National Park Trust Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PRESERVE PARKS TODAY AND CREATE PARK STEWARDS FOR TOMORROW.
- Income
- $4.7 million
- Spending
- $3.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 11.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 74%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 1,000
- Highest pay
- $230,419, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $2.7 million spent. DURING THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, THE BUDDY BISON YOUTH PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA - 2 SCHOOLS, 200 STUDENTS ARIZONA - 6 SCHOOLS, 458 STUDENTS CALIFORNIA - 59 SCHOOLS, 4,019 STUDENTS COLORADO - 3 SCHOOLS, 173 STUDENTS CONNECTICUT - 3 SCHOOLS, 224 STUDENTS DELAWARE - 5 SCHOOLS, 359 STUDENTS FLORIDA - 4 SCHOOLS, 170 STUDENTS GEORGIA - 5 SCHOOLS, 491 STUDENTS HAWAI'I - 4 SCHOOLS, 135 STUDENTS IDAHO - 3 SCHOOLS, 186 STUDENTS ILLINOIS - 13 SCHOOLS, 995 STUDENTS INDIANA - 2 SCHOOLS, 84 STUDENTS IOWA - 1 SCHOOL, 75 STUDENTS KANSAS - 5 SCHOOLS, 261 STUDENTS KENTUCKY - 3 SCHOOLS, 201 STUDENTS LOUISIANA - 4 SCHOOLS, 293 STUDENTS MAINE - 2 SCHOOLS, 245 STUDENTS MARYLAND - 37 SCHOOLS, 3675 STUDENTS MASSACHUSETTS - 1 SCHOOL, 96 STUDENTS MICHIGAN - 4 SCHOOLS, 333 STUDENTS MINNESOTA - 2 SCHOOLS, 80 STUDENTS MISSISSIPPI - 1 SCHOOL, 50 STUDENTS MISSOURI - 5 SCHOOLS, 356 STUDENTS MONTANA - 6 SCHOOLS, 366 STUDENTS NEVADA - 6 SCHOOLS, 881 STUDENTS NEW JERSEY - 6 SCHOOLS, 364 STUDENTS NEW MEXICO - 6 SCHOOLS, 364 STUDENTS NEW YORK - 10 SCHOOLS, 1,257 STUDENTS NORTH CAROLINA - 5 SCHOOLS, 603 STUDENTS NORTH DAKOTA - 1 SCHOOL, 120 STUDENTS OKLAHOMA - 1 SCHOOL, 57 STUDENTS OREGON - 5 SCHOOLS, 250 STUDENTS PENNSYLVANIA - 9 SCHOOLS, 654 STUDENTS RHODE ISLAND - 1 SCHOOL, 29 STUDENTS SOUTH CAROLINA - 1 SCHOOL, 12 STUDENTS SOUTH DAKOTA - 1 SCHOOL, 30 STUDENTS TEXAS - 3 SCHOOLS, 153 STUDENTS VIRGINIA - 16 SCHOOLS, 1717 STUDENTS WASHINGTON - 3 SCHOOLS, 150 STUDENTS WASHINGTON, DC - 51 SCHOOLS, 3494 STUDENTS WISCONSIN - 7 SCHOOLS, 311 STUDENTS WYOMING - 1 SCHOOL, 11 STUDENTS AMERICAN SAMOA - 1 SCHOOL, 25 STUDENTS BELOW ARE SAMPLES OF BUDDY BISON SCHOOL EVENTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE PARK TRUST: ALASKA: ON 4/30-5/2/25, 55 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM WILLIAM TYSON ELEMENTARY (ANCHORAGE, AK) VISITED THE BEGICH BOGGS VISITOR CENTER IN THE KENAI MOUNTAINS TURNAGAIN ARM HERITAGE AREA (KMTA). OVER THREE DAYS AND TWO NIGHTS, EDUCATORS AT THE ALASKA OUTDOOR SCHOOL AND KTMA PARK RANGERS LED THEM TO LEARN ABOUT GLACIERS, THE LOCAL FLORA AND FAUNA, AND HOW ANIMALS AND PEOPLE INTERACT WITH AND ARE SUPPORTED BY THE LAND AROUND THEM. ARIZONA: ON 11/12/24 AND 11/14/24, 115 3RD-GRADERS FROM SADDLEBACK ELEMENTARY (MARICOPA, AZ) VISITED CASA GRANDE RUINS NATIONAL MONUMENT TO LEARN ABOUT THE RESILIENCE OF THE ANCESTRAL SONORAN DESERT PEOPLE. RANGERS INTRODUCED STUDENTS TO THE NATIVE DESERT PLANTS AND EXPLAINED HOW THE ANCESTRAL PEOPLE USED EACH PLANT IN THEIR DAILY LIVES. STUDENTS TOURED THE CASA GRANDE RUINS AND IMAGINED THE DIFFERENT USES OF THE GREAT HOUSE. THE RANGERS ALSO SHOWED STUDENTS HOW THE ANCESTRAL PEOPLE'S CHILDREN WOULD USE A 'MANO AND 'METATE' TO GRIND CORN FOR THEIR FOOD. STUDENTS TRIED USING THE TOOLS THEMSELVES AND QUICKLY LEARNED HOW LABORIOUS IT IS TO GRIND CORN BY HAND. THEY FINISHED THE DAY BY VISITING THE MUSEUM EXHIBITS TO VIEW THE ARTIFACTS FOUND BY ARCHEOLOGISTS AT THE SITE. CALIFORNIA: ON 2/13/25 AND 2/18/25, 60 5TH-GRADERS FROM PENNYCOOK ELEMENTARY (VALLEJO, CA) VISITED MUIR WOODS NATIONAL MONUMENT FOR THE RANGER-LED "INTO THE REDWOOD FOREST" PROGRAM. STUDENTS USED PLANT IDENTIFICATION CARDS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE COAST MIWOK RELATIONSHIP TO THE WOODS TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE HABITATS AND HISTORY OF THE FOREST. THE RANGERS HELPED STUDENTS EXPLORE ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING OLD-GROWTH REDWOOD FORESTS IN THE BAY AREA, FOCUSING ON THE QUESTION - "HOW CAN NATURE TEACH US ABOUT COMMUNITY?". COLORADO: ON 4/29/25, 43 1ST-3RD GRADERS FROM GILPIN COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (BLACK HAWK, CO) VISITED MAJESTIC VIEW NATURE CENTER FOR THEIR HABITAT HOMES AND MEET A MAMMAL PROGRAMS. STUDENTS LEARNED WHAT A HABITAT IS, THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HABITATS THAT ANIMALS LIVE IN, AND HOW THEY PROVIDE THOSE ANIMALS WITH WHAT THEY NEED TO SURVIVE. THEY THEN LEARNED ABOUT THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKE A MAMMAL A MAMMAL AND ALL ABOUT THEIR UNIQUE ADAPTATIONS. CONNECTICUT: ON 3/25/25 AND 3/26/25, 130 3RD-GRADERS FROM ELI WHITNEY ELEMENTARY (STRATFORD, CT) VISITED DINOSAUR STATE PARK (ROCKY HILL, CT) TO LEARN ABOUT FOSSILS, DINOSAURS, AND CONNECTICUT'S GEOLOGIC HISTORY. DELAWARE: ON 10/31/24, 50 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM LEASURE ELEMENTARY (NEWARK, DE) VISITED THE AQUATIC RESOURCES EDUCATION CENTER IN SMYRNA, DE. THERE, THEY LEARNED ABOUT THE VARIOUS FISH SPECIES THAT CALL THE WATERWAYS IN THEIR AREA HOME. STUDENTS ALSO TESTED WATER SAMPLES FOR PH AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN TO DETERMINE THE WATER QUALITY. FLORIDA: ON 4/11/25, 30 6TH-8TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM NEW RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL (FORT LAUDERDALE, FL) VISITED HUGH TAYLOR BIRCH STATE PARK. PARK RANGERS LED STUDENTS AROUND THE PARK. THEY LEARNED ABOUT DIFFERENT TYPES OF MANGROVES, THEIR ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE TO THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, AND THE TYPES OF WILDLIFE THAT DEPEND ON THEM. GEORGIA: ON 3/18/25, 65 3RD-GRADERS FROM M. AGNES JONES ELEMENTARY (ATLANTA, GA) VISITED KENNESAW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK FOR A LEAVE NO TRACE PROGRAM WITH PARK RANGERS AND VOLUNTEERS. STUDENTS ROTATED BETWEEN AN EDUCATIONAL HIKE AND A LESSON ABOUT THE 7 PRINCIPLES OF LEAVE NO TRACE. AFTER A PICNIC LUNCH, STUDENTS WERE EXCITED TO RECEIVE THEIR OWN BUDDY BISON PLUSHIE BACK AT SCHOOL. HAWAI'I: ON 4/10 & 4/11/25, 78 1ST-GRADE STUDENTS FROM MAKAWAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (MAKAWAO, HI) VISITED THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY. SANCTUARY STAFF LED STUDENTS IN HANDS-ON LESSONS ABOUT CORAL FORMATION, HUMPBACK WHALES, AND GREEN SEA TURTLES. IOWA: ON 1/31/25, 75 3RD-GRADE STUDENTS FROM CLIVE LEARNING ACADEMY (WINDSOR HEIGHTS, IA) VISITED JESTER PARK. THAT DAY, THEY WORKED IN THREE SMALL GROUPS AND ROTATED THROUGH THE DAY'S THREE ACTIVITIES: A HIKE/SNOWSHOE THROUGH THE WOODS, A LAKE'S ECOLOGY LESSON AND ANIMAL DISCUSSION, AND AN OWL PELLET DISSECTION AND A VISIT TO THE ROCK-CLIMBING WALL. IDAHO: ON MAY 12-15, 2025, 57 7TH-GRADE STUDENTS FROM ABERDEEN MIDDLE SCHOOL VISITED HARRIMAN STATE PARK AND YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN A PARK RANGER-LED PRO
