Funding Our Parks is About More than Preservation
Originally Posted to Charity Bridge Fund | April 16, 2026
The Grand Canyon
National Parks in the U.S. have been called “America’s Best Idea”. The over 430 parks have been preserved not for capitalist motives or for elite access, but for every American to experience. These Parks have connected Americans to the land and to one another for over 100 years. But now there is strain on these spaces that is unlike anything we’ve seen before.
National Parks are facing a convergence of challenges, including staff cuts, rising visitation, climate impacts, and a massive maintenance backlog of over $23 billion. The bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act’s maintenance funding ended at the end of 2025, which makes this backlog even more significant. Despite the progress that was made, the cost of routine maintenance is simply too large when compared to what Congress is funding annually.
And that is compounded by federal budget cuts that threaten to make this crisis even bigger. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) warns that reduced funding would further strain already limited staff and accelerate the deterioration of park resources.
National parks serve millions of people each year, support local economies, and preserve cultural and environmental heritage for future generations. When investment falls short, it’s not just the land that suffers; communities, education, and job opportunities are impacted.
Yosemite National Park
Act Now
This moment is a turning point for these essential public lands. The challenges facing our National Parks reflect a broader issue seen across the nonprofit and public sectors: critical infrastructure and programs often go underfunded despite their clear value to society.
NPCA offers outlines for getting involved in the political process and urging your representatives to pass legislation that supports the parks, as well as their staff, transportation, and history.
Charity Bridge Fund also connects resources with impact, by bridging the gap between urgent needs and sustainable solutions. You can give to National Parks through our platform here.
Ensuring that our parks endure isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a collective responsibility. And now is the time to be responsible.