Cabrillo National Monument Foundation

What Cabrillo National Monument Foundation does

Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Diego, California, that serves as the official philanthropic and cooperating partner of the U.S. National Park Service for Cabrillo National Monument. Founded in 1956 (originally as the Cabrillo Historical Association), CNMF supports the monument through member donations, grants, retail operations, ticketed events, and educational programming tied to the site's commemorative mission honoring Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's 1542 landing on the Pacific coast. Its core programs include interpretive and educational support for park staff, archival museum collections, the annual Cabrillo Under the Stars fundraiser, the Love Your Park Week restaurant-dining campaign, and wildlife-related giving such as the Adopt-a-Critter initiative.

The foundation's underlying operational technology stack is composed entirely of third-party commercial SaaS platforms rather than proprietary systems: Givecloud for donation management and recurring memberships, Lightspeed for retail point-of-sale at the park store, PayPal for payment processing, and ArcGIS for spatial/geographic interpretation. The organization runs a tiered membership model (including a newly introduced Park Luminaries premium tier in 2026) alongside event ticketing, in-park retail, and restricted/unrestricted donations, with no disclosed proprietary software development or data products. Park visitors number approximately 1 million annually, providing the addressable donor and retail audience for the foundation's programs.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model spanning annual fund donations, membership subscriptions at multiple price points, retail store sales, ticket-based events such as Cabrillo Under the Stars (priced $125–$500), dining-partner campaigns, and institutional grants including a $50,000 award from the National Park Foundation in 2025. Disclosed annual support reached $224,000+ in a single fiscal year across store sales, grants, and donations, with active digital campaigns routinely exceeding their fundraising targets.

Name

Cabrillo National Monument Foundation

Legal name

Cabrillo National Monument Foundation

Website

https://cnmf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cabrillo National Monument Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the official philanthropic partner of the National Park Service for Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, funding interpretive, educational, and community programs through memberships, donations, retail, and events for the park's roughly 1 million annual visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• National park philanthropy
• Conservation fundraising
• Membership programs
• Park retail merchandise
• Nonprofit donor services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Retail Store Sales: The Cabrillo Store operates both at the Visitor Center (inside park) and online at shop.cnmf.org. Products include apparel, books, collectibles, games, and plush items featuring Cabrillo National Monument branding. All proceeds support CNMF programs and park initiatives.
2. Membership Program: Multi-tiered membership program with 5 levels ranging from $5 to $500 annually. Benefits include store discounts, event tickets, early access to events, and exclusive member-only experiences. Serves as recurring revenue stream from individual supporters.
3. Donations and Grants: Individual donations collected via website, event donations, and major grants. Received $50,000 from National Park Foundation's Collective Campaign for National Parks in 2025. Corporate and community sponsorships support specific programs and events.
4. Event Fundraising: Signature annual event Cabrillo Under the Stars sells tickets at $125-$500 per person. Additional events like whale watch tours and member events generate both ticket revenue and donations. 2026 event expects 300 guests and 15 local food/beverage vendors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cabrillo National Monument Foundation (CNMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as the official philanthropic partner of the National Park Service for Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. The foundation raises funds through a multi-tier membership program, an onsite and online retail store selling park-themed merchandise, donations and grants, and signature fundraising events such as Cabrillo Under the Stars and the Whale Watch Festival. All proceeds fund park programs in resource protection, public education, and visitor experience enhancement.

