Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration
Major
Business Administration
Date of Defense
11-19-2025
Graduate Advisor
Gerald Gao, PhD
Committee
Timothy Dombrowski, PhD
Ho Kim, PhD
Abstract
The sustainability of America's National Park System increasingly relies on public–private partnerships that leverage private philanthropy. While the National Park Foundation provides national support, local Park Partner nonprofit organizations, like the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, are key to community-level fundraising and advocacy. This qualitative study of the St. Louis Arch grounds renovation examines how this public–private partnership structure influences donor motivation, trust, and engagement. Guided by Social Exchange Theory and Resource Dependency Theory, this research explores the relational and structural dynamics of this philanthropic co-production including reciprocal donor motivations and interdependence among public, private, and nonprofit partners. Fifteen semi-structured interviews with individual and corporate donors revealed five major themes. Findings indicate that philanthropy to the St. Louis Arch is both relational and interdependent. Locally governed nonprofit organizations, partnered with national foundations, can enhance donor engagement through transparency and authentic community connection. The study concludes that this localized philanthropic co-production model is an important factor in the success of major National Park campaigns.
Recommended Citation
Northern, Jason S., "Building Bridges: Co-Producing Philanthropic Public-Private Partnerships for the United States National Park System" (2025). Dissertations. 1571.
https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/1571