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National Park Foundation

Annual Giving
$115.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $32.5M

National Park Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $115 million (FY2023 program grants and support)
  • Total Revenue: $275 million (FY2024)
  • Total Assets: $561 million (FY2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $32,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: United States (all National Park Service sites)

Contact Details

Address: 1500 K Street NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 202-796-2500 | Toll-Free: 888-467-2757

Email: ask@nationalparks.org

Grant Program Inquiries: grants@nationalparks.org

Land Conservation Loan Program: [email protected]

Website: nationalparks.org

Overview

The National Park Foundation (NPF) is the official charitable partner of the National Park Service, chartered by Congress in 1967 to support and enhance America's 400+ national park sites. With total assets of $561 million and annual revenue of $275 million (FY2024), NPF provided $115 million in program grants and support to national parks in FY2023, making 409 awards in 2024. The foundation's mission focuses on preserving and protecting national parks for present and future generations, with recent strategic priorities emphasizing inclusive storytelling, youth engagement, environmental stewardship, and technological innovation. In August 2024, NPF received a historic $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the largest single grant in the organization's history, demonstrating the foundation's growing impact and philanthropic reach.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Inclusive Storytelling Program: Variable amounts (recent cohort: $4.6 million distributed across 60 projects)

  • Supports documentation, preservation, and sharing of diverse stories that shaped American history
  • Enables parks to update interpretive programs, websites, visitor centers, exhibitions, podcasts, and trainings
  • Application: Rolling basis via online portal

Innovation Grants Program: Variable amounts

  • Supports partner-led projects enhancing visitor experience, resource management, and park operations
  • Accepts Letters of Interest from conceptual ideas to implementation-ready projects
  • Application: Rolling basis, submissions via email

Junior Ranger Angler Program: Up to $25,000

  • Funds in-park fishing clinics, gear libraries, and youth engagement activities
  • Recent cohort: 37 grantees across the country
  • Application: Online portal in Fluxx (annual application window, typically opens December)

Park Partner Capacity Building Grants: $50,000 - $100,000

  • Strengthens organizational and philanthropic capacity of official NPS park partners
  • Supports organizational growth, assessments, strategic planning, and professional development
  • Requires NPS approval before submission
  • Application: Annual Request for Proposals

Partnership Lift Team Program: Variable amounts

  • Application period typically closes in December for following calendar year

Land Conservation Loan Program: Variable amounts (low-interest loans)

  • Makes loans for land acquisition projects for National Park sites
  • Pre-approval required before formal application
  • Contact foundation to inquire about project fit

Strong Parks, Strong Communities Program: Variable amounts

  • Direct grants to park partner organizations for capacity building

Priority Areas

NPF's current strategic priorities include:

  1. Inclusive Storytelling: Documenting diverse voices and perspectives that shaped American history, particularly stories of underrepresented communities and social justice movements

  2. Youth Engagement and Education: Creating environmental stewardship opportunities for young people, including Junior Ranger programs and service corps initiatives

  3. Conservation and Environmental Protection: Protecting fragile ecosystems, diverse species, and park habitats; supporting climate resilience efforts

  4. Visitor Experience Enhancement: Developing new technologies and innovative approaches to improve visitor experiences and access

  5. Infrastructure and Facilities: Rehabilitating trails, visitor centers, and other park facilities

  6. Community Partnerships: Supporting philanthropic partnerships with Friends groups, cooperating associations, and community-based organizations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in available materials, NPF's eligibility restrictions indicate they:

  • Only fund projects directly related to National Park Service units and sites
  • Require applicants to be NPS units/offices or existing NPS nonprofit partners (Friends groups, cooperating associations, or designated NPS partners)
  • Do not accept applications from organizations without established NPS partnerships

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Will Shafroth

Key Executive Staff:

  • Chief Program Officer: Lise Aangeenbrug
  • Vice President, Grants Administration: Jane Ward

Board Structure: NPF is governed by a Board of Directors that includes members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior and other prominent individuals from business, philanthropy, and public service.