Product overview

Cabrillo National Monument Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing a multi-channel product and service portfolio centered on supporting Cabrillo National Monument. The core offerings include a tiered membership program (Explorer, Lighthouse, Tidepool, Conservation, Park Luminaries), the Cabrillo Store (both physical and online retail), and various fundraising mechanisms including one-time donations, monthly giving, and symbolic animal adoptions. Signature events include the annual Cabrillo Under the Stars fundraising gala and the Whale Watch Festival. Additional offerings include a Virtual Tour experience, Legacy Circle planned giving program, and a Tributes virtual wall. All products and services directly fund park programs including resource protection, public education, and visitor experience enhancement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CNMF Membership Program A multi-tiered annual membership program with levels ranging from Explorer ($5) through Park Luminaries ($125/month), offering benefits including store discounts, member event tickets, early-bird invitations, and a one-year park pass. Open to individual supporters of Cabrillo National Monument.
• Cabrillo Store Retail store operating both inside the Visitor Center at Cabrillo National Monument and online at shop.cnmf.org, selling park-themed apparel, books, collectibles, games, and plush items. Open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. All proceeds support park programs.
• Donations One-time and monthly donation options for individual supporters funding educational, conservation, and community programs at Cabrillo National Monument, processed through the give.cnmf.org platform.
• Adopt a Cabrillo Critter Symbolic animal adoption program offering Adopt a Bee, Bird, or Octopus options at $250 each, with benefits including a one-year park pass and exclusive event invitations. Monthly donation option available.
• Cabrillo Under the Stars Signature annual fundraising event for adults 21+ featuring live music by That Beatles Cover Band, local food and beverage tastings, and panoramic ocean views. Tickets priced from $125 (early bird) to $500 (premium seating).
• Cabrillo Legacy Circle Legacy gift program for supporters who include the Foundation in their estate planning through wills, trusts, or retirement accounts, ensuring continued support for Cabrillo National Monument.
• Virtual Tour Online virtual tour experience of Cabrillo National Monument powered by ArcGIS StoryMaps, allowing remote exploration of the park's cultural and natural resources.
• Park Luminaries Premium membership tier at $125/month offering a one-year Cabrillo Park Pass, 15% store discount, unlimited member event tickets, early-bird invitations, and two tickets to exclusive Luminary Society events.
• Tributes Virtual wall program allowing supporters to honor loved ones or recognize special memories and passion for Cabrillo National Monument through tribute contributions.
• Whale Watch Festival Annual all-ages public celebration featuring exhibitors, expert speakers, hands-on activities, and land-based whale watching during the gray whale migration at Cabrillo National Monument.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $224,000 raised in 2023 from store sales, grants, and donations to support park programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Kinnaird (Lead Sponsor - Cabrillo Under the Stars 2026)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Helen Kinnaird, a board member, serves as Lead Sponsor for Cabrillo Under the Stars 2026. Two Premium Seating ticket purchases at CUTS qualifies as Park Luminary for one year.
• That Beatles Cover BandmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Entertainment sponsor for Cabrillo Under the Stars 2026. Six-talented professional musicians performing Beatles classics at the event.
• 15 Local Food and Beverage VendorsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with 15 local restaurants, breweries, wineries, and food vendors for Cabrillo Under the Stars 2026. Includes: Newport National Prohibition Legal, Extraordinary Banana Pudding, Peet's Coffee, Bay City Brewing Co, Karl Strauss, Solare, Jensen's Foods, Westfield Winery, Supannee House Thai Catering, Barons Market, OB Water Store, Fallbrook Winery, The Shawarma Guys, Cedar Bakehouse, PLFS. All provide complimentary tastings to event guests.
• National Park FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025National Park Foundation (NPF) is the official charity of America's national parks. CNMF received a $50,000 grant from NPF's Collective Campaign for National Parks in 2025 to strengthen fundraising capabilities. CNMF Executive Director participated in NPF's Hill Day in Washington D.C. NPF collaboration on Inside the Parks webinar series featuring National Park advocates.
• GoodPoint (Entertainment Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Entertainment sponsor supporting Cabrillo Under the Stars 2026 event.
• Service Kings (Community Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Community sponsor for Cabrillo Under the Stars 2026.
• Social Light Letters (Community Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Community sponsor for Cabrillo Under the Stars 2026.
• Local Point Loma and Ocean Beach RestaurantsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Love Your Park Week dining campaign partners with local restaurants. Ketch Grill & Tops and Ellie's Wood Fired Pizza participated. Restaurants donate percentage of proceeds during campaign to CNMF.
• National Park Service (NPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partnership as philanthropic partner providing essential support to Cabrillo National Monument. NPS staff collaborate on events, education programs, volunteer coordination, and park operations. CNMF funds programs that NPS fees cannot cover.
• Public Lands AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNMF membership includes access to the Public Lands Alliance Reciprocal Discount Program, providing members with at least 10% off at 500+ participating public lands retail stores nationwide. This partnership extends member value beyond San Diego.
• San Diego Astronomy AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for stargazing and moonlight walk events at Cabrillo National Monument. Association provides telescopes and expertise for member-exclusive astronomy events.
• San Diego Bird AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host partner for Love Your Wetlands Day event, co-hosted at UC San Diego's Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve.
• UC San Diego Natural Reserve SystemminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host partner for Love Your Wetlands Day event at Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve.
• City of San Diego Parks and RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Love Your Wetlands Day event co-hosted at UC San Diego's Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve.
• Tijuana River National Estuarine Research ReserveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Love Your Wetlands Day event.
• San Diego Archeological CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive behind-the-scenes tours offered to CNMF members. Dr. G. Timothy Gross, San Diego Archeological Board President and archaeologist, leads tours.
• WILDCOASTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpeaker at Whale Watch Weekend festival. Presents on marine conservation topics including gray whales and Marine Protected Areas.
• NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrevor Joyce, Research Biologist from NOAA Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, presents at Whale Watch Weekend festival.
• Hubbs Seaworld Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Audra Ames and Dr. Ann Bowles present on whale acoustics and tracking research at Whale Watch Weekend festival.
• Scripps Institution of OceanographyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Dimitri Deheyn presents on fluorescence research from intertidal sea anemones at Whale Watch Weekend festival.
• Wild Pacific Whale WatchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides fundraising whale watch tours aboard the Peregrine vessel for CNMF supporters. Tours feature expert naturalists and opportunities to spot gray, humpback, fin, or minke whales.
• In Motion EventsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizer of AFC Half Marathon & 5K race starting at Cabrillo National Monument. Long-standing partnership where race proceeds support science education, habitat restoration, and park preservation.
• Protector BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Cheers for Cabrillo! trivia events. Donates portion of drink sales to support trails, tidepools, habitat, and history at the park.
• REI San DiegominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCNMF tables at REI Co-op Member Print Shop Events. Members eligible for free screen-printed items. CNMF opportunity drawing for swag basket.
• Mt. Helix ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Nature Day event and Walk-and-Talk nature programs. Ed Piffard, native plant landscaper, advises habitat restoration team at Mt. Helix Park.
• Global Day of UnpluggingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerClaudia Erickson MPH, Co-Executive Director, leads tech-life balance Walk-and-Talk events at Bayside Trail.
• San Diego CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization shown in CNMF's partner logos section.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Yosemite Conservancy: Official nonprofit philanthropic partner of Yosemite National Park, raising funds through memberships, retail, and events to support conservation, education, and visitor programs. Directly comparable in mission, revenue model, and exclusive NPS partnership model to CNMF.
• Yellowstone Forever: Official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park, funded through memberships, retail, and donations to support conservation and education. Direct peer in the national-park-philanthropy model with multi-tiered membership and retail operations.
• Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy: Nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and Presidio Trust supporting Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Operates parks stores, membership programs, and signature fundraising events with a similar structure to CNMF but at much larger scale.
• NatureBridge: National nonprofit that delivers residential environmental education programs in national parks, including Yosemite and Olympic. Comparable in mission (education in national parks) and donor-supported funding model, though focused on programming rather than retail/events.

