NPF Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT

2021

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ANNUAL REPORT

2021

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Message from the President and Chair

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Protecting America’s Stories and Landscapes

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Mission and Vision

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Investing in the Future

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Purpose and Organization

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Financial Summary

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Our Parks

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Executive Summary

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Answering the Call

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Thank You

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Making and Strengthening Connections

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CHAIR The National Park Foundation (NPF) continued to deliver significant impact to parks all over the country this year, helping to ensure America’s national parks thrive now and in the future.

As usual, the Foundation did not do it alone, and that continues to make all the difference. The impact the National Park Foundation and partners are making possible in parks across the country is impressive and inspiring.

Last year, the Foundation’s close alignment with the National Park Service, active engagement with park partners, and the tremendous generosity of donors helped to connect more than 184,000 students to parks and ensured that more than 900 miles of park trails were maintained to enhance visitor experience. The Foundation and partners modernized campgrounds and trails at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, making them more accessible to all. Visitors to Badlands National Park can look forward to a new state of the art visitor center that will feature opportunities to learn about the history, culture, and heritage of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Lakota People.

The Foundation is helping keep national parks wild and resilient, investing in restoration of native wildlife and habitat. From Yellowstone to Denali and Everglades to Pinnacles, Foundationfunded efforts to study, protect, and restore some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the country are supporting the long-term health of natural landscapes and wildlife, including bison, gopher tortoises, monarch butterflies, wolves, bald eagles, cutthroat trout, and California condors.

Underscoring its commitment to bringing history to life in parks, the Foundation and 4

partners celebrated the grand opening of Pullman National Monument, Chicago’s first national park site. Lead gifts from the Pritzker Traubert Foundation and other donors laid the groundwork for success. Local partners, including the Chicago Neighborhood Initiative, the Historic Pullman Foundation, the State of Illinois, and the National Park Service stepped up to provide critical investment and expertise to ensure Pullman’s rich history is preserved and a fuller story is told.

Taken as a whole, Pullman National Monument tells the story of American opportunity, trial, and triumph. It is the story of industrialization in America’s heartland, one of the nation’s first planned communities, and the inspiring story of Pullman porters who championed an emerging labor and civil rights movement.

The Foundation expanded its investment in service corps programs last year. NPF-supported crews contributed nearly 60,000 hours of service at more than 50 national parks. Crew members restored natural habitat, improved trails, planted trees, and were trained to fight wildfires.

The Foundation’s impact in the parks has a direct connection to the funds NPF is able to raise. In 2021, the Foundation exceeded its goals by raising more than $128 million in total revenue, thanks to donations from individuals, families, foundations, and corporations. Special gratitude goes to the hard-working staff and dedicated board and national council for their ongoing support.

Finally, the Foundation welcomes National Park Service Director Chuck Sams and looks forward to a long and strong partnership with him and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Investing in the

“From Yellowstone to Denali and Everglades to Pinnacles, Foundationfunded efforts to study, protect, and restore some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the country are supporting the long-term health of natural landscapes and wildlife, including bison, gopher tortoises, monarch butterflies, wolves, bald eagles, cutthroat trout, and California condors.”

future of parks, enhancing visitor experience, bringing innovative solutions to address the impacts of climate change in parks, and advancing equity, inclusion, and access in parks are priorities shared by the National Park Foundation and the park partner community.

With energy and anticipation, the Foundation’s leadership and staff look forward to continuing our work to protect America’s national parks, and to inspire all people to connect with and protect the places that belong to us all.

The National Park Foundation’s ability to support the parks is greatly enhanced when its partners succeed. That’s why a big focus of the Foundation’s work is to increase the capacity of our park partners. This year, that manifested in more than 50 grants to partners across the country designed to meet their growing needs to impact parks throughout the park system.

This work with local Friends Groups and other partners is fundamental to our collective success in both impacting the parks and visitors’ experience as well as making national parks a philanthropic priority.