Leadership Perspective: Will Shafroth has articulated NPF's vision of making national parks accessible "for everyone, for generations to come." On the historic $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment, Shafroth stated: "For over 50 years, private philanthropy has played a vital role in bridging the gap between park needs and available funding. This grant will allow us to supercharge our efforts." He emphasizes how national parks unite Americans, noting: "our country just feels so divided in so many ways, especially politically. It feels like those divisions just dissolve when people enter a national park."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application methods vary by program:

Rolling Basis Programs (Innovation Grants, Inclusive Storytelling):

  • Submit Letters of Interest via email to grants@nationalparks.org
  • Can range from conceptual stage ideas to implementation-ready projects
  • Welcome submissions throughout the year

Online Portal Programs (Junior Ranger Angler, Park Partner Capacity Building):

  • Access applications through Fluxx online system
  • Annual application windows (typically opening in December)
  • Technical support available at grants@nationalparks.org

Pre-Contact Required (Land Conservation Loan Program):

  • Contact [email protected] to inquire about project fit
  • Once pre-approved, receive formal application instructions via email

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be NPS units/offices OR existing NPS nonprofit partners (Friends groups, cooperating associations, or designated NPS partners)
  • Grant system is restricted to National Park Service units and established NPS partners only
  • For Park Partner Capacity Building Grants: Must have existing long-term philanthropic, cooperative, or cooperating association agreement with NPS
  • All applications require National Park Service approval (from Affiliated Park Superintendent, NPS site leadership representative, or NPS Regional Partnership Coordinator) before submission

Decision Timeline

Timelines vary by program and are not publicly specified. Decision timeframes depend on:

  • Type and complexity of grant program
  • Application review cycles (rolling vs. fixed deadline programs)
  • Required NPS approvals and partnership coordination

Applicants should expect several weeks to months for review processes.

Success Rates

The National Park Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rates or acceptance percentages for their grant programs. NPF made 409 awards in 2024, but total application numbers are not published, making it difficult to calculate acceptance rates.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. For unsuccessful applicants seeking guidance, contact grants@nationalparks.org for program-specific advice.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Projects should clearly connect to NPF's current focus areas, particularly inclusive storytelling, youth engagement, conservation, and visitor experience enhancement.

NPS Partnership Requirement: Success requires either being an NPS unit or having an established partnership agreement with the National Park Service. Applications without this foundation will not be considered.

NPS Approval: All applications must secure National Park Service approval from appropriate site leadership before submission—this is non-negotiable.

Innovation and Creativity: NPF explicitly values "innovative and creative 'big picture' thinking around creative solutions to pressing organizational needs."

Inclusive Storytelling Emphasis: For projects involving interpretation or visitor engagement, demonstrate how the project addresses diverse perspectives and voices historically underrepresented in national park narratives.

Organizational Capacity: For partner organizations, show strong organizational health or clearly articulate how capacity building funds will strengthen operations.

Measurable Impact: Projects should demonstrate clear outcomes for parks, visitors, or conservation efforts.

Sustainability: While not explicitly stated, demonstrating how projects will have lasting impact beyond the grant period strengthens applications.

Community Engagement: Projects that involve local communities, tribes, or diverse stakeholder groups align with NPF's inclusive mission.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Partnership is mandatory: You cannot apply unless you are an NPS unit or have an existing formal partnership agreement with the National Park Service. If you don't have this relationship, focus on building it first.

  • Inclusive storytelling is a major priority: With $4.6 million invested in this program in 2024 alone (60 projects), applications that document diverse voices and underrepresented histories are strongly prioritized.

  • Think big and innovative: NPF explicitly seeks "big picture" thinking and creative solutions. Don't shy away from ambitious proposals if they align with strategic priorities.

  • Youth engagement opens doors: Programs like Junior Ranger Angler received significant investment (37 grantees, up to $25,000 each). Youth-focused projects have clear pathways to funding.

  • Get NPS approval early: Since all applications require NPS approval before submission, engage park superintendents or regional partnership coordinators early in the planning process.

  • Consider capacity building: If you're a Friends group or cooperating association, the $50,000-$100,000 Park Partner Capacity Building Grants offer substantial support for organizational strengthening.

  • Multiple funding streams available: NPF offers diverse programs from small grants ($5,000-$25,000) to major initiatives (millions). Identify the right fit for your project scale and then tailor your approach accordingly.

References

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