Who We Are & What We Do

History and Mission of the Friends of Gorges State Park

Friends of Gorges State Park (FOG) was formed in 2011 as a counterpart to the Park Advisory Committee, which was formed at the same time as Gorges State Park. The PAC was and remains an advisory committee, leaving room for a second group to form that could/would fundraise and financially support park programs. PAC charter members Larry Ragsdale and Tom Thomas, with input from then superintendent Steve Pagano and support from the Friends of State Parks, formed the FOG organization for that express purpose. In April 2013 FOG was incorporated in North Carolina and, shortly thereafter, was designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-protfit, tax-exempt, tax-deductible public charity.

FOG is dedicated to supporting the Park and operates in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement or MOA between FOG and North Carolina Parks system that was executed later that same year. The FOG Board also operates in accordance with a set of bylaws that were updated and approved by the Membership in March of 2021. To view the current FOG Bylaws please click here.  

The mission of FOG is to: 

  1. Develop, encourage and promote public awareness of Gorges State Park of North Carolina

  2. Serve as a philanthropic volunteer organization for support of programs, development of facilities, and promotion of recreational facilities for Gorges State park

  3. Solicit, hold, and expend funds for such purposes

  4. Render assistance as requested by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, Gorges State Park

Our mission is exclusively nonprofit, charitable, educational and environmental. FOG may ask for donations for the Park, which the park staff, as governmental employees, cannot do. Funds raised are used to purchase educational and scientific equipment, to fund Gorges State Park research, and to provide materials and facilities that enhance recreation in the Park.

The Board of Directors of FOG is 100% voluntary and is currently made up of eight (8) individuals with a maximum of twelve (12). To read about our current board members click here.  We seek additional committed members of the community to join our board and hope that you will consider joining us in this important work. Please contact us if interested.

Please note that 100% of donations from any source go to our mission of preserving, promoting and supporting the Park.