Upcoming Events
Bi-Weekly Friends Leadership Calls
Dates: Bi-Weekly on Fridays
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
Location: Virtual
Bi-Weekly gatherings for nonprofit partner leaders. Members-only. To receive meeting invitations, contact [email protected]
2026 Spring Meeting
Save the DateDate: March 12, 2026
Registration Coming Soon!
Location: Virtual
Join us for a half-day of virtual sessions, keynotes, and opportunities to network with fellow members of the Friends Community! Details and registration coming soon.
Fall 2026 In-Person Meeting
Save the dates: September 22-24, 2026
Location: Rocky Mountain National Park
Join us at Rocky Mountain National Park. Details coming soon!
The Best Things Happen Together
The Friends Alliance offers a series of in-person and virtual gatherings throughout the year designed to benefit Friends Groups and their national park partners.
“I find real value in our annual gatherings. They are an important opportunity for us to be in community with our park partners in a very meaningful way. We get to learn from each other, hear directly from NPS leadership, and brainstorm ideas on how we can grow the already vibrant partnerships. I’m proud to be a part of this community, and am enriched by the time we spend together!”
DOUG MITCHELL
Glacier Conservancy
Past Meeting Recap
Spring Virtual Meeting
March 13, 2025
Nearly 200 leaders and practitioners from across the National Park Friends community met virtually and heard updates from leadership of NPS, NPF, & the Friends Alliance; learned about new fundraising strategies, expanding board through open board search, and opportunities and limits of using AI; and listened to an inspiring keynote address by entrepreneur, Jeff Hoffman.
Hill Day National Capital Parks East
April 29, 2025
In conjunction with National Park Foundation Hill Day, Friends Alliance executive members visited Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and Anacostia Park in Washington, DC for tours and a networking lunch.
2025 Fall Meeting
September 15-17, 2025
St. Louis, MO
Thank you to everyone who joined us in St. Louis for the 2025 Friends Alliance Fall Meeting! Over three inspiring days, 300+ partners from across the country gathered at Gateway Arch National Park to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the power of partnerships in support of our national parks. Attendees explored St. Louis through field trips showcasing community-driven conservation, public-private collaboration, and inclusive storytelling, followed by a stunning welcome reception at the Arch. Tuesday featured energizing Learning Circles, a keynote from NPF CEO Jeff Reinbold, and sessions on capital campaigns, tourism, and AI, ending with a fun night at Busch Stadium where Board Chair Ryan McClure threw the first pitch. The final day focused on equity and engagement in parks, with a powerful plenary and breakout sessions offering practical tools and insights. Huge thanks to Gateway Arch National Park, Gateway Arch Park Foundation, and all our partners – and to each attendee for bringing your passion and commitment. We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Fall Meeting, hosted by Rocky Mountain Conservancy, September 22–24!
For Members:
Past Meeting Resources
Log in to view the resources for each past meeting in our member portal.
Join Today!
Join the community and be part of a network focused on philanthropy in national parks. Membership in the Friends Alliance gives you access to professional networking opportunities, discounts on the annual meetings, and resources to support your park partnership.