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Branch Brook Park Alliance

EIN 01-0716364 · Newark, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE OF BRANCH BROOK PARK ALLIANCE IS TO SAFEGUARD, PRESERVE, MAINTAIN, AND ENHANCE ESSEX COUNTY BRANCH BROOK PARK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, WHILE PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND PUBLIC ENJOYMENT OF THIS 360-ACRE HISTORIC LANDSCAPE.

Income
$876,310
Spending
$869,891
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
0
Volunteers
4,200

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 123% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $815,210 spent. WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, BRANCH BROOK PARK ALLIANCE PROVIDES STEWARDSHIP, RESTORATION GUIDANCE, MAINTENANCE SUPPORT, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS PROGRAMS IN ESSEX COUNTY BRANCH BROOK PARK. THE ORGANIZATION ADVANCES EQUITY BY ENSURING THAT INDIVIDUALS FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES HAVE ACCESSIBLE AND ENRICHING EXPERIENCES IN THE PARK. THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, THE ALLIANCE SUPPORTS THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS, PRESERVES THE PARK'S HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE, AND STRENGTHENS ITS ROLE AS A REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND CIVIC ASSET WELCOMING MORE THAN ONE MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY. FIVE PROGRAMS FUNDED THROUGH BRANCH BROOK PARK ALLIANCE ARE LISTED ON SCHEDULE O.1. VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM NAME: CARE OF THE PARK2025 IMPACT: ENGAGED 4,200 VOLUNTEERS IN PARK MAINTENANCE, BEAUTIFICATION, RESTORATION SUPPORT, AND COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES, ENHANCING THE PARK'S USABILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND AESTHETIC QUALITY.2. HEALTH AND WELL-BEING PROGRAM NAME: DISCOVER WELLNESS WITH BRANCH BROOK PARK ALLIANCE2025 IMPACT: PROVIDED FREE HEALTH-PROMOTING WELLNESS PROGRAMS SERVING OVER 3,500 PARTICIPANTS, SUPPORTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, SOCIAL CONNECTION, AND IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR PARK VISITORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.3. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM NAME: PARK AMBASSADORS2025 IMPACT: PROVIDED JOB TRAINING, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO 48 INDIVIDUALS, SUPPORTING ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH, AND CAREER READINESS.4. EDUCATION AND YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM NAME: BRANCH BROOK PARK ALLIANCE STEM WORKSHOPS2025 IMPACT: PROVIDED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND STEM-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO 340 INDIVIDUALS, PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY, PARK STEWARDSHIP, AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2020 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2022.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.