California State Parks Foundation
California State Parks Foundation is a San Francisco-based public charity, founded in 1969, that works to protect and preserve California’s state park system. Its support includes grantmaking to park partners, park access and improvement projects, stewardship, and park funding advocacy.
California State Parks Foundation at a glance
In short: California State Parks Foundation gave $769K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $55K), mostly in California. 14% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $768,647
- -23.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- +7.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $54,903
- -28.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $16,560
- Total assets
- $21,415,583
- +7.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (2 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to California State Parks Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation lists current Park Partner Projects grantmaking opportunities, but the available description does not specify application materials or a process.
- Contact
Mailing address: 235 Montgomery Street 1202, San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 262-4400
Website: https://calparks.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from California State Parks Foundation
Who California State Parks Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was California Department of Parks and Recreation ($483K). Together the top 10 received $741K.
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 90 grants of 100 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its grantmaking as statewide in California. In filing year 2025, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is California State Parks Foundation open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 14 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $61K. How we count
Medians: $17K first-time, $17K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $408K (2020) to $2.7M (2021). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $769K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California Department of Parks and Recreation Sacramento, CA | Fy25 and fy26 annual endowment disbursement request, grant to repair and update interpretive items; non-cash - support of col. Allensworth 5k walk run for health, earth day 2025 grant, California state parks week 2025 grant, easy grade trail project grant, disbursement of donation for sutter buttes state park. Trails maintenance grant, annual disbursement from fiscal sponsorship; tribal event support, disbursement of bequest received for ano nuevo state park, facilitation of department of park and recreation interpretive division strategic planning process, fiscal sponsorship direct payments to dj catering for jr. Lifeguard graduation reception, fiscal sponsorship, direct payments for cuyamaca rancho state park related to reforestation efforts | $483,042 |
| Committee for Clean Water Natural Resources and Parks Sacramento, CA | Bond Campaign | $75,000 |
| California Coastal Commission San Francisco, CA | Fiscal sponsorship disbursements for adopt a beach and coastal clean-up day | $48,748 |
| Malibu Creek Docents Calabasas, CA | 2025 climate grant - building a climate resilient garden at malibu creek state park | $26,600 |
| Central Coast State Parks Association San Luis Obispo, CA | 2024 Monarch Grant | $25,000 |
| Ranger Foundation Gold River, CA | Climate crisis relief fund grant to support state parks after the palisades fire | $19,000 |
| Los Angeles River State Park Partners Los Angeles, CA | California state parks week 2025 grant; 2025 partnership equity grant | $18,000 |
| Point Lobos Foundation Carmel, CA | Disbursement of bequest received for point lobos. Grant used for conservation and protection at point lobos state natural reserve | $15,120 |
| The San Luis Rey Mission Indian Foundation Vista, CA | 2025 Partnership Equity Grant | $15,000 |
| South Yuba River Citizen League Nevada City, CA | 2025 Partnership Equity Grant | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $21,415,583 | $10,597,299 | $8,530,273 | $768,647 | 14 | $572,131 |
| 2024 | $19,892,583 | $9,459,498 | $8,174,650 | $1,003,669 | 13 | $761,863 |
| 2023 | $18,292,469 | $9,088,220 | $9,167,389 | $1,523,786 | 19 | $478,502 |
| 2022 | $16,260,940 | $10,418,326 | $7,927,697 | $581,732 | 29 | $377,047 |
| 2021 | $15,437,554 | $10,182,673 | $8,941,654 | $2,687,459 | 25 | $460,118 |
| 2020 | $15,740,761 | $7,302,230 | $8,069,864 | $407,649 | 8 | $511,856 |
| 2019 | $17,545,925 | $8,054,735 | $9,636,742 | $1,960,638 | 35 | $526,253 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to protect and preserve the California state park system for the benefit of all. Its stated focus areas include expanding access to parks, improving equity in park access and experiences, maintaining park excellence, and supporting park projects and improvements.
Its website describes Community Partnerships grants as supporting projects led by or co-created with historically excluded communities. The Foundation’s 2024 filing also describes grants for park improvements, trails, park participation in California State Parks Week, maintenance, wildfire resilience, habitat and monarch conservation, and docent programs. Its Park Stewardship Program organizes volunteer workdays, including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and planting.
The Foundation supports a range of park-related organizations. For example, Central Coast State Parks Association says its mission is to raise funds for education and interpretive programs for local state parks. Point Lobos Foundation describes its mission as protecting and nurturing Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, educating visitors, and strengthening the network of Carmel-area state parks. Crystal Cove Conservancy says it supports educational and interpretive activities, scientific studies, and restoration of historic district buildings at Crystal Cove State Park.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 14 grants totaling $768,647. Grants ranged from $5,708 to $483,042, with a median of $16,560. The largest reported grant was $483,042 to the California Department of Parks and Recreation for a range of activities, including park grants, maintenance, interpretive projects, fiscal sponsorship disbursements, and endowment distributions.
Other notable 2025 grants included $75,000 to the Committee for Clean Water Natural Resources and Parks for a bond campaign; $48,748 to the California Coastal Commission for Adopt a Beach and coastal cleanup fiscal sponsorship disbursements; $26,600 to Malibu Creek Docents for a climate-resilient garden at Malibu Creek State Park; and $25,000 to Central Coast State Parks Association for a monarch grant. The Foundation also awarded $19,000 to Ranger Foundation for a climate crisis relief grant supporting state parks after the Palisades Fire, and $18,000 to Los Angeles River State Park Partners for California State Parks Week and Partnership Equity grants.
