Friends of State Parks Inc
Friends of State Parks is a citizen's group dedicated to the understanding, enjoyment and protection of North Carolina's state parks. Friends of State Parks supports the mission of the nc parks and recreation division: to protect and manage the unique biological, geological, archaeological, recreational and scenic resources of the state. Friends of State Parks promotes public awareness of the immense contributions of these natural areas to the quality of life for north carolinians of present and future generations.
Friends of State Parks Inc at a glance
In short: Friends of State Parks Inc gave $75K across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $74,577
- +534.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- Average grant
- $10,654
- Median grant
- $7,029
- Total assets
- $1,006,234
- +3.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (58% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Friends of State Parks Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was 5000 or Less - Yipee Grants ($31K). Together the top 7 received $75K.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 8 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $9K (2023) to $75K (2025). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $75K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 5000 or Less - Yipee Grants | Education | $31,232 |
| Jockey's Ridge State Park Raleigh, NC | — | $10,000 |
| NC High Peaks Trail Assoc Burnsville, NC | Trail Rehabilitation | $10,000 |
| Pisgah View State Park Raleigh, NC | Trail Rehabilitation | $7,029 |
| Hammocks Beach State Park Eraleigh, NC | Military App Day | $5,600 |
| Elk Knob State Park Raleigh, NC | — | $5,456 |
| Yellow Mountain State Park Raleigh, NC | Program Support | $5,260 |
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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 | $1,006,234 | $447,555 | $449,719 | $74,577 | 7 | $24,949 |
| 2024 | $975,300 | $376,211 | $403,638 | $11,753 | Total only | $23,042 |
| 2023 | $993,661 | $374,505 | $178,342 | $8,500 | 1 | $29,490 |
| 2022 | $796,359 | $318,450 | $268,603 | $15,670 | Total only | $-702 |
| 2021 | $830,979 | $360,432 | $187,203 | — | — | $7,916 |
| 2020 | $716,765 | $222,721 | $220,531 | — | — | $7,574 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Friends of State Parks Inc
Based on IRS filings
Friends of State Parks Inc is a public charity, based in Bethania, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $75K. Net investment income was $25K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Friends of State Parks Inc is led by Fred Schachter, President on every filing since 2024; 1 of 18 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Fred Schachter
President
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Harris
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Langley
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Jaeger-Gale
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Henry Crews
Director
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Juan Contreras Juarez
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mazie Smith
Director
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott White
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Hedgepeth
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Pope
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Sheffield
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Leonard
Executive Di
2nd Vice President → Executive Di, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$67K (2024) → $80K (2025)
Jim Richardson
Director Emeritus
President → Past President, 2021
Past President → Director Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Aydlett
Past President
1st Vice President → President, 2023
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Schneider
1st Vice President
Director → 1st Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Thornley
2nd Vice President
Secretary → 2nd Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terri Ashby
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly King
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Abrahim Oudeh (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Joy Shuck (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Steve Shelton (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Brownie Futrell (2024) — Director
- Former: David Pearson (2020–2023) — Executive Di
- Former: Elijah Woods Jr. (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Will Hendrick (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ashley Futrell (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Louis Rogers (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Tim Simpson (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Vince Morton (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Dewey Matherly (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Keith Walsh (2021–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Rob Hewett (2021–2022) — 2nd Vice President
- Former: Alec Whittaker (2020) — Director
- Former: Claudia Graham (2020) — Director
- Former: Doug Youngblood (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Jane Hunt (2020) — Director
- Former: John Young (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Lance Hardin (2020) — Director
- Former: Larry Ragsdale (2020) — 2nd Vice President
- Former: Laura Haywood (2020) — Director
- Former: Lindsey Golnik (2020) — Director
- Former: Morgan Lloyd (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $80K, to Michelle Leonard (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about Friends of State Parks Inc
How much does Friends of State Parks Inc give each year?
Friends of State Parks Inc gave $75K across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it reported $12K in grants paid.
What is Friends of State Parks Inc's typical grant size?
Friends of State Parks Inc's median grant in 2025 was $7,029, and its average grant was $10,654, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Friends of State Parks Inc give grants?
Friends of State Parks Inc gives mostly in North Carolina: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (4 grants).
Does Friends of State Parks Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Friends of State Parks Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Friends of State Parks Inc's largest grantees?
Friends of State Parks Inc's largest 2025 grantees include 5000 or Less - Yipee Grants ($31,232), Jockey's Ridge State Park ($10,000) and NC High Peaks Trail Assoc ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Friends of State Parks Inc?
Friends of State Parks Inc reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $448K.
What is Friends of State Parks Inc's EIN?
Friends of State Parks Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1634155. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 1, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Friends of State Parks Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?