Governance

Governance & participation overview

In the months following the Eaton Fire of 2025, the Nature Friends Los Angeles Foundation helped establish the organizational structure needed to support fundraising, donations, financial recordkeeping, and long-term rebuilding efforts connected to the future of Nature Friends Los Angeles.

This page is intended primarily for individuals interested in helping develop, guide, or participate in the ongoing work of the Foundation as the organization continues to evolve and grow.

The Foundation exists to support and strengthen the long-term future of NFLA and its historic activities.  It is not intended to replace the Club or create a separate identity.  Rather, the Foundation exists to complement and support the work of the Club while helping preserve what generations of members built and assisting NFLA in adapting and thriving in a changing world.

The Eaton Fire demonstrated both the strength of the organization and the limitations of relying solely on a traditional membership-supported club model to sustain major preservation and rebuilding efforts. The future health of NFLA will likely require broader public engagement, expanded fundraising capacity, educational outreach, partnerships, and programs that connect the organization to the wider community.

The Foundation remains in an early stage of development. Much of the work thus far has involved building the organizational structure necessary to receive donations, maintain records, support rebuilding efforts, and begin planning for the future. Much of the real work still lies ahead.

Long-term sustainability will require broader participation, shared leadership, and a structure that can endure beyond any single individual.

The Foundation’s Role

The Foundation works alongside the Nature Friends Los Angeles Club.

The Club focuses on:

• Member activities

• Social events

• Hospitality

• Day-to-day operations

The Foundation focuses on:

• Fundraising

• Grants and donor development

• Public and educational programs

• Preservation projects

• Community outreach

• Long-term organizational support

The Foundation also supports fundraising events and other projects conducted in partnership with the Club.

What We Need

We are looking for people willing to contribute in practical and manageable ways.

Board members and volunteers do not need to participate in every aspect of the organization.  Our goal is to build a structure where individuals can focus on areas that match their own interests, skills, and available time.

Examples might include:

• Helping organize fundraising events

• Assisting with donor outreach

• Grant research and writing

• Communications and publicity

• Community partnerships

• Administrative or financial support

• Historical preservation efforts

• Developing educational or youth programs

• Helping identify new fundraising opportunities

While participation can be focused and limited in scope, the Foundation depends on active engagement and practical contribution from its board members and volunteers.

Leadership Opportunities

In many cases, we are not simply looking for volunteers to assist with existing programs.  We are looking for individuals willing to help shape and guide new efforts as they develop.

These may be limited and focused leadership roles built around a particular area of interest, skill, or community connection.

For example:

• A volunteer might help develop a scouting or youth program by reaching out to local organizations, identifying people with relevant expertise, and helping NFLA explore what a sustainable program could look like.

• Another person might help develop preservation initiatives, educational programming, community partnerships, or new fundraising approaches.

• Others may focus on organizing fundraising events in coordination with the Club.

The expectation is not that one person manages everything.  Rather, we hope to build a network of people willing to help move specific ideas and projects from concept to reality.

Participation & Governance

Unlike the Club’s day-to-day operational structure, much of the Foundation’s work is strategic, project-oriented, and administrative in nature.

Most Foundation meetings and coordination activities are conducted online, allowing participation from individuals with varying schedules, locations, and availability.

The Foundation is intentionally structured to allow evolving participation as projects and organizational needs change over time. Some individuals may become deeply involved in a particular initiative for several years and later step back as new leadership and new projects emerge.

We recognize that people have careers, families, retirement plans, and other commitments.  Our goal is to create meaningful opportunities for involvement that are sustainable, focused, and manageable rather than overwhelming.

Building broader participation and shared leadership is essential to ensuring that Nature Friends Los Angeles continues to thrive and serve future generations.

How to Contact Us

info@naturefriendsfoundation.org

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Draft Version 1.0
May 23, 2026
Jim Angus
President
Nature Friends Los Angeles Foundation