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San Diego River Park Foundation

EIN 01-0565671 · San Diego, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To support and empower community groups working to restore and enhance the San Diego River and to foster stewardship of the important community and regional asset in perpetuity through advocacy, meaningful actions, education, and passion while promoting volunteerism and philanthropy.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
21
Volunteers
3,521
Highest pay
$151,918, president and ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 64% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (6)
  1. $316,558 spent. Watershed Stewardship This program includes our efforts to restore and care for portions of the river through a comprehensive strategy. Program efforts include conducting research and partnering with others to gain a better understanding of the rivers ecosystem and guide future projects. This program also includes managing more than 2600 acres of open space and providing opportunities for people to enjoy and explore this beautiful landscape.
  2. $184,733 spent. Healthy River Healthy Community This programs works toward a health, pollution-free river through an integrated approach of data collection, collaboration and action. This program has received national recognition for this innovative approach removed more than 100 tons of trash and refuse from the river during the year. In 2024, the program focused a great deal of effort to be part of the solution to address the growing challenge of homelessness in the riverbed. The data collected is shared with numerous public agencies and social service providers so that people living in the riverbed receive resources for a pathway to a better quality of life.
  3. $137,143 spent. Youth Nature Education the key to the future of the San Diego River and associated ecosystems are fostering nature connections through education. A variety of approaches are used with a focus on overcoming barriers for kids to the lifelong benefits of a strong nature connection. Utilizing STEM-based and hands-on activities, this program bridges this nature divide for thousands of youth.
  4. Program Service Expenses 61,654, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 3,003 Planning and Policy This program works to advance the vision of a 52 mile long regional park and trail system, acquires and conserves threatened open spaces, collaborates with public agencies and other partners to advance and advocate for key policy initiatives to improve the health and viability of the rivers ecoregion, and participates in community discussions to increase equity of access to nature.
  5. Program Service Expenses 162,794, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Community Engagement A signature program which strives to celebrate the San Diego River as a natural, cultural and recreational treasure, promotes equity of access to nature, and advances stewardship of the San Diego River by organizing more than 300 volunteer service projects annually. This program involves sharing information about this amazing resource, and hosting the annual San Diego River Days celebration and other events, maintaining public gardens, engaging academic interns and mobilizing volunteers for many other activities.
  6. Program Service Expenses 187,044, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Grant Park Grant Park is a program that includes construction of 17 acre nature learning and appreciation facility. Construction costs for the project have been capitalized. Phase two of construction which will lead to the opening of the facility in 2025 is now underway.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2002.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.