Grand Teton National Park Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Grand Teton National Park Foundation (the Foundation) is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to partner with Grand Teton National Park to steward, protect, and enhance all that is special in the park. Budget limitations, combined with increasing visitation, led the National Park Service to create partnerships with organizations like the Foundation to raise private money for special park needs. The Foundation initiates improvements, critical research, and projects that improve visitors experiences, creating a solid future for Grand Teton. Since 1997, the organization has raised funds for efforts that connect youth to nature, preserve cultural resources, protect wildlife and natural resources, and enhance visitor experiences. In addition, the Foundation has completed capital projects such as construction of the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, the conservation of 1,280 acres of critical wildlife habitat that was formerly owned by the state of Wyoming, the renewal
- Income
- $24.5 million
- Spending
- $50.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 53
- Highest pay
- $692,855, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 104% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 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 September 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 (8)
- $38.5 million spent. State Lands/Kelly Parcel:In 2025, the Foundation supported the park in its decades-long effort to purchase the 640-acre Kelly parcel from the state of Wyoming. The Kelly parcel was the largest tract of unprotected land remaining within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park. The elevated square-mile provides sweeping views of the Teton Range and includes critical habitat for numerous species of wildlife. The parcel is also located within a key migration corridor for pronghorn, elk, and mule deer. If the Kelly parcel was not permanently conserved as part of Grand Teton National Park, this inholding could have been developed, risking the loss of vital habitat in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystemone of the last remaining, nearly intact temperate ecosystems on the planet. The permanent conservation of the Kelly parcel was a major conservation achievement for Grand Teton National Park and the Foundation in 2025.
- $6.0 million spent. WINTER AND SUMMER TRAILS:The Foundation funds grooming three times per week of the 14-mile stretch of road between Taggart Lake Trailhead and Signal Mountain on the Teton Park Road. Regular grooming allows visitors to easily explore on Nordic skis, snowshoes, or foot to experience this special season in Grand Teton National Park. In the summer months, the Foundation is funding a multi-year effort to renew key destinations along the Teton Crest Traila 45-mile route through the parks high country that was originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Summer 2025 marked the sixth year of project work on the Crest Trail. Improvements were completed near Marion Lake and Fox Creek Pass, making it more safe for hikers to this remote alpine area.
- $1.2 million spent. MORMON ROW PRESERVATION: In partnership with Grand Teton, the Foundation has undertaken a multi-year project to renew the Mormon Row Historic Districtthe parks most popular cultural destinationwith the goals of preserving remaining structures and providing visitors with meaningful opportunities to connect with park history. This effort is, for the first time, holistically addressing preservation needs in the district and improving the ways visitors learn about and experience the remarkable legacy of these buildingsbringing the history of this place to life. Work continued in 2025 and focused on the Roy Chambers Homestead, which will be adaptively reused for employee housing. New siding and interior work was completed, and the structures will be available for seasonal workforce housing next summer. In 2026, the park will begin on-the-ground visitor experience improvements including modern interpretation, renewed wayfinding, and additional parking.
- $639,899 spent. WILDLIFE AND NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION: Environmental shifts, invasive species, land use and development patterns, and changing visitation all threaten to disrupt the sensitive ecological relationships that characterize Grand Teton today. Projects supported by the Foundations wildlife and natural resources initiative make significant strides toward ensuring the long-term ecological integrity of Grand Teton National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In 2025, the Foundation funded efforts focused on gray wolf ecology, ungulate monitoring, climate change impacts, sagebrush/grassland habitat restoration, bear-resistant food storage lockers, and more.
- $467,768 spent. YOUTH ENGAGEMENTA priority for Grand Teton National Park is to engage future park stewards by providing an introduction to the outdoors, conservation, and careers through in-depth programs. Three impactful efforts funded through the Foundations youth initiative introduce Grand Teton to a younger audience and offer educational and employment opportunities that keep participants actively involved in the outdoors as they begin to make career decisions:Youth Conservation Program employs 16 to 19-year-olds on Grand Tetons trail crew, accomplishing much-needed work while participants learn about park resources and develop conservation ethics. Tribal Youth Engagement provides hands-on opportunities for regional Native American youth to connect with nature and cultural history through week and month-long programs in Grand Teton.National Service Learning Corps offers ongoing career development and mentoring to young professionals who lead outdoor youth programming in their home cities.
- $301,121 spent. Reimagining Taggart LakeThe Foundation and Grand Teton National Park are working together to reimagine one of the parks cherished destinationsTaggart Lake. As the parks most frequently visited year-round trailhead, Taggart welcomes more than 300,000 people annually. Its popularity speaks to the magic of the place, but it also underscores the need for thoughtful renewal. Today, aging facilities, strained trails, and crowding place pressure on both visitors and the landscape. The Reimagining Taggart Lake project is reshaping this beloved destination so it remains welcoming, accessible, and ecologically resilient for generations. The projects guiding goals are:Create a smoother, safer, and more intuitive arrival.Protect riparian and lakeshore resources.Improve accessibility so people of all abilities can experience this landscape.Build a trail system that eases congestion and encourages sustainable use year-round.Restore degraded areas and safeguard the natural beauty that draws visitors here in the first place.2025 marked a year of meaningful progress. This year, early design concepts evolved into detailed construction documents while initial on-the-ground work began with the completion of the new bridge across Taggart Creek and the burial of overhead power lines near the trailhead. Work will continue next year with continued backcountry trail improvements and the start of trailhead renewal.
- $288,706 spent. SNAKE RIVER GATEWAYS:Grand Teton National Park Foundation, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, completed work at the third and final site to be improved as part of our multi-year campaign to address inadequate facilities and resource degradation at three popular access points on the Snake River. The Snake River Gateways campaign is enhancing visitors' experiences at Jackson Lake Dam, Pacific Creek, and Moose Landing. Project work continued at Moose Landing in April 2025. The goal at each site is to blend access, education, safety, and sustainability to create a sense of arrival that encourages visitors to engage with the river as a spectacular and essential natural resource. Priorities support significant improvements adapted to the needs of visitors, river conditions, and surrounding terrain that include: functional improvements to support visitors and recreationists of all abilities; restoration and resilience of shoreline habitats; and educational elements to inspire mindful discovery and stewardship.
- $100,911 spent. Ranger Support:The high peaks, mountain canyons, and glacial lakes of Grand Teton National Park draw recreationists from around the world who are eager to explore this iconic landscape. The Jenny Lake Rangers are the parks team of search and rescue professionals who provide a wide range of assistance to visitors in need. From injured climbers on the Grand Teton to hikers with sprained ankles only a few miles from the trailhead, the Jenny Lake Rangers are always ready to respond. Grand Teton National Park Foundation has provided private philanthropic support for this team since 2018. The main focus areas to advance ranger excellence in Grand Teton are to:Provide the highest quality training on a regular and recurring basis with an emphasis on search and rescueEnhance the park's ability to procure and replace specialized equipment, including personal protective equipment, and technology as it becomes availableProvide public outreach and education through programs and communication mediums to promote safety and prevent accidentsImprove facilities that support ranger operations and provide mental health support to all of Grand Tetons first responders
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 December 1998.
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.