The concept of partnership is deeply embedded in the management philosophy of Golden Gate. As a result, the park has developed some of the most effective partnerships in the NPS.    

The park’s number one partner for more than 24 years has been the nonprofit Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.  Since its inception, the Conservancy has provided more than $80 million in assistance to the park, helping in interpretation, natural and cultural resource protection, and planning.  The Parks Conservancy has been instrumental in facilitating visitor enhancements throughout the park, including the spectacular transformation of Crissy Field at the Presidio.

There are many other excellent partners with whom the park also collaborates.  In addition to programs offered by the National Park Service, park visitors can enjoy programs provided by a number of nonprofit organizations in facilities owned by the National Park Service. 

Many of the park’s better known programmatic partners are located in the Marin Headlands, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.  These include the Marine Mammal Center, Headlands Institute, Bay Area Discovery Museum, Headlands Center for the Arts, Point Bonita YMCA, and Hostelling International.  Antenna Theater, Aim High, and The Foundation for Deep Ecology also provide excellent programs.

In San Francisco, the Fort Mason Foundation oversees more than 10,000 programs serving more than 1.5 million park visitors annually.

Partnerships in education and volunteerism have helped put the park at the forefront of the NPS in these areas. 

Golden Gate continues to explore new partnerships and to perfect ways to nurture and sustain extend its ongoing collaborations.