- $266,673 spent. SINCE 1983, THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST HAS COMPLETED 87 LAND ACQUISITION, RESTORATION, AND MITIGATION PROJECTS TO PROTECT MORE THAN 26,000 ACRES IN 32 STATES, ONE U.S. TERRITORY, AND WASHINGTON, D.C. SEVENTY-THREE OF THESE PROJECTS HAVE BENEFITED 56 UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE. WHILE OUR EARLIER WORK INCLUDED PRESERVING VARIOUS FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL PUBLIC LANDS, OUR CURRENT WORK FOCUSES SOLELY ON NATIONAL PARK SITES. THE PARK TRUST SELECTS LAND PROJECTS IN RESPONSE TO DIRECT REQUESTS FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) FOR REAL ESTATE ASSISTANCE TO ACQUIRE PRIVATELY OWNED PARCELS FROM WILLING SELLERS. THE ACQUIRED LANDS ARE LOCATED WITHIN, OR IN CERTAIN CASES ADJACENT TO, NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARIES. ALL LANDS ACQUIRED ARE SOLD OR DONATED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE FOR PERMANENT PROTECTION. THE PARK TRUST OFTEN WORKS AS THE SOLE NON-PROFIT PARTNER WITH THE NPS ON A PARTICULAR PROJECT. WE ALSO WORK WITH OTHER PARTNERS TO COMPLETE PARK PRESERVATION PROJECTS, INCLUDING NATIONAL AND LOCAL LAND TRUSTS AND FRIEND GROUPS. CREATE PARK STEWARDS FOR TOMORROW: TO ENSURE THE PRESERVATION OF OUR PARKS, PUBLIC LANDS, AND WATERS IN PERPETUITY, THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST GETS KIDS AND FAMILIES TO PARKS TO CULTIVATE FUTURE PARK STEWARDS AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS. THE PARK TRUST HAS FOUR NATIONAL INITIATIVES TO ENGAGE YOUTH AND FAMILIES: 1) BUDDY BISON PROGRAMS, 2) NATIONAL KIDS TO PARKS DAY, 3) MILITARY FAMILY PROGRAM, AND 4) COLLEGE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM. THESE INITIATIVES PROVIDE PARK EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERSERVED YOUTH, TEACHERS, MILITARY FAMILIES, COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY COMMUNITIES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ALL PARK TRUST YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS AIM TO 1) USE PARKS AS OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS, 2) PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS THROUGH OUTDOOR RECREATION, AND 3) FOSTER PARK STEWARDSHIP THROUGH CAREER AWARENESS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. TO DATE, SINCE 2009, THE PARK TRUST'S YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS HAVE IMPACTED MORE THAN 3,227,000 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WHITE HOUSE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, U.S. FOREST SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, AND NUMEROUS EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION PARTNERS. SINCE THE PANDEMIC, WHEN PROGRAMS EVOLVED TO VIRTUAL/DIGITAL FORMATS, THE PARK TRUST HAS RESPONDED TO EDUCATORS' REQUESTS AND NOW EMPLOYS A HYBRID EDUCATIONAL APPROACH TO CONNECT KIDS TO PARKS. THIS BLENDS THE BEST LOCAL PARK TRIPS AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMS WITH RANGERS TO CONNECT CHILDREN WITH PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY. IN THE COMING YEARS, THE PARK TRUST WILL WORK TO EXPAND AND FURTHER INTEGRATE ITS LAND CONSERVATION AND YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, CREATING MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES IN NATURE THAT ENABLE CHILDREN TO DEVELOP IMPORTANT ACADEMIC AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, AS WELL AS EXPLORE NEW OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. THESE PROGRAMS ALSO TEACH CRITICAL LESSONS IN CONSERVATION, HISTORY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, EMPHASIZING THE ROLE OF INDIVIDUALS IN PROTECTING OUR NATION'S PARKLANDS. WITH A POTENTIAL FEDERAL WORKFORCE RETIREMENT RATE OF 40% OVER THE NEXT DECADE, THE PARK TRUST HAS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES IN NATURE AND EXPOSE THEM TO GREEN CAREER PATHWAYS, INCLUDING THOSE IN TECHNICIAN, SCIENTIST, ENGINEER, LAND MANAGER, AND EDUCATOR ROLES, AMONG OTHERS. ANOTHER WAY THE PARK TRUST WORKS TOWARDS CREATING PARK STEWARDS OF TOMORROW IS THROUGH GRANT MANAGEMENT SERVICES. NATIONAL PARK TRUST PROVIDES TURNKEY SERVICES