The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is a leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant, and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. Based in Ashburn, Virginia, NRPA operates as a 501(c)(3) organization that has been tax-exempt since June 1933. The organization serves a network of more than 60,000 park and recreation professionals and advocates representing public spaces in urban communities, rural settings, and everything in between.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$26.9M
+9.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
+24.4% YoY
Grant Count
80
+90.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
-34.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To advance parks, recreation, and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people.
Vision: A future where the full power of parks and recreation is widely recognized for creating a better life for everyone by building strong, healthy, and resilient communities.
NRPA's strategic priorities include:
- Equity at the Center: Supporting equitable access to parks and recreation centers
- Climate-Ready Parks: Creating environmentally resilient park infrastructure
- Health and Well-Being: Advancing mental and physical health through parks and recreation
The organization addresses pressing issues including advancing mental and physical health, creating climate-ready parks, supporting equity and inclusion, and building resilient communities.
Grantmaking
NRPA provides grant funding to local park and recreation agencies and related organizations. According to recent filings, the organization provided over $3.2 million in grant funding, impacting more than 585,000 people through these programs.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NRPA operates nationally, serving park and recreation professionals and communities across the United States in urban communities, rural settings, and everything in between.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Revenues: $24,736,989
- Total Expenses: $21,943,369
- Total Assets: $26,857,425
- Number of Employees: 105
Prior Year Data (2023):
- Revenue: $20.8M
- Expenses: $19.9M
- Total Assets: $24.6M
- Total Liabilities: $7.59M
Program Service Revenue (2023): $9,064,405
Investment Income (2023): $1,614,506
Other Revenue (2023): $1,814,609
NRPA maintains a strong financial position with a Four-Star rating from independent charity evaluators, reflecting excellent accountability and financial management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $26,857,425 | $24,572,227 | $23,732,321 |
| Revenue | $24,736,989 | $20,842,167 | $16,369,699 |
| Expenses | $21,943,369 | $19,928,136 | $19,132,764 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,847,895 | $1,614,506 | $1,059,970 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
240 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from National Recreation and Park Association
10-Minute Walk Campaign - Grants and Technical Assistance
NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
August 2, 2026
Meet Me at the Park - Play Space Grants
NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION
Amount
$30,000 per grant
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz
NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION
Amount
One of three $1,000 prizes or prize packs
Deadline
September 30, 2026
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include City of Farmington Parks and Recreation ($130,100), City of Douglasville Georgia ($77,000), City of La Verne ($77,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARIZONA YOUTH PARTNERSHIP TUCSON, AZ | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $13,897 |
| ASHEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ASHEVILLE, NC | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $23,265 |
| BEREA COLLEGE BEREA, KY | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| BERWICK PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT BERWICK, ME | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $35,050 |
| BROWARD COUNTY OAKLAND PARK, FL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BUFFALO NIAGARA RIVER LAND TRUST INC BUFFALO, NY | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BURLINGTON RECREATION & PARKS BURLINGTON, NC | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $24,437 |
| CALVERT COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION PRINCE FREDERICK, MD | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $22,843 |
| CARTER COUNTY DRUG PREVENTION COALITION ELIZABETHTON, TN | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $76,689 |
| CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT CHICAGO, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
President & CEO: Kristine Stratton
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRISTINE STRATTON | PRESIDENT & CEO | 38 | $370,101 |
| JESUS AGUIRRE | DIRECTOR UNTIL 10/23 THEN CHAIR | 4 | — |
| CAROLYN MCKNIGHT FREDD CPRP | CHAIR UNTIL 10/23 THEN PAST CHAIR | 1 | — |
