The Member Resource Center provides comprehensive resources, policy documents, agreement templates, and training materials for nonprofit organizational management, NPS partnerships, operations, and fundraising for park friends groups.

Nonprofit Basics

A strong nonprofit starts with a solid foundation.

Policies, Agreements & Templates

Working with the National Park Service may require both parties to sign agreements. These agreements protect both the National Park Service and the philanthropic partner.

The Friends Guide:

A Fieldbook for Starting, Growing, and Sustaining Philanthropic Partners of the National Park Service
A comprehensive resource for park leaders and community members on developing healthy, long-term partnerships with Friends Groups. The guide covers essential topics, including assessing park readiness, establishing clear roles and boundaries, navigating the structural and ethical differences between the NPS and a nonprofit, formalizing the relationship with agreements (like those under Director’s Order #21), and leading effective fundraising and communication efforts to ensure these partnerships endure through changes in leadership.

Join NPFA

To gain exclusive access to critical NPS partnership policy, operational tools and templates, and best practice case studies. The Membership Resource Center content includes:

• Examples of NPS policy documents and partnership agreements (DO21, DO7, DO32, DO-52D)
• Operational templates like Property Use and Project Proposals
• Funding strategy and grant opportunities
• Exclusive webinars, recorded workshops, presentation decks, and case studies on topics like Congressional Relations, Crisis Communications, and partnership best practices