Broad incumbents

• National Park Foundation: Official nonprofit charity of the National Park Service as a whole, providing grants (including the $50,000 grant to CNMF) to park-specific partners. Operates as a broader umbrella that supports rather than competes with park-level foundations like CNMF.

Regional players

• WILDCOAST: Imperial Beach/San Diego-based conservation nonprofit operating coastal and marine conservation programs. Direct presenting partner at CNMF's Whale Watch Festival, with overlapping conservation and donor-network profile in the San Diego region.
• San Diego Audubon Society: Local conservation nonprofit in San Diego focused on birding and habitat conservation, with partnerships involving CNMF (Love Your Wetlands Day). Comparable in regional conservation focus, donor base, and event-based engagement.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Major San Diego-based conservation nonprofit operating the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, with membership programs, retail, and conservation funding. Comparable San Diego market and member-driven model, but serves a zoological rather than national park mission.

Others

• Scripps Institution of Oceanography: UC San Diego ocean and earth science research institution that presents at CNMF's Whale Watch Festival. Overlapping marine conservation education programming and shared San Diego scientific/cultural network, but a research institution rather than a fundraising nonprofit.
• Public Lands Alliance: National association of nonprofit partners serving public lands, of which CNMF is a member through its reciprocal discount program. Adjacent network/comparator providing shared retail and member-benefit infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/cnmfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Cabrillo National Monument Foundation