Company Profile
Washington's National Park Fund
Company Overview
Washington's National Park Fund raises private support to deepen the public's love for, understanding of, and experiences in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Park. We serve as the official nonprofit partner supporting these parks; we strive to ensure the preservation of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and continued enjoyment for all.
Company History
Washington’s National Park Fund (WNPF) was established in 1993 by legendary mountaineer Lou Whittaker, and former Senator and Governor Dan Evans with the mission to raise private support to deepen the public's love for, understanding of, and experiences in Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic National Parks. Since then WNPF, in alliance with the three park superintendents, has been addressing a wide variety of needs in the parks.
Today, those needs are great. Over the past five years federal funding for all national parks has dropped by 12% and there is an $11.5 billion deferred maintenance backlog. Yet the number of visitors continues to increase – nearly 6 million people came to Washington’s national parks last year alone. WNPF strives to offset some of the funding gaps and fund important projects in each park.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
In the last seven years, Washington’s National Park Fund has given more than $3.5 million to Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks. We focus on four project areas in each park: funding Science & Research projects; improving Visitor Experiences through trail, campground and facilities upgrades; growing each parks Volunteerism & Stewardship programs; and supporting education programs for Youth & Families.