THAT ENABLE BRANDS TO REALIZE THE BENEFITS OF A ROBUST GIVING PROGRAM-MINIMIZING ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES WHILE MAXIMIZING PROGRAM EFFICIENCY. GRANT MANAGEMENT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE PARK TRUST IN ACHIEVING ITS MISSION. THE PARK TRUST CURRENTLY MANAGES FIVE GRANT-MAKING PROGRAMS AND, TO DATE, HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $3.4 MILLION TO SCHOOLS AND NONPROFITS THAT CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE OUTDOORS. YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS FROM EXPLORING THE CHANNEL ISLANDS TO CANOEING ALONG THE ANACOSTIA RIVER, THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST IS MAKING CONSERVATION RELEVANT TO THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FROM INNER-CITY AND RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION. OUR PROGRAMS CENTER AROUND OUR LOVABLE PINT-SIZED WOOLLY MASCOT, BUDDY BISON, WHO REMINDS KIDS TO "EXPLORE OUTDOORS; THE PARKS ARE YOURS!" BUDDY BISON IS NOT ONLY A TANGIBLE REMINDER THAT KIDS NEED TO GET OUT AND GO, BUT HE ALSO CONNECTS KIDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH EACH OTHER. FAMILIES AND TEACHERS ALIKE WANT TO KNOW, "WHERE'S BUDDY BISON BEEN?". THE PARK TRUST PROVIDED EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION FOR 31,764 STUDENTS IN 315 SCHOOLS THROUGH OUR VARIOUS BUDDY BISON YOUTH PROGRAMS. OUR GOAL FOR ALL OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS IS TO INSPIRE A GENERATION OF FUTURE CONSERVATION LEADERS AND PARK ENTHUSIASTS. 1. BUDDY BISON SCHOOL PROGRAM FULLY INTEGRATES LEARNING OBJECTIVES FROM THE SCHOOL'S CURRICULUM WITH PARK PROGRAMS AND SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. WORKING DIRECTLY WITH TEACHER FEEDBACK, THE PARK TRUST CUSTOMIZED OVER 304 EXPERIENCES FOR PARKS, SERVING 17,256 STUDENTS. 2. 2025 KIDS TO PARKS DAY SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM AWARDED 170 GRANTS TO 126 TITLE-I SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT OVER 8,600 STUDENTS FROM PRE-K THROUGH 12TH GRADE. 3. PARK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS THIS MODEL OF ENGAGEMENT FOCUSES EFFORTS ON A PARTICULAR PARK, REACHING OUT TO AS MANY LOCAL SCHOOLS AS POSSIBLE TO BRING STUDENTS TO A PARK FOR AN IMMERSIVE DAY OF OUTDOOR LEARNING OR A VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE. DURING THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, THE NATIONAL PARK TRUST BROUGHT 5,902 STUDENTS TO THE FOLLOWING NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AREAS: TALLGRASS PRAIRIE NATIONAL PRESERVE (KS), CHANNEL ISLAND NATIONAL PARK (CA), NATIONAL MALL AND MEMORIAL PARKS (DC), KENILWORTH PARK & AQUATIC GARDENS (DC), GREAT FALLS PARK (VA), PISCATAWAY PARK (MD), OXON HILL FARM (MD), ANACOSTIA PARK (DC), AND MANASSAS NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK (VA).
- $26,282 spent. GRANT MANAGEMENT - NATIONAL PARK TRUST, THROUGH ITS GRANT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, DESIGNS, IMPLEMENTS, AND EVALUATES ORIGINAL AND PARTNER PUBLIC-FACING GIVING PROGRAMS THAT FULLY ALIGN WITH PARK TRUST AND PARTNER BUSINESS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. THROUGH TURN-KEY SERVICES THAT ENABLE BRANDS TO REALIZE THE BENEFITS OF A ROBUST GIVING PROGRAM, NATIONAL PARK TRUST HELPS PARTNERS MINIMIZE ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES WHILE MAXIMIZING PROGRAM EFFICIENCY. THE PARK TRUST CURRENTLY MANAGES FIVE GRANT-MAKING PROGRAMS AND, TO DATE, HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $3.4 MILLION TO SCHOOLS AND NONPROFITS THAT CONNECT PEOPLE WITH OUTDOORS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.