National Park Friends Alliance

The National Park Friends Alliance is a nonprofit organization in the United States that serves as a network for leaders in philanthropic organizations supporting the National Park System. The organization's mission is to enhance support for national park sites by fostering collaboration, creativity, and partnership among the National Park Service and its official nonprofits.

History

Established as an informal network in 1998, the Friends Alliance was formally incorporated as an independent nonprofit in 2023. This transition marked a significant development, as it allowed the organization to engage professional staff and resources to better meet the evolving needs of its network.

Leadership

As of 2025, Katie Nyberg serves as the organization's first full-time Executive Director. Nyberg brings extensive experience in leading nonprofit park partners, having served as Executive Director of the Mississippi Park Connection and the Great River Passage Conservancy in Minnesota. She replaces Vicki Mates, who led the organization part-time for two years.

The organization's Board of Directors consists of prominent leaders from various national park friend communities, ensuring that the needs of members are represented effectively.

Activities and Impact

The National Park Friends Alliance offers several key activities and benefits to its members, including:

• Networking and Professional Development: Providing opportunities for leaders to connect and enhance their skills.
• Policy and Initiative Support: Collaborating with the National Park Service to support national initiatives and policies that amplify the impact of park partners.
• Member Community: Offering an exclusive space for members to collaborate and share creative strategies in support of their partnerships.

In 2023, nonprofit partners provided over $500 million in estimated support to the National Park Service, with volunteers contributing over 980,000 hours. Additionally, partners generated more than $1 billion in park-related revenue that year.

Priorities and Challenges

Many of the Friends Alliance's partner organizations prioritize improving visitor access, restoring structures, and creating a modern 21st-century visitor experience. However, common challenges include a lack of internal capacity and the need for greater fundraising support.

Strategic Initiatives

The organization is focused on expanding public-private partnerships, improving diversity, equity, and inclusion within park partnerships, and supporting innovation in park management and visitor experiences. The Friends Alliance also explores establishing collaborative think tanks to address future challenges facing national parks.