Resources

Getting Started on Organizing a Friends Group

What is a Friends Group?

“A Friends Group is any nonprofit organization established primarily to assist or benefit a specific park area, a series of park areas, a program, or the entire National Park System. A Friends Group can be the vehicle to provide an outlet for citizens’ passion about a park’s mission. Groups vary in size, structure, and purpose and benefit NPS in various ways, such as providing volunteer services, assisting with resource management and preservation, conducting fundraising efforts, and publicizing important issues. Funding to support the activities of the group come from donations, and often to a lesser extent, earned income.” Making Friends – An Introduction to Building National Park Service Friends Groups, April 2009

https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/0a04ba01-6b29-462e-9502-87256aa71125

Starting a Friends Group at Your Local State Park

If your local State Park doesn’t yet have a Friends Group and you’d like to start one, here are the first steps:

  1. Connect with Us We’re here to help you form a new Friends Group and ensure it thrives over time. As our partner, your group will receive:

    • Resources and guidance from Friends of Colorado State Parks

    • Tips for engaging your community

    • Fiscal sponsorship and ongoing support

    • Access to our Friends Group Guidelines for those just getting started

  2. Engage with Your State Park Friends Groups often begin with a small, passionate group of community members—or sometimes park staff—who see the value of deeper citizen involvement. A Friends Group is built on partnership: between the group, park staff, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Open communication is the foundation for success. Together with park staff, you can begin defining shared goals and objectives that everyone supports.

3.     Gather Community Input Understanding both the needs of the park and the interests of your community is essential to building a successful Friends Group. Start by connecting with community members or volunteers who already frequent the park—these individuals often form the “core” of your group, attending meetings and helping plan and implement projects.

To ensure inclusivity and alignment with visitor perspectives, reach out more broadly:

·        Host a community or visitor meeting

·        Conduct a park survey

·        Or use a combination of both

Once you’ve gathered input, share the feedback with park staff. Together, you can assess the information, identify priorities, and establish clear next steps.

4.     Write Your Mission Statement A mission statement provides direction and purpose. It should clearly express your group’s vision, values, and long-term goals. Keep it concise, inspiring, and easy to share with potential members and partners.

5.     Establish Group Structure Leadership roles can help your Friends Group stay organized, but they don’t need to be your first priority. In the beginning, focus on:

·        Building trust and collaboration among volunteers

·        Establishing a shared vision and attainable goals

·        Establish contact information for you group (email/mailing address, maybe a website), working with park staff, and scheduling meetings

·        Working together on small, meaningful projects

This approach allows members to get to know one another, discover individual skills and resources, and celebrate early successes. Once your group is steady and committed, you’ll be better positioned to formalize leadership roles and create a structure that supports long-term success.

6.     Collecting Donations/Fundraising. Your organization can only solicit for donations if you have applied and been approved for IRS tax exempt status - a 501(c)(3) - as a charitable organization. Until you feel your group is ready to do that, the Friends of Colorado State Parks can serve as a fiscal sponsor and collect donations and pay for expenses on your behalf.

7.    Apply for Tax Exempt Status - 501(c)(3) There are many resources available to direct you on how to apply for tax exempt status and what are the laws for charitable organizations.  Here are a few:

·       The Colorado Nonprofit Organization: Colorado Nonprofit Association

o   Principles & Practices for Nonprofit Excellence in Colorado. To view this document, your organization will need to be a member of CNA.

·       Starting a Nonprofit: Initial Filing Requirements - Colorado Nonprofit Association - Colorado Nonprofit Association

·       Community Resource Center: Nonprofit Start-Up Resources - CRC America

·       Internal Revenue Service: https://www.irs.gov/charities-and-nonprofits

·       Colorado Secretary of State: https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/info_center/eLearningCourses/StartupGuidanceForColoradoCharities/index.html

·       Colorado Secretary of State, Nonprofit Board Member Course: https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/charities/boardTraining.html

·       Colorado Secretary of State, Charities and Fundraisers Home Page: https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/charities/charitableHome.html

 

Other Resources

Click on the link below for a compilation of resources that will help you build, develop and sustain your local Friends group. If you still have a question, need more, or want to send along a resource, please email us.

 

Download this PDF for more information on:

  • Nonprofit and Organizational Development

  • Volunteer Recruitment, Training, and Management

  • Trails and Conservation Advocacy, Training and Grants

  • Marketing and Public Relations

  • Operations

  • Legal

  • Funding