Arizona State Parks Foundation (ASPF) is the statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing, and advocating for Arizona’s State Parks & Trails. ASPF is committed to ensuring state parks and trail users affordable access to the finest possible experience while visiting Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources.
Arizona State Parks Foundation stands as the partner to assist Arizona State Parks & Trails in fulfilling its mission through education, community participation and financial support.
Purpose and Priorities
- Advocacy
- Information Sharing
- Fundraising and Partnerships
Preserve, promote and enhance
We work to increase public awareness of the variety of recreational, natural and historic resources within Arizona State Parks & Trails and the issues that impact them;
Actively encourage public participation and annual donor programs. Participation in local Friends groups and local activities to improve their parks;
Fundraise at all levels from individuals, corporations and foundations independent of state parks budget for specific identified parks & trails project needs.
Serve as the nonprofit fiscal agent for Arizona State Parks & Trails;
Work with ASPT staff.
We advocate and recognize the economic value of Arizona State Parks & Trails. Arizona State Parks Foundation is aligned with the ASPT Five-Year Plan in presenting four strategic pillars, optimizing systems, vitality, conservation, social equity, and thriving individuals and communities.
The foundation will work with and support the agency in implementing improved
- Programs
- Partnerships
- Human, financial, natural and cultural resources
- Economic impact
- Operations
- Development and communications
In the face of Arizona’s sprawling growth and development, 35 exceptional places have been set aside for the recreational, environmental and cultural enjoyment of Arizonans and all who visit our state and its natural resources. Our lakes, rivers, historic buildings and rich natural areas are Arizona State Parks & Trails. While the natural beauty and open spaces of Arizona are seen by citizens as our greatest asset, many residents and government representatives do not recognize or understand the significant economic impact that our parks have on the state’s economy.
In 2017 ASPF was the fiscal agent for a significant grant from APS to build the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park and raised additional dollars from individual and corporate contributions. ASPF funded Picacho Peak State Parks “Civil Wars Day” with a grant from the Union Pacific Foundation. We supported our affiliate, Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park, in securing permits for successful fundraisers helping to fund an Educational Solar Trail Project at the park. We supported Kartchner Caverns State Park’s annual “Guano Happens 5k Fun Run”, raising funds for construction of a children’s play facility in the park campground. ASPF transferred investment funds to Rim Country Friends of Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. We continue to explore opportunities for recruiting individual and corporate patrons, and local leaders on parks projects. We support the development of a Veterans Memorial Park in the West Valley. The Foundation has been instrumental in building advocacy and financial support for conservation of the Verde River, a critical Arizona waterway that impacts the long-term viability of ASP&T’s Verde River Natural Area and state parks adjacent to the river including Dead Horse Ranch State Park and Rockin’ River Ranch State Park to open in the near future.