Will Shafroth President & CEO National Park Foundation

Rick L. James Chair National Park Foundation

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WE LOVE NATIONAL PARKS As the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. In collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and the generous support of our donors, the National Park Foundation ensures that America’s national parks continue to thrive and deepen their connection to the millions who cherish these parks.

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MISSION

VISION

As the official nonprofit partner of the National

Inspiring all people to connect with and protect

Park Service, the National Park Foundation

America’s national parks.

generates private support and builds strategic partnerships to protect and enhance America’s national parks for present and future generations.

LEADERSHIP

PRESIDENT & CEO Will Shafroth

BOARD OF DIRECTORS William O. Hiltz

Al Baldwin Newport Beach, CA

Chair New York, NY

Joseph P. Landy

Brenda Potterfield

Washington, D.C.

New York, NY

Columbia, MO

Lisa Eccles

Susan LaPierre

Salt Lake City, UT

Vienna, VA

Robert S. Rivkin

Austin Beutner Los Angeles, CA

Rick James Treasurer

Thomas Brown

Auburn, IN

Redington Beach, FL

Cynthia Fisher

John DeStefano

Chicago, IL

Randi Fisher

Sean Maloney

San Francisco, CA

Palo Alto, CA

Assistant

Stephen Chazen

Tom Goss

John L. Nau, III

Secretary

Houston, TX

Detroit, MI

Houston, TX

Melinda Stearns Santa Ana, CA

Melani Walton

Newton, MA

Rhoda Altom

Karen Swett Conway

Andrea “AJ” Grant

Seattle, WA

Boston, MA

Boulder, CO

Patricia Arvielo

Steven A. Denning

William E. Grayson

Austin, CA

Greenwich, CT

San Francisco, CA

Barbara Neal

Scottsdale, AZ

Chicago, IL

William F. Pickard

Gregory Annenberg Weingarten

Detroit, MI

Los Angeles, CA

Quinton Martin

NATIONAL COUNCIL Rhoda Altom

Nancy Bechtle

Linda J. Fisher

Ellen Malcolm

Co-Chair

San Francisco, CA

Washington, D.C.

Washington. D.C.

Jim Forbes

Randi Fisher

Martha Bernadett

Richard Malloch

Scott Moore

Co-Chair

Rolling Hills, CA

Greenwich, CT

Omaha, NE

David Marchick

Winifred Ohrstrom Nichols

Seattle, WA

Atlanta, GA

Susan Byrd

Chicago, IL

Simi Valley, CA

Thomas Hand

San Francisco, CA

Ellen Alberding

New York, NY

Richmond Hill, GA

San Francisco, CA

Mark Headley Darrell Crate

Berkeley, CA

Washington, D.C.

Dean & Kathleen Rasmussen

Mclean, VA

Kevin & Winifred Reilly Baton Rouge, IA

Karen Skelton Sacramento, CA

South Hamilton, MA

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PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION PURPOSE As the official national nonprofit partner of the National Park Service (NPS), the National Park Foundation (NPF or the Foundation) seeks to generate private support and build strategic partnerships to protect and enhance America’s national parks for present and future generations.

NPF strives to ensure that America’s national parks reach their fullest potential and touch as many lives as possible. This translates into protecting natural landscapes, wilderness, historical sites and places of cultural significance, connecting people to the national parks and connecting partners to the national parks. NPF does this in full partnership with NPS.

“NPF strives to ensure that America’s national parks reach their fullest potential and touch as many lives as possible. This translates into protecting natural landscapes, wilderness, historical sites and places of cultural significance...”

ORGANIZATION The Foundation, a not-for-profit, charitable corporation located in Washington, D.C., was established in 1967 by an Act of the U.S. Congress (Public Law 90-209) to help support NPS. Effective December 16, 2016, Public Law 90-209 was amended by enactment of Public Law 114-289. Public Law 114-289 provides that the Foundation shall consist of a Board of Directors having as members no fewer than six private citizens of the United States appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.

