Thriving Non-Profit Organizations in National Parks Amidst Service Disruption Chaos

The Grand Canyon Conservancy, a nonprofit organisation associated with Grand Canyon National Park, has launched a new fundraising campaign called Stand Together for Grand Canyon on April 24, 2025. This campaign aims to provide much-needed support to the park, as it faces staffing shortages due to cuts within the National Park Service (NPS).

In a statement, Kaci Yoh, Communications Manager of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy (RMC), expressed that her organisation is ready to respond to the park's evolving needs as they arise. The RMC, which operates in Rocky Mountain National Park, has a "healthy best-use fund" designed to help its partner park pivot in times of shifting priorities.

The Grand Canyon Conservancy operates six park stores next to visitor centers, completes annual building maintenance at two historic buildings, and provides funding and volunteers for the Grand Canyon's Preventative Search and Rescue teams. Their funds are applied to the priority areas identified by its park partners, and the organisation is prepared to be responsive as their needs evolve.

The Yosemite Conservancy, the nonprofit organisation negotiating to fund permanent staff positions within Yosemite National Park, is also working closely with partners and stakeholders to protect national parks in times of transition. Cassius M. Cash, President and CEO of Yosemite Conservancy, is at the forefront of these efforts.

Meanwhile, the Shenandoah National Park Trust, a nonprofit group that raises money for Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, has received more than triple the total number of volunteering inquiries in the past two months compared to 2024. Cocciolone from Shenandoah National Park Trust is leaning more into advocacy to educate donors, policymakers, and the community about the impact of staff cuts on park operations.

However, it's important to note that while volunteers can fill in for staff losses to some extent, they cannot replace the need for full-time, highly trained, and vetted park staff. The NPS has issued unprecedented orders requiring parks to remain open despite staffing shortages and giving Tyler Hassan of the Department of Government Efficiency the power to consolidate, unify, and optimise administrative functions within the NPS.

Partnership initiatives with the Grand Canyon's eleven associated tribes are also under threat due to financial uncertainty. NPS programs around scientific research, climate research, and conservation are put under threat in times of financial uncertainty.

Despite these challenges, Cash is open to creative approaches while remaining true to the Yosemite Conservancy's mission. The Shenandoah National Park Trust has provided portable restrooms, volunteer support, campground hosts, volunteers to remove invasive species, and trail crews during government shutdowns and normal years.

As the future of national parks hangs in the balance, organisations like the Grand Canyon Conservancy, Yosemite Conservancy, and Shenandoah National Park Trust are stepping up to ensure the stability of these iconic parks. The Stand Together for Grand Canyon campaign is a testament to this commitment, and it serves as a call to action for all who value the beauty and importance of our national parks.