Lena Park Community Development
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 8% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE INTEGRATED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND BUILD HEALTHY COMMUNITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF BOSTON.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 8%
- Reserves
- 40 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 45%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 