The Secretary and the Director of NPS shall be non-voting, ex officio members of the Board. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be elected by the Board of Directors from its members for a two-year term. Activities of the Foundation to solicit, accept, administer, and use any gifts, devises, or bequests for the benefit of, or in connection with NPS shall be undertaken after consultation with the Director of NPS to ensure that these activities are consistent with NPS programs and policies.

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THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE FOUNDATION DIVERSITY

EDUCATION

NPF is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion among the staff, Board of Directors and partners.

The Foundation helps to educate the public on the value of national parks and why they must be protected and preserved for current and future generations.

PHILANTHROPY

COMMON GROUND

The Foundation excites philanthropic support and stewards that support to have a direct and meaningful impact on national parks.

The Foundation provides common ground where all who love the national parks can contribute to a shared vision in support of them.

PARTNERSHIP

INNOVATION

The Foundation convenes and enhances strategic partnerships to achieve broader impacts within the national parks.

The Foundation employs an entrepreneurial approach to address the complex challenges facing the national parks.

IMPACT

FUTURE ORIENTATION

The Foundation invests in critical projects that provide long-lasting, measurable benefits to national parks.

The Foundation provides thought leadership, and helps NPS to anticipate future challenges and creates long-term solutions.

STEWARDSHIP The Foundation fosters a culture of community and stewardship over the national parks.

Strategic Partnership with NPS: The Foundation works closely with NPS to identify, fund, and advance priority initiatives.

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2 ALASKA Denali National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, Katmai National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kobuk Valley National Park, Lake Clark National Park, WrangellSt. Elias National Park ARIZONA Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Saguaro National Park ARKANSAS Hot Springs National Park 10

CALIFORNIA Channel Islands National Park, Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Pinnacles National Park, Redwood National Park, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park COLORADO Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park

FLORIDA

NEW MEXICO

Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Park

HAWAII

NORTH CAROLINA

Haleakala National Park, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

IDAHO

OHIO Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Yellowstone National Park KENTUCKY Mammoth Cave National Park INDIANA Indiana Dunes National Park MAINE

OREGON Crater Lake National Park SOUTH CAROLINA Congaree National Park SOUTH DAKOTA

Acadia National Park

Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park

MICHIGAN

TENNESSEE

Isle Royale National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

MINNESOTA

TEXAS

Voyageurs National Park MISSOURI

Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park

UTAH Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Zion National Park

NEVADA

WASHINGTON

Gateway Arch National Park MONTANA

Death Valley National Park, Great Basin National Park

Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park

NORTH DAKOTA

WEST VIRGINIA

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

New River Gorge National Park 11

ANSWERING THE CALL Coyotes howl, waterfalls roar, history sings, and wind whispers. From nature to wildlife, culture to history, every national park makes a sound – a gracious invitation known as wonder. However it calls, the National Park Foundation answers. Throughout an exceptionally challenging year, NPF, alongside partners and generous supporters, answered this call in unexpected and innovative ways. From exploring parks digitally and elevating new voices, to expanding support of those who work in parks and the wildlife that call parks home, NPF remained committed to its core values and embraced change. National parks connect us, not only to nature, but to ourselves and to one another. They enrich our lives by providing comfort and a connection to our shared history.

Whether it’s rugged wilderness, cultural landmarks, historic monuments, or the homes of leaders and visionaries, national parks call to each of us in a variety of ways. NPF is dedicated to supporting our parks for present and future generations, because national parks don’t just stand for where America has been – they inspire where we go next.

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MAKING AND STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS

ENCOURAGING VISITORS TO #RECREATERESPONSIBLY As visitors flocked to parks to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors, NPS, NPF, and partners pivoted to #RecreateResponsibly messaging, detailing ways for park lovers to stay safe while visiting parks. With guidelines on how to pack for your trip, travel safely, and keep your distance when in the parks, #RecreateResponsibly messaging is a helpful reminder how small, simple steps can make a big impact on how we all can enjoy our national parks mindfully.

