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. To operate effectively and responsibly, every Friends group needs a few core elements in place: a clear mission, a governing board with defined roles and responsibilities, foundational legal documents (such as articles of incorporation and bylaws), appropriate state and federal registrations, sound financial management practices, and policies that promote transparency and accountability. These basic building blocks not only ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations but also create the structure needed to build trust, raise funds, and support your park for the long term.

Nonprofit Management

• • Free, online training on all things nonprofit: nonprofitready.org
  • National Council of Nonprofits
    • Resources include:
      • Nonprofit bylaws templates
      • Financial management guides
      • Strategic planning resources
      • Risk management guidance
  • Incorporating and Establishing Nonprofit Status (Council of Nonprofits)
  • 990s (YouTube), audits (Council of Nonprofits), annual reports (Council of Nonprofits), state-specific requirements (Council of Nonprofits)
  • Join NPFA to access additional templates and example documents from Friends Groups

Board Governance

• • BoardSource
    • Key resources:
      • Board recruitment templates
      • Board self-assessment tools
      • Governance policies
      • Board orientation guides

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. Updates to standard agreements happen from time to time, so we have included guidance for the origination of an agreement and links:

• NPS Acronym Decoder (Doc) – A quick-reference guide to common NPS terminology.
• Directors Order 21 (Guidance and Agreements)
  The official policy document issued by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) that establishes the framework for managing philanthropic partnerships, including the acceptance of donations, fundraising activities, sponsorships, and donor recognition. Agreements required under DO21 include:
  • Philanthropic Partnership Agreement
  • Partner Design & Construction Agreement
  • Philanthropic Support Agreement
  • Annual Work Plans
  • Aid-to-NPS Work Plan
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Intellectual Property
  • Brand Management and Logo Licensing

• Director’s Order 7 (Guidance, Agreements)
  Directors Order 7 Governs the Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) program within the National Park Service (NPS).  It outlines the policies and procedures for engaging volunteers in NPS activities, including recruitment, placement, training, and management. It also defines the roles and responsibilities of partner organizations. Agreements required under DO7 include:
  • Individuals: A completed OF301a, a service description, and a job hazard analysis
  • Groups: A completed OF301a (leader), OF301b (group members), a service description, and a risk analysis
• Director’s Order 32 (Guidance, Agreements)
  Director’s Order #32: Cooperating Associations provides guidance to National Park Service managers and staff who work in partnership with Cooperating Associations and helps define the roles of the two organizations in order to strengthen mission alignment and clarify the responsibilities of each organization. Some philanthropic partners take on the work of a cooperating association. This is why we include these agreements here. Agreements required under DO32 include:
  • Cooperating Association Agreement
  • General Agreement for Interpretation and Education
  • Scope of Sales Agreement

• DO-52D (NPS) – Branding and co-branding rules, including logo use and required acknowledgments.

Coming Soon! 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 in-depth resources, 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