Our Mission
The Bodie Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation, interpretation, and public enjoyment of Bodie State Historic Park, Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, and Grover Hot Springs State Park.
Our Vision
Within these parks we strive to provide a consistent stream of funding to the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to provide for the stabilization of structures, conservation of artifacts, ongoing maintenance program, interpretation, and protection of natural resources.
Our History
The Bodie Foundation was formed in 2008 by a small group of individuals dedicated to helping with the preservation of Bodie. During 2009 the Bodie Foundation became a 501 (c) (3) non-profit and signed a Donor Agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). In 2010 the mission of the Foundation was expanded by signing a Cooperating Agreement with DPR to raise funds to help support interpretation and education at Bodie State Historic Park, Mono Lake State Natural Reserve, and Grover Hot Springs State Park. Along with its new responsibilities, the Foundation also began operation of the Bodie Visitor Center and Museum, and opened the Grover Hot Springs Visitor Center in the spring of 2011. In 2012 the Foundation signed a Concession Contract with DPR to keep Mono Lake open to the public, as budget cuts continue to erode DPR’s operating budgets.
The Foundation’s fundraising is through memberships, donations from individuals and corporations, special events, planned giving program, and sales from the visitor centers and online stores. We are a relatively young, small non-profit, with an annual budget under $500,000, largely run by volunteers (board of trustees), a Business Manager, and two part-time staff members.
We have helped fund several preservation projects at Bodie, along with seasonal staffing to provide interpretive programs and maintenance. We also provide funds for staffing at Mono Lake and the Grover Hot Springs in order to help keep them open to the public.