GOING THE DISTANCE A growing necessity for virtual learning has emerged due to COVID-19. NPF worked alongside NPS to facilitate a program design workshop, engaging leading experts in evaluation, digital programming, community organizing, and other areas to advise on best practices for virtual programming. The workshop led to the creation of Open Out Doors for Kids Hybrid Learning, an extension of NPF’s Field Trip Grant program.

The Hybrid Learning program will introduce new distance learning techniques to connect students, teachers, and families to the local natural, cultural, and historical resources found in national parks.

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SPOTLIGHTING PARK EMPLOYEES To celebrate NPS’ birthday, NPF launched a new Find Your Park campaign – National Park Ambassadors! Highlighting the efforts of NPS employees and volunteers, this video series offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the life and work of those serving in our parks and allows users to submit their own notes of thanks. The initial launch of eight stories earned over 21 million impressions and over 56,000 users visited the page on FindYourPark.com.

CASTING A WIDER NET NPF worked with NPS to provide funds to nearly 30 parks where kids will make fishing memories that will last a lifetime. This year, NPF and partners continued the growth of the Junior Ranger Angler program and in some parks, rangers were able to implement social distancing measures to keep everyone safe while they enjoyed the benefits of being outside in a national park.

At New River Gorge National River, family units were separated on the riverbank by several hundred yards while educational stations on nearby picnic tables allowed them to attend mini workshops on angling, including tying lines, which fish to keep, and how to handle fish.

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PROTECTING AMERICA’S STORIES AND LANDSCAPES

HONORING ANCESTRAL HERITAGE Thanks to a partnership between The Conservation Fund, NPF, the Hoonah Indian Association, and NPS, a 150-acre cultural site located at the head of Berg Bay at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve will be protected in perpetuity as part of the National Park System.

The site is a sacred place for the Huna Tlingit, the people native to Glacier Bay, and encompasses a large portion of Chookanhéeni [Grassy River]: the site of an ancestral Tlingit village and the place of origin of the Chookaneidí Clan.

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY IN PARKS In celebration of the centennial of the 19th Amendment’s ratification, NPF announced 23 inaugural grants funded through its Women in Parks initiative, totaling more than $460,000 granted to parks across the country. Supporting projects like documenting the experiences of Mexican American and Filipina American women in California agriculture, designing a new exhibit honoring Coretta Scott King, and research exploring women’s political activity in a Michigan copper mining community, these Women in Parks grants help preserve and elevate women’s stories in parks and the contributions women have made and continue to make to our country.

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CLASS IS IN SESSION The Mellon Humanities Fellows, made possible through the support of NPF and a generous donation from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, expand the types of stories told and preserved in our national parks, specifically around the legacy of the civil rights movement, labor history, and the history of monuments and commemoration.

This year, the Fellows increased their virtual programming, more than doubling the number of people that participated in their workshops and partner activities.

PROTECTING PARK WILDLIFE NPF helps preserve the precious species and habitats of our national parks, including wolves, golden eagles, and cutthroat trout at Yellowstone National Park, Florida bonneted bats and American crocodiles at Everglades National Park, monarch butterflies at Grand Canyon National Park, salmon at Olympic National Park, and elk at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve.

At Glacier National Park, NPF funding is helping prepare for the potential return of bison to the park for the first time in 150 years.

This support allows the park, the Wildlife Conservation Society, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Blackfeet Tribe to evaluate the impact of the bison’s return on the park’s habitat, diverse species, and cultural resources.

