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National Park Foundation (NPF)

CharityWatch rating issued
October 2026

C
CharityWatch Rating
This rating has been downgraded from C+ due to the charity having 3.3 years worth of available assets in reserve.
 
64%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$35
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Large Asset Reserves

CharityWatch reduces the grade of any charity that has available assets equal to three to five years of operating expenses. Charities with "years of available assets" of more than five years receive an "F" grade regardless of other measurements. In CharityWatch's view, a reserve of less than three years is reasonable and does not affect a charity's grade. These reductions in grades are based solely on the charities' asset reserves as compared to budget. The CharityWatch definition of "years of available assets" includes funds currently available for the charity's use, including investments that the charity has set aside as a reserve but could choose to spend if it wanted to do so. National Park Foundation (NPF)'s letter grade rating has been downgraded because it has 3 or more years of available assets.

See Our Process to learn more about how CharityWatch considers a charity’s asset reserves and the High Asset List for a list of charities whose ratings have been reduced due to high assets.

Contact Information

National Park Foundation (NPF)
1500 K Street, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005

Other Names

NPF

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

The official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, generates private support and builds strategic partnerships to protect & enhance America's national parks for present & future generations.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 09/30/2025

Program Percentage: 64%

The percentage of National Park Foundation (NPF)'s cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$134,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $35

How many dollars National Park Foundation (NPF) spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$91,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Joint Costs

National Park Foundation (NPF)'s rating was adjusted for Joint Costs. If you are a donor who considers direct mail, telemarketing, and other Joint Cost solicitations to be true charitable programs, the below efficiency ratios, which were not adjusted for joint costs, may better reflect your goals.

Program % Cost to Raise $100
69% $28
Accounting rules allow charities to report some telemarketing, direct mail, and other solicitation costs as Program expenses. CharityWatch believes that most donors do not consider a charity's solicitation activities to be the Programs they are intending to support with their donations. We therefore adjust such expenses out of a charity's reported Program expense and add it to Fundraising expense prior to calculating its rating.

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
National Park Foundation Audited Financial Statements 52-1086761
National Park Foundation IRS Form 990 52-1086761
Entity: National Park Foundation
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 52-1086761
Entity: National Park Foundation
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 52-1086761

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
National Park Foundation (NPF)
meets governance benchmarks.
 
National Park Foundation (NPF)
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 William Shafroth Past Chief Executive Officer $917,368
2 Ruth Prescott Chief of Staff $404,069
3 Dawn Rodney Chief External Affairs Officer $356,714
1
Name: William Shafroth
Title: Past Chief Executive Officer
Compensation: $917,368
2
Name: Ruth Prescott
Title: Chief of Staff
Compensation: $404,069
3
Name: Dawn Rodney
Title: Chief External Affairs Officer
Compensation: $356,714

There are currently no Analysts’ Notes


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