The Foundation’s website describes Park Partner Projects as a grantmaking opportunity supporting organizations that expand access, improve equity, and maintain park excellence. A separate Park Improvement grant round for 2022–2023 offered awards of up to $10,000 for projects benefiting California state parks; that round is past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Diane Ross-Leech as chair, Ryan T’Kindt as vice chair, Leslie Leonard as treasurer, and Michon Coleman as secretary. Trustees listed include Rachel Alvarez, Leo Chyi, Ben Cipollini, and Meaghan Gorman. The filing also lists Doug Beebe and Jason Glickman as trustees through dates in October 2024.
California State Parks Foundation is led by Rachel Norton, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 7 of 31 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rachel Norton
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
37.5 hrs/week
$163K (2019) → $186K (2025)
Diane Ross-Leech
Chair
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Randolph Widera
Director of Programs
Director of Philanthropy → Director of Programs, 2024
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$138K (2022) → $153K (2025)
Ashley Moore
Director of Marketing & Communications
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$151K (2024) → $156K (2025)
Cassandra Stockton
Director of Finance & Operations
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$128K (2024) → $135K (2025)
Samantha Joseph
Director of Development
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$118K (2024) → $130K (2025)
Dan Skopec
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Beebe
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Lau
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben Cipollini
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darry Sragow
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Hart
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mukund Srirangapatnam
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cindy Yang
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Glickman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Alvarez
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rao Rapeta
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christiane Light
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Rappoport
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Meaghan Gorman
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nate Taylor
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Luning
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tanya Tan
Trustee
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elisa Mendal
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leo Chyi
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shiva Iyer
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Doyle
Program Manager
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$102K (2024) → $106K (2025)
Jessica Ro
Major Gifts Officer
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$107K (2024) → $111K (2025)
Michon Coleman
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan T'kindt
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leslie Leonard
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (45)
- Former: Angel Barajas (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Birt Johnson Jr. (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Emily Young (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Virginia Chang Kiraly (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: William Doolittle (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Keith Pettus (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Bob Walter (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Gina Orozco (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Josh Wood (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Sydney McGowan (2024) — Associate Director of Digital
- Former: Andrew Liang (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Ashley Tittle (2019–2023) — Director of Marketing & Communications
- Former: Christi Light (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Cynthia McClain-Hill (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Don Robinson (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Gina Orozco-Mejia (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Joshua Wood (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Antonio Maneschi (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Betsy Lake (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Bill Doolittle (2022–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Bob Patterson (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Cassandra Liu (2022–2023) — Director of Finance
- Former: Roz Neiman (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Sydney Little (2023) — Associate Director of Digital
- Former: Kurt Hagen (2020–2022) — Former Director of Finance
- Former: Catherine Fisher (2019–2021) — Chairperson
- Former: David Mandelkern (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Elizabeth Lake (2019–2021) — Co-Secretary
- Former: Holly Martinez (2019–2021) — Director Advocacy & Prgms
- Former: John O'Connor (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Manuel G. Grace (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Marie Downey (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Alvarez (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Pinto (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Patricia Perez (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Peter Weiner (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Patterson (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Walter (2019–2021) — Vice Chairperson
- Former: Roz Nieman (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Steve Johnson (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: William Fain (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Randy Widera (2021) — Director of Philanthropy
- Former: David Smith (2019–2020) — Director of Information Technology
- Former: Aaron Rashba (2019) — Director of Advancement
- Former: Hilda Hollis (2019) — Director of Finance & Administrator
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $186K, to Rachel Norton (Executive Director). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about California State Parks Foundation
How much does California State Parks Foundation give each year?
California State Parks Foundation gave $769K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.0M across 13 grants.
What is California State Parks Foundation's typical grant size?
California State Parks Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $16,560, and its average grant was $54,903, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from California State Parks Foundation that year got $17K on average.
Where does California State Parks Foundation give grants?
California State Parks Foundation gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sacramento, CA (2 grants).
Does California State Parks Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on California State Parks Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are California State Parks Foundation's largest grantees?
California State Parks Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include California Department of Parks and Recreation ($483,042), Committee for Clean Water Natural Resources and Parks ($75,000) and California Coastal Commission ($48,748), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 79% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is California State Parks Foundation?
California State Parks Foundation reported $21.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $10.6M.
What does California State Parks Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to protect and preserve the California state park system for the benefit of all. Its stated focus areas include expanding access to parks, improving equity in park access and experiences, maintaining park excellence, and supporting park projects and improvements. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from California State Parks Foundation?
The Foundation lists current Park Partner Projects grantmaking opportunities, but the available description does not specify application materials or a process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is California State Parks Foundation's EIN?
California State Parks Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-1707583. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 2, 2024)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 18, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work California State Parks Foundation funds
Recreation & Sports Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in California State Parks Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). California State Parks Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/california-state-parks-foundation-morg_d831d2f6c0bd46ddb0174f545cddd299
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_941707583_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{California State Parks Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/california-state-parks-foundation-morg_d831d2f6c0bd46ddb0174f545cddd299},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from California State Parks Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
California State Parks Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?