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INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

A TRAIL NETWORK A DECADE IN THE MAKING Visitors can once again enjoy one of Zion National Park’s most iconic and accessible trails – Middle Emerald Pools Trail. Originally constructed in 1932, the trail has completed a tenyear restoration project thanks to the support of NPF, S.L. Gimbel Foundation, the Zion Forever Project, and a $1 million grant from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation. Storms in 2010 made the trail impassable, but through the efforts of an expert team of engineers, geologists, and masons, the Middle Emerald Pool Trail has been restored using historic architecture and design techniques to match its original construction.

A TRIUMPH FOR PUBLIC LANDS In a watershed moment in conservation history, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) was signed into law on August 4, 2020. Providing up to $6.5 billion in federal funding for deferred maintenance and related projects in national parks over five years, GAOA provides critical support for NPS, its partners, and other land management agencies to preserve America’s most treasured spaces. This victory positions NPF and other park champions to better leverage resources and support innovative projects that will meet future needs of parks. In addition, GAOA provides for permanent, mandatory funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This hallmark legislation will continue to conserve lands in national parks and provide recreational access in communities nationwide.

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DIVERTING WASTE & GROWING SUSTAINABILITY This year NPF continued its innovative partnership with Subaru of America to reduce waste in our national parks. As part of a pilot program, three parks – Denali National Park & Preserve, Grand Teton National Park, and Yosemite National Park – have diverted more than 16 million pounds of waste from landfills since 2015.

Last year alone, the three parks cut their landfill waste by nearly half through increased recycling, composting, outreach, and education.

INVESTING IN SERVICE CORPS Following in the footsteps of the Depressionera Civilian Conservation Corps, service corps programs have evolved to meet the changing needs of our national parks and our nation’s young people. This year, NPF supported LGBTQ+, American Sign Language, Latino/a/x, Native American, and women service corps crews as part of NPF’s ongoing commitment to advancing equity in the parks community. Conservation Legacy and NPF deployed three all-women crews to Manassas National Battlefield, Shenandoah National Park, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, and Blue Ridge Parkway, where they spent the summer addressing critical projects including invasive species removal, trail maintenance, bridge repair, and more.

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FINANCIAL SUMMARY The National Park Foundation’s work has been carefully guided by financial stewardship for more than 50 years, making NPF a strong, resilient organization, well-positioned to increase impact in parks through innovative programs and partnerships.

Thank you to NPF’s board of directors, past and present, as well as the many donors whose generosity helps advance NPF’s mission.

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NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE CENTENNIAL ACT On December 16, 2016, the National Park Service Centennial Act (P.L. 114-289) was signed into law. Among other provisions, the Act established the Second Century Endowment at the National Park Foundation and authorized annual appropriations of up to $5 million for the National Park Foundation to support critical national park projects and programs SECOND CENTURY ENDOWMENT STATEMENT

2021

2020

Endowment Balance, Beginning of Year

$31,503,368

$20,645,879

Amounts Recieved

$10,000,000

$10,000,000

Investment Earnings

$3,072,158

$857,489

Endowment Balance, End of Year*

$44,575,526

$31,503,368

ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS In Fiscal Year 2020, $5 million in federal matching funds were made available for the National Park Foundation to grant toward priority projects. The National Park Foundation raised philanthropic dollars to leverage with federal funds toward those same projects. The National Park Foundation is on track to leverage the full $5 million in federal funds with $5 million in philanthropic support, for a total impact of at least $10 million across the National Park System.

ATTAINMENT BY DONOR SOURCE FAMILY FOUNDATIONS (10%) FOUNDATIONS (8%) GOVERNMENT GRANTS (16%)

INDIVIDUALS (31%) CORPORATE (35%)

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FINANCIAL SUMMARY ANNUAL GROWTH IN CONTRIBUTIONS AND GIFTS IN MILLIONS 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

$89M 2018

$85M 2019

$77M 2020

$107M 2021

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES NPF secures funding for its mission largely through its own fundraising efforts. Funds are raised from individuals, corporate partners, and institutional entities. NPF’s ability to raise these funds is driven largely by its consistent, effective and timely delivery of programmatic impact with a margin of excellence.

