Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation Inc

What it reported doing in 2025

The theme for 2025 was "trails", which celebrated the 11,000 miles of trails we have in the state park and forest systems, and provided an opportunity to educate, inform, and conserve through various modes and projects. From an educational perspective, we provided articles and information on new ways to recreate in state parks and forests. We used our platforms of newsletters, blogs, and social media to share information on new opportunities and looked at ways to engage volunteers, both at ppff and through our chapters. This included multiple corporate volunteer days. Key accomplishments include: 1) launching or revitalizing friends groups at promised land state parks and buchanan state forest. 2) expanding corporate volunteerism through deloitte, national fuel, gore, siemens, and others. 3) advancing accessibility through action track chairs, inclusive playgrounds, ada trail panels, and spanish-language educational videos. 4) completing major projects such as the start of restoration of the carroll cabin, grouse habitat interpretive panels (started), and trail improvements across multiple forests. 5) producing statewide outreach through newsletters, articles, podcasts, influencer partnerships, and the spanish-language radio program. 6) delivering trail training, leave no trace instruction, chainsaw certification, and online learning modules. 7) completing the pa outdoor corps workforce assessment and launch of the marketing plan. We launched a podcast, think outside with the Pennsylvania parks and forests foundation, which, to date, has over 7,000 unique downloads on listening platforms (not including youtube and the website). We expanded the conservation heritage project website to explore more untold stories to inspire a new generation of conservationists. We focused on trail funds to assist parks/forests improve trail conditions. 3,700 volunteers provided 39,000 hours of service 275 service projects 147 special events things made possible through ppff and friends' groups: 4,700 students reached through 119 programs supported through eitc donations. The organization continued work on the carroll cabin rehabilitation, securing funding for chimney stabilization and coordinating next phase planning with dcnr. Ppff also supported accessibility projects such as action track chairs at lackawanna state park and ada launch planning at chapman and locust lake. Other projects that supported state parks and forests included historic pavilion restoration at mont alto state park, creation of a new amphitheater at sinnemahoning state park , and expansion of a children's playground at mont alto state park. Our three-times-a-year newsletter included informative infographics and stories, some of which were repurposed as a blog and/or shared with state park and forest staff to assist with their outreach. The infographics that we produced are typically suggested by park or forest staff. Infographics included: wildlife watching, caring for state parks and forests, drowning prevention, canoe camping, trailside camping, taking photographs of fish, and understanding the overnight options in state parks and forests. The newsletter also featured updates on the work of friends and ppff and lead stories such as pa state forest hiking trails and trail history. Ppff and our friends reached over 60,000 people in 2025 through programs, events, tabling, and exhibits. These efforts broadened ppff's reach, engaged new audiences, and strengthened public understanding of stewardship and the health and economic benefits of outdoor recreation.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 82.5%; rating input score 82
• Program expense ratio: 93%; rating input score 93
• Fundraising efficiency: $42.14 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 86
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 24.1%; rating input score 77; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.55; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 75; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 78; 78th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4% per year; rating input score 100; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.1% per year; rating input score 100; 38th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 8% per year; rating input score 100; 48th percentile among comparable filings