Guest Donation Program

coins in a jar and on a table
Stock image showing coins in a jar.

In-Park Fundraising

Under the National Park Service Checkout Counter Donation Program, park superintendents may authorize a cooperating association or commercial visitor service provider (lessees, concessioners, commercial use authorization (CUA) holders) to give their customers the opportunity to support the park they are visiting through a donation added to their lodging, meal, or other transaction. Any program implemented using this authority must adhere to specific procedures and is subject to termination by the Director, National Park Service (Service), for non-compliance.

Scope of In-Park Program

This program authorizes willing in-park commercial service providers to give guests the opportunity to donate to the national park they are visiting through the park’s nonprofit partner or the National Park Foundation. These donations are not additions to concessioner approved rates, and are in no way related to contract room rate approval or gross revenue franchise fees. It is a voluntary public service action by the donor and the commercial service provider.One hundred percent of the funds donated must be held in a special account until dispersed in accordance with the program authorization.

General Policy Approval

Commercial Service providers need authorization from the area Superintendent to implement a checkout counter program. The authorization form can be found here. Any program implemented using this authority must adhere to the procedures outlined in NPS Reference Manual 21 and is subject to termination by the Director, National Park Service, for non-compliance.

Standard Operating Procedures

  • Commercial Service providers can find information about Checkout Counter Program standard operating procedures on the NPS.gov Partnerships webpage.
  • The authorization form for the checkout counter program can be found here.
  • Commercial service providers can reach out to their park concession management specialist with questions on how the checkout counter program can be applied in their park.

Last updated: November 21, 2023