Since its inception in 1967, NPF has raised more than $1.4 billion. Over the years, through strategic 22

investments, NPF has developed a strong corporate partnerships channel, strengthened its individual giving pipeline across all levels (direct mail through major giving) and bolstered its strategic partnerships with institutional foundations.

Overall, NPF has set a strong foundation for continued success in fundraising growth through a diversification of its revenue channels.

ASSETS

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS IN 2021

$17,068,209

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS IN 2020

$8,534,240 23

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021

KEY ELEMENTS OF THE APPROACH INCLUDE:

The National Park Foundation (“NPF” or the “Foundation”) generates private support and builds strategic partnerships to protect and enhance America’s national parks for present and future generations. NPF was congressionally chartered in 1967 as the national non-profit, non-governmental, philanthropic partner of the National Park Service (“NPS”). NPF is positioned to engage with individuals, institutions and corporate America in support of national parks in ways that NPS cannot due to federal regulations and enjoys a unique partnership with NPS that allows it to leverage and direct philanthropic support toward NPS’s nationwide priorities.

ALIGNING AREAS OF PROGRAMMATIC FOCUS WITH NPS’ PRIORITIES Helps to ensure that the projects NPF undertakes are a priority and can be completed.

At its core, the Foundation invests in seven strategic areas to drive positive impact. These areas are referred to as mission pillars and each pillar has a clear desired outcome, a set of impact goals, and an implementation plan: (i) Landscape and Wildlife Conservation, (ii) History & Culture, (iii) Resilience and Sustainability, (iv) Parks of the Future, (v) Youth Engagement and Education, (vi) Outdoor Exploration, and (vii) Communities and Workforce. In fiscal 2022, NPF raised approximately $128 million in contributions and other support to fund its mission. NPF’s work is implemented through strategic partnerships with NPS, park friend’s groups, corporate partners, and other park partners.

National Parks Foundation takes a strategic approach in advancing its mission.

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DEVELOPING DIVERSE AND ROBUST FUNDRAISING CHANNELS Helps to ensure NPF can deliver on its mission while yielding steady growth in contributions over time.

KEEPING PROGRAMMATIC SPENDING RATIOS HIGH OVER TIME Helps to ensure NPS successfully delivers financially on its mission.

CONTROLLING GENERAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND FUNDRAISING COSTS Ensures focus on primary goals.

STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN OPERATIONS Allows NPF to continue leveraging competitive advantages and increase its efficiency in delivering its mission.

MISSION ALIGNED INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS Ensures portfolios are optimized for sustainable asset growth over time.

MAINTAINING A STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION Ensures NPF takes actions needed to sustain delivery of mission over long term.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AREAS OF PROGRAMMATIC FOCUS

comprehensive and inclusive stories that amplify the full range of experience and voices that are woven into the fabric of the United States.

LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

NPF commits to conserving native wildlife and restoring critical habitats and ecosystems in the nation’s most treasured places for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of current and future generations. From majestic mountain ranges in Alaska to the vast sawgrass prairies of Florida’s Everglades, national parks have safeguarded the nation’s stunning landscapes, natural habitats, and native wildlife from modern development. Today, national parks protect and preserve 85 million acres of land including world heritage sites, iconic landmarks, and many endangered species.

In partnership with NPS and other partners, NPF is making national parks more resilient and sustainable by supporting innovative solutions to improve park infrastructure and to make it easier for park visitors to be good stewards of the places they love. NPF supports ongoing work across the entire National Park System through waste reduction efforts, water conservation projects, and investments in renewable and alternative energy projects. The preservation of parks is central to the National Park Service’s mission, and NPS’s Green Parks Plan acts as a road map of areas to focus on now and in the future to build resilient green infrastructure and educate park visitors on climate change and sustainability.