| SUSIE KURUVILLA | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| JOSHUA MEDEIROS | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| KATHY ABBOTT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| REBECCA ARMSTRONG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SAMUEL ASSEFA | DIRECTOR AS OF 10/23 | 1 | — |
| RICK ATKINS | DIRECTOR AS OF 10/23 | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY-PAUL AP DIAZ | DIRECTOR AS OF 10/23 | 1 | — |
| JOSE FELIX DIAZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAKITA FRAZIER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PHIL GINSBURG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SEAN JOHNSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SUSIE KURUVILLA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOANNA LOMBARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MOLLIE MARSH-HEINE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATHRYN OTT LOVELL | DIRECTOR AS OF 10/2023 | 1 | — |
| BEN PAGE | DIRECTOR AS OF 10/2023 | 1 | — |
| JOHN PRUE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ARNOLD RANDALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BREECE ROBERTSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TIFFANY WHITE-LAPIERRE | DIRECTOR AS OF 10/2023 | 1 | — |
| MONICA H VINLUAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PHILIP WU | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| XAVIER D URRUTIA | TREASURER UNTIL 10/2023 | 1 | — |
| VICTOR DOVER | DIRECTOR UNTIL 10/2023 | 1 | — |
| ANGELOU EXEILO | DIRECTOR UNTIL 10/2023 | 1 | — |
| NONET SYKES | DIRECTOR UNTIL 10/2023 | 1 | — |
| KELLIE MAY | CHIEF PARTNERSHIP OFFICER | 38 | $172,064 |
| AUTUMN SAXTON | CHIEF EDUCATION AND EQUITY OFFICER | 38 | $169,060 |
| CANDICE CARNAGE | CHIEF FINANCIAL AND OPERATING OFFICER | 38 | $216,648 |
| CLARISSA GARCIA | CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT OFFICER | 38 | $193,860 |
| KEVIN ROTH | VP OF RESEARCH UNTIL 10/23 | 38 | $164,875 |
| JULIE BOLAND | VICE PRESIDENT OF CREDENTIALING AND MEMBERSHIP OPE | 38 | $155,477 |
| JOHN MANCUSO | SENIOR DIRECTOR, IT | 38 | $139,423 |
| AMANDA HERSEY | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF CONFERENCES | 38 | $130,202 |
| AJA JENKINS | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE | 38 | $129,678 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
NRPA has been active in awarding grants to support youth sports transformation and healthy, sustainable parks initiatives. The organization continues to expand professional development offerings while integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into all operations.
Terrebonne Parish Athletics Awarded NRPA Grant for Youth SportsThe NRPA Annual Conference is the largest gathering of park and recreation professionals in the United States, attracting approximately 8,000 attendees annually with over 200 education sessions covering conservation, resiliency efforts, health and wellness initiatives, and equitable access to parks and recreation centers.
NRPA Awards Grants to Transform Youth Sports Landscape | National RecreationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does National Recreation and Park Association fund?
**Mission:** To advance parks, recreation, and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people. **Vision:** A future where the full power of parks and recreation is widely recognized for creating a better life for everyone by building strong, healthy, and resilient communities. NRPA's strategic priorities include: • **Equity at the Center:** Supporting equitable access to parks and recreation centers • **Climate-Ready Parks:** Creating environmentally resilien…
How do I apply for a grant from National Recreation and Park Association?
NRPA provides grant funding to local park and recreation agencies and related organizations. According to recent filings, the organization provided over $3.2 million in grant funding, impacting more than 585,000 people through these programs. Recent grant activity includes: • Awards to transform youth sports landscape • Grants supporting healthy and sustainable parks (including a $535,000 grant award in partnership with Niagara Cares) • Youth sports grants (including awards to organizations lik…
Where does National Recreation and Park Association make grants?
NRPA operates nationally, serving park and recreation professionals and communities across the United States in urban communities, rural settings, and everything in between.
What size grants does National Recreation and Park Association award?
In 2024, National Recreation and Park Association awarded 80 grants totaling $2.3M — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is National Recreation and Park Association's EIN?
National Recreation and Park Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-5563001. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in National Recreation and Park Association's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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