Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. With 27 employees, the Foundation is dedicated to supporting the preservation and enhancement of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile scenic roadway spanning North Carolina and Virginia. The Foundation primarily focuses on fundraising to address critical needs along the Parkway, particularly those stemming from declining federal funding. Their efforts encompass a wide range of initiatives, including historical and cultural preservation, environmental protection, visitor amenities, and educational outreach. They achieve this through various avenues such as individual gifts, grants, endowments, and charitable trusts. A key differentiator for the Foundation is its close collaboration with the superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway and National Park Service staff to identify and prioritize projects. They also actively engage with their "Community of Stewards," incorporating their feedback and wishes for the future of the Parkway. Furthermore, the Foundation champions the next generation of public land stewards through its Kids in Parks program, a network of self-guided trail adventures, and by funding music programming at the Blue Ridge Music Center. For more information about the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and its initiatives, visit their website at brpfoundation.org.