Many sites are increasingly subject to environmental and human impacts that threaten the health of wildlife. Rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, and ecosystem degradation are leading to paradigm shifts in society.

Conservation and preservation are at the core of the Foundation’s mission.

HISTORY AND CULTURE Nearly half of the nation’s national parks are primarily historic or cultural in their mission, but few Americans visit them or even know they exist.

As America’s storyteller, these national parks can engage all audiences and tell a broader and more inclusive story of American history. NPF helps to safeguard the historic sites and collections that hold American’s shared history, recognizing that national discourse is ever evolving to reflect on the past, engage the present, and imagine the future. With this work, NPF aims to share more 26

PARKS OF THE FUTURE Two hundred million more visitors are expected annually in national parks by 2040, a 60 percent increase from 2018 levels. National parks must be prepared to address the changing demographics and a diversity of needs for these new visitors.

From visitor congestion to the workforce of the future. From recreational access to campground and transportation experiences of the future.

From how audiences feel welcome to how new audiences can be developed and cultivated.

National parks must remain nimble and invest in strategies today that ensure world class visitor experiences tomorrow. Through transformational investments in both emerging technologies and proven solutions, NPF envisions a stronger and more resilient National Park System in 2040.

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION

COMMUNITIES AND WORKFORCE

The average child spends five to eight hours a day in front of a digital screen and only about 12 minutes of active time outdoors. National parks are America’s largest classroom, offering unparalleled educational resources as hands-on laboratories poised to inspire a new generation.

NPF supports Youth Education & Engagement programs that provide ways for kids to enjoy, understand, and connect with the nature, history, and culture of parks through a variety of classroom subjects at national parks across the country. Education programs tied to parks enhance classroom curriculum and have a transformative impact on students, increasing critical thinking skills, knowledge, self-confidence, and motivation to learn. Beyond time spent in the parks, classroom activities conducted before and after in-park or virtual field trips reinforce what students learn during their exploration.

National parks are the landscapes where American’s build community and cultivate stewardship. NPF supports an expansive network of local non-profit organizations, volunteer groups, and service corps dedicated to critical preservation and restoration projects across the country.

OUTDOOR EXPLORATION National parks hold the power to inspire a sense of wonder and a love of exploration. Exploration of parks’ wildlife, landscapes, history, and culture is an important and memorable element of national park experiences for all visitors. NPF supports ongoing opportunities to promote access for everyone to experience, enjoy, and cultivate life-long connections to the social, mental, and physical health benefits of the outdoors through magnificent national parks. By teaching valuable lifelong skills, collaborating with partner organizations to foster inclusion, and promoting the engagement of communities of color with outdoor recreation, NPF’s Outdoor Exploration programs create and deepen longstanding connections to national parks for all.

NPF’s Communities & Workforce programming aims to grow the capacity of partners, as well as inspire and diversify the next generation of outdoor leaders. Through efforts like service corps crews that preserve historical sites, restore trails, and remove invasive species in parks, NPF’s Communities & Workforce programs highlight the power of teamwork and collective dedication to preserve the nation’s most treasured places. Additionally, increased fundraising and management capacity of the park partner community strengthens collective support of critical preservation, restoration, and protection projects in parks across the country.

OVERALL IN FISCAL 2021, NPF PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY $89.4 MILLION IN GRANTS AND SUPPORT TO MANY OF THE MORE THAN 400 UNITS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THIS CONSTITUTED NEARLY 79% OF NPF’S TOTAL EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR.

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THANK YOU More than 400 national parks in the National Park System depend upon the commitment and generosity of private philanthropy to help keep them accessible, relevant, and beautiful. Generous gifts to the National Park Foundation help protect our national treasures, enhance the visitor experience, connect us with parks even when we can’t visit in person, and support innovative projects and programs that will take our national parks into the future. NPF gratefully acknowledges the individuals, corporations, and foundations whose contributions help make NPF’s work possible.

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