Glen Foerd
Glen Foerd is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) operating an 84-acre historic Gilded Age riverfront estate in Northeast Philadelphia, offering free public access, artist residencies, youth environmental education, and private event venue rentals in cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Glen Foerd does
Glen Foerd is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating an 84-acre historic riverfront estate at 5001 Grant Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, at the confluence of the Delaware River and Poquessing Creek. The Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation, founded in 1983, stewards the property in formal cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. The estate features a Gilded Age mansion housing an eclectic art collection spanning Renaissance to 20th-century works, formal gardens, and waterfront access. Operations center on five program areas: free public access to grounds and the mansion (weekend self-guided hours); modest-fee guided tours ($10) and recreational boating (free open boating days plus Kayaking 101 workshops); a paid Artist in Residence program funding three Philadelphia-based artists annually at $4,000 stipends each, supported by NEA funding; youth programs including Riverways Ambassador (high school watershed education), Waterborne Boat-Building, Teen Arts, and Lily P.A.D.S. children's workshops; and environmental/recreational programming with partners including Riverways and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack: individual donations and memberships ($50+ annual tier with merchandise discount, free tours, and event invitations), foundation and government grants (William Penn Foundation $850K, NEA, PHMC, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Windgate, Connelly, PNC Charitable Trusts), corporate event rentals via exclusive catering partnerships (Jamie Hollander through 2026, Cescaphe from 2027), modest program fees, and an annual Masquerade Ball fundraiser. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through on-site access, a regional marketing mix anchored by website, email newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, and recurring regional press coverage. The customer base spans four primary segments — general public/community visitors, youth and students, Philadelphia artists, and private event clients (weddings, corporate retreats) — with no proprietary technology infrastructure.
Glen Foerd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Glen Foerd
- Legal name
- Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation
- Website
- https://glenfoerd.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Glen Foerd is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) operating an 84-acre historic Gilded Age riverfront estate in Northeast Philadelphia, offering free public access, artist residencies, youth environmental education, and private event venue rentals in cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Glen Foerd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Historic Estate and Cultural Programming
- NAICS
- Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Historical Sites (712120)
- SIC
- Operators Of Nonresidential Buildings (6512), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- River & Wetland Lodges (Delta/Okavango-style) (THAGAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wilderness & Backcountry Lodges (Remote/Off-Grid) (THAGAIAB), River & Wetland Ecotours (Canoe/Kayak, Mangrove/Swamp Tours) (THAAAEAE), Birding & Wildlife Observation Lodges (THAGAIAK), Wildlife Viewing Hides, Observation Towers & Birding Sites (Managed Access) (THAAAFAE)
Keywords
Where Glen Foerd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Glen Foerd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Memberships: Nonprofit funding through individual donations ($50+ membership benefits include discounts, free tours, and event invitations), corporate sponsorships, and planned giving.
- Event Venue Rentals: Revenue from private events including weddings, catered events, corporate retreats, and photography/film permits. Exclusive catering partnerships with Jamie Hollander Gourmet Cuisine (through 2026) and Cescaphe (from 2027).
- Program Fees: Modest fees for guided tours ($10), workshops, and some programs. Many programs offered free or at low cost (suggested donations of $5-10) to maintain accessibility.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Public Access |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Guided Mansion Tours |
| Subscription | Annual | Supporting Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Glen Foerd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Glen Foerd stewards an 84-acre historic riverfront estate in Northeast Philadelphia at the confluence of the Delaware River and Poquessing Creek. It provides free public access to grounds and self-guided mansion tours, paid guided tours, an Artist in Residence program with stipends, youth environmental and arts education, recreational boating programs, private event/wedding venue rentals with exclusive catering partnerships, and special community events including the annual Masquerade Ball and America's 250th Anniversary programming.
Product overview
Glen Foerd is a nonprofit historic riverfront estate operated by the Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation in cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. The organization offers a portfolio of free and fee-based programs including: free public grounds access and self-guided mansion tours; paid guided tours ($10); an Artist in Residence program with $4,000 stipends; youth programs (Riverways Ambassador, Waterborne Boat-Building, Teen Arts, Lily P.A.D.S.); recreational boating (free Open Boating Days and Kayaking 101 workshops); environmental education (fishing, archery, yoga, workshops); private event/wedding venue rentals; and annual special events including the Masquerade Ball and America's 250th Anniversary programs. Revenue comes from event rentals, donations, and program fees.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Public Grounds Access Free daily access to Glen Foerd's outdoor grounds, formal gardens, and riverfront along the Delaware River and Poquessing Creek, open from 8 AM to Dusk for individual visitors and families.
- Mansion Self-Guided Tours Free public access to the historic Gilded Age Main House on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10AM-1PM, featuring four floors of historic collection pieces and contemporary artist installations.
- Guided Mansion Tours Expert-led tours of the Main House and grounds offered on the 2nd Saturday and 2nd Sunday of each month for $10 per person, providing historical, architectural, and artistic insights.
- Artist in Residence Program Annual residency program for Philadelphia-based artists to create works exploring Glen Foerd's history and contemporary themes, with $4,000 stipends for three artists and culminating in exhibitions and public events.
- Youth Programs Youth programming combining art, history, and environmental science, including Riverways Ambassador (6-week watershed education for high schoolers), Waterborne Boat-Building (school program partnering with Philadelphia schools), Teen Arts, and Lily P.A.D.S. children's workshops.
- Boating Activities Recreational boating activities on the Poquessing Creek and Delaware River, including free Open Boating Days for canoes, rowboats, and kayaks, plus fee-based Kayaking 101 workshops.
- Private Event Rentals Venue rental of the historic Gilded Age mansion and grounds along the Delaware River for weddings, private celebrations, corporate retreats, and photography/film shoots, with exclusive on-site catering partnerships.
- America's 250th Anniversary Programs Special programming for the 2026 America's 250th anniversary, including the Radical Americana Consortium exhibitions and Bells Across PA public art installation at Glen Foerd.
- Masquerade Ball Annual Masquerade Ball fundraiser held on October 30th, featuring circus performers, live music, open bar, dinner, and access to the historic mansion.
Quantifiable outcome
- Free public access to 84-acre riverside estate since 1983
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Glen Foerd
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Glen Foerd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Glen Foerd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Philadelphia Parks and RecreationcoreGlen Foerd is a Fairmount Park property operated by the Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation in formal cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. This partnership provides public funding, operational support, and integration with the city's park system.
- RiverwayscoreRiverways partners with Glen Foerd for Family Fishing Nights on Poquessing Creek and Delaware River, providing equipment, instruction, and environmental education.
- Pennsylvania Game CommissionminorPartners with Glen Foerd for archery programming. NASP-certified Basic Archery Instructors lead workshops for adults and children ages 8+.
- Jamie Hollander Gourmet CuisinecoreExclusive catering partner for all events at Glen Foerd through 2026. Provides professional catering services for weddings and private events.
- CescaphecoreExclusive catering and event partner for Glen Foerd beginning in 2027, succeeding Jamie Hollander Gourmet Cuisine.
- The Clay StudiocoreGlen Foerd participates in Clay Studio's Radical Americana consortium - a citywide initiative uniting 25 Philadelphia arts institutions for Semiquincentennial (2026).
- Mural Arts PhiladelphiacoreCollaborated on America250PA Bells Across Pennsylvania initiative. Shira Walinsky co-founded Southeast by Southeast with Mural Arts for refugee/immigrant communities.
- Riverfront NorthminorPartner organization working to improve access and programming along the Delaware River waterfront in North Philadelphia.
- America's Garden CapitalminorMember of consortium of Philadelphia-area historic gardens and estates open to the public, providing cross-promotion and visitor referrals.
- Art-ReachminorPartnership to provide discounts to Pennsylvania ACCESS cardholders, improving accessibility for visitors with disabilities.
- The Secret CinemaminorFilm organization presenting silent films with live organ accompaniment at Glen Foerd, including 'The Blasphemer' (1921) with organist Don Kinnier.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Glen Foerd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Shofuso Japanese House and Garden: Philadelphia historic house and garden in West Fairmount Park offering public access, cultural programming, and event rentals; comparable as a Philadelphia heritage site with similar tours/events model.
- Cliveden: National Trust historic house museum in Philadelphia's Germantown offering public tours, school programs, and community events; highly comparable as another Philadelphia-area house museum with free/discounted programming for residents.
- Andalusia Foundation: Historic estate on the Delaware River in Bucks County offering public access, environmental programs, and arts programming; directly comparable as a nearby Delaware River heritage property with public engagement mission.
- Johnson House Historic Site: Philadelphia historic house museum with strong social-justice programming and community partnership focus; comparable because both organizations pair heritage preservation with mission-driven programs reframing traditional historical narratives.
- Bartram's Garden: Philadelphia historic estate on the Schuylkill River offering free public grounds access, gardens, environmental education, and event programming; structurally the closest comparable because both are urban riverside heritage properties with public access, education, and event mandates.
- Wyck Historic House and Garden: Philadelphia historic house museum with gardens in Germantown offering tours, public programs, and family/community events; comparable as a city-based heritage house with a similar programming mix and nonprofit structure.
- Pennsbury Manor: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission historic estate in Bucks County offering tours, school programs, and public events; comparable as another Delaware Valley historic estate with similar audience and program mix.
- Morris Arboretum: University of Pennsylvania arboretum in the Philadelphia suburbs offering public access, events, education, and weddings; comparable as a heritage garden estate with public programming and event rentals.
Broad incumbents
- Longwood Gardens: Large-scale public garden and estate in Kennett Square, PA offering public access, ticketed programming, weddings, and major events; comparable as a regional heritage garden with overlapping wedding/events audience but at much greater scale.
Others
- Delaware River Greenway Partnership: Regional nonprofit working to improve access and programming along the Delaware River corridor; relevant as a programmatic peer and occasional co-marketing partner, though focused on the corridor broadly rather than operating a single estate.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Glen Foerd social profiles
Digital presenceGlen Foerd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Glen Foerd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
Glen Foerd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Glen Foerd 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 Glen Foerd
What does Glen Foerd do?
Glen Foerd stewards an 84-acre historic riverfront estate in Northeast Philadelphia at the confluence of the Delaware River and Poquessing Creek. It provides free public access to grounds and self-guided mansion tours, paid guided tours, an Artist in Residence program with stipends, youth environmental and arts education, recreational boating programs, private event/wedding venue rentals with exclusive catering partnerships, and special community events including the annual Masquerade Ball and America's 250th Anniversary programming.
Is Glen Foerd a public or private company?
Glen Foerd is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Glen Foerd founded?
Glen Foerd was founded in 1983. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Glen Foerd based?
Glen Foerd is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Glen Foerd make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Memberships are the primary driver. The others are event Venue Rentals and program Fees.
Who are Glen Foerd's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Cliveden, Andalusia Foundation, Johnson House Historic Site, Bartram's Garden, Wyck Historic House and Garden, Pennsbury Manor and Morris Arboretum. Longwood Gardens is listed as a broad incumbent. Delaware River Greenway Partnership is listed as an others.
Does Glen Foerd have an API?
No public API is recorded for Glen Foerd.
What industry is Glen Foerd in?
Glen Foerd's product category is Historic Estate and Cultural Programming. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGAIAG, River & Wetland Lodges (Delta/Okavango-style), with a secondary code of THAGAIAB, Wilderness & Backcountry Lodges (Remote/Off-Grid). Its NAICS code is 712190 and its SIC code is 6512.