Mesa Verde Foundation

Mesa Verde Foundation (MVF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit, philanthropic partner to Mesa Verde National Park MVNP. 

MVF works to secure funding for capital improvements, special projects and educational endeavors that promote an understanding of Mesa Verde National Park’s cultural and natural resources. Mesa Verde Foundation promotes understanding and appreciation of Mesa Verde National Park and develops financial and other resources to support the park in its mission of protecting its cultural, natural, aesthetic, and wilderness values.

OUR MISSION

Mesa Verde Foundation’s mission is to promote understanding and appreciation of Mesa Verde National Park and to develop financial and other resources to support the park in its mission of protecting its cultural, natural, aesthetic, and wilderness values.

OUR GOALS

Beyond the preservation and protection of Mesa Verde National Park, we aim to help fund projects and programs that will enhance the natural and cultural landscapes of the park. Our goals are: 

• to champion educational programs for visitors, community members and members of associated tribes,
• to preserve the delicate remains of cliff dwellings and ancestral sites,
• to improve the ways in which visitors interact with the park and the experiences they receive as a result, and
• to protect and preserve the extraordinary collection of ancestral object

MVF has supported many important programs and projects for MVNP over the last twenty-six years. In 2025, with your support, we accomplished the following:

• We stabilized the last remaining wooden outhouse in the park, built in 1928 at Rock Springs Ranger Station. Federal funds won’t arrive until 2027—but your support ensured this historic structure doesn’t collapse before then.
• We funded two new e-bikes and safety gear for Interpretive Staff on Wetherill Mesa, helping reduce emissions and improve visitor engagement.
• With over 20 search and rescue calls annually, we helped launch a Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) program to keep visitors safe and informed.
• We funded a professional-grade metal detector and training to help preserve fragile artifacts from Ute, Diné and early 19th-century sites.
• We continued to support the creation of a virtual museum exhibit showcasing Native American artwork from the David Rockefeller estate—bringing Mesa Verde’s treasures to a global audience.

 

But the work is far from done. We need your help now more than ever to fund these ongoing initiatives in 2026:

• Fabrication and Installation of Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum Exhibits
• Enhanced Audio-Visual Production for Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum that will enable museum visitors to hear Tribal voices directly - deepening understanding and respect.
• Travel and consultation for 54 Tribal elders to review stored collections and identify sacred items for repatriation under NAGPRA.
• Monitoring and analysis of the Chapin Mesa Milkvetch will help protect this climate-sensitive plant found only in Mesa Verde and Ute Mountain Ute lands.
• Transportation to Mesa Verde for Students from schools in the Four Corners Region that lack funds for field trips. 
• Mobile Planetarium & Equipment to share the wonders of the night sky with communities year-round, regardless of weather or season.

We cannot do this without you! Your Colorado Gives Day donation is critical to continuing our work. Every dollar helps conserve natural landscapes, protect cultural heritage, and inspire future generations.

 These accomplishments are only possible because of the steadfast support of our contributors.

MVF looks forward to supporting many worthwhile programs and projects for MVNP in the years to come.