Donating through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation
More than 18 million children and adults visit Indiana State Parks’ 37 properties every year. Visitors have access to nearly 400,000 acres of forests, prairies, historic features, wetlands, rivers, soaring rock cliffs and plunging waterfalls, as well as all the plants and wildlife living there. You can help us grow and support this wonderful array of natural and cultural resources by donating to any one of these funds via our supporting not-for-profit, the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation.
- General Park Support
Whether it is support for the purchase of land, helping to establish a new Friends group at a property, support for an interpretive naturalist's nature center and programs, or purchasing supplies for trail building, this fund allows you to help us meet the most pressing needs of Indiana State Parks. To contribute to this fund, select Give a Designated Gift and choose "STATE PARKS" from the drop-down menu in your online donation, or write it in the memo section of your check.
- Discover the Outdoors Program for School Field Trips
You can sponsor a school field trip to a state park or reservoir nature center for as little as $100. Your support will allow children to experience Indiana's natural heritage through hands-on approaches that correlate with Indiana's science and math standards. To contribute to this fund, select Give a Designated Gift and choose "DISCOVER THE OUTDOORS" from the drop-down menu in your online donation, or write it in the memo section of your check.
- Memorial Donation through INRF
Make a donation in honor or memory of a friend or family member. To make a memorial donation to the INRF, please place your loved one’s name in the “In Memory Of” or “In Honor Of” boxes in in your online donation, or write it in the memo section of your check.
- Turkey Run's Lusk Home Kitchen Renovation
Turkey Run State Park is home to several historic buildings. The Lusk Home and Lieber Cabin were both built in the early 1800s. If you would like to donate to the continual upkeep of these buildings, select Give a Designated Gift and choose “LUSK HOME” from the drop-down menu in your online donation or write it in the memo section of your check.
- Col. William Jones Home Fund
This 1800s home in Spencer County has ties to Abraham Lincoln's youth and teen years in Indiana. It is managed by Lincoln State Park, and donations are used to maintain the home, provide period reproductions, and support events at the site. To support Lincoln State Park's efforts to preserve the legacy of Jones, select Give a Designated Gift and choose "THE COOK ENDOWMENT" from the drop-down menu in your online donation or write it in the memo section of your check.
- Patoka Lake Raptor Shelter Fund
Help Patoka Lake construct new raptor shelters that will provide safe and accessible viewing by the general public. To support this project, select Give a Designated Gift and choose "PATOKA LAKE RAPTOR SHELTER" from the drop-down menu in your online donation, or write it in the memo section of your check. See Patoka Lake Raptor Center illustration.
Donating to your favorite property
You can donate funds or supplies directly to your favorite property. Receipts are provided for all monetary donations except those placed in property bluebird donation boxes.
For more information or other giving opportunities at your local properties, please email DonateINStateParks@dnr.IN.gov. Thank you for supporting Indiana State Parks.
- Support interpretation
Interpretation is a valuable part of the visitor experience at Indiana State Parks properties. If you've ever read a bulletin board for information, hiked a trail and read the signs along your hike, birdwatched at a reconstructed wetland, picked up a wildflower brochure, or visited an interpretive center, you've had contact–either directly or indirectly–with an interpreter. Most of the programs and facilities offered through Interpretive Services are provided free of charge. Your monetary gift or donation of materials supports our interpretive efforts. If you believe our programs and interpretive centers are valuable assets for Hoosiers, you can contribute in these ways:
- Donate to the "bluebird" donation box at your favorite property.
- Ask the interpreter for a copy of the property "wish list" for program supplies.
- Purchase a gift card to a local department store to give to the interpretive center.
- Mail donation gifts to Deputy Director for Stewardship, Indiana State Parks, 402 W. Washington Room W298, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Please note which property you would like to give to and provide contact information. Donations can be tax deductible.
- Support natural and historic resources
Conservation of our unique natural resources and protection of our historic features are at the heart of Indiana State Parks’ mission. Your gifts can help remove invasive species, purchase equipment for prescribed fire teams, and restore historic buildings and features. Email for more information or mail your gift to the Deputy Director for Stewardship, Indiana State Parks, 402 W. Washington RM W298, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Provide your contact information. Donations can be tax deductible.
- Memorial Donations
Make a donation in honor or memory of a friend or family member. Email for more information, or mail donations to Deputy Director for Stewardship, Indiana State Parks, 402 W. Washington RM W298, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Please note who the donation is in honor of, which property the gift is for, and provide your contact information. Donations can be tax deductible.
- Indiana State Park Friends Groups
Friends groups raise funds for specific park projects and donate time and dollars to sponsor or support individual park events. Connect with a Friends group at your favorite property or email DonateINStateParks@dnr.IN.gov for more information.
- Indiana Parks Alliance
The Indiana Parks Alliance supports Indiana State Parks and dedicated state nature preserves through advocacy and fundraising for Friends groups and projects. Learn more, join, and donate at www.indianaparksalliance.org.