimited: Large national waterfowl and wetland conservation nonprofit with habitat programs, research, and policy advocacy. Comparable as a broader waterfowl-and-wetland incumbent whose freshwater and habitat missions overlap with NLC's lake conservation scope.
- National Audubon Society: Large national avian conservation nonprofit operating sanctuaries, research, advocacy, and education programs across many bird species. Comparable as a broader incumbent in bird conservation whose chapters and centers intersect with NLC's citizen-science networks.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
National Loon Center social profiles
Digital presenceNational Loon Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
National Loon Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
National Loon Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
National Loon Center 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 National Loon Center
What does National Loon Center do?
National Loon Center Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances loon and freshwater conservation through research, education, and immersive visitor experiences. It sells adopt-a-loon memberships, commemorative pavers, pontoon tours, educational travel programs, youth programming, an annual festival, and a Research Ambassador volunteer program, and is building a near net-zero energy visitor facility.
Is National Loon Center a public or private company?
National Loon Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was National Loon Center founded?
National Loon Center was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is National Loon Center based?
National Loon Center is headquartered in Crosslake, United States, in the North America region.
How does National Loon Center make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are adopt-a-Loon Program, commemorative Pavers, loon Pontoon Tours and Programs, educational Programming, merchandise Sales and government and Foundation Grants.
Who are National Loon Center's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are International Wolf Center, Vermont Center for Ecostudies, National Eagle Center, North American Bear Center, International Owl Center, Michigan Loon Preservation Association, Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation and Loon Preservation Committee of New Hampshire. Broad incumbents are Ducks Unlimited and National Audubon Society.
Does National Loon Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for National Loon Center.
What industry is National Loon Center in?
National Loon Center's product category is Wildlife Conservation Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAA, Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty), with a secondary code of THAJAIAA, National Park & Protected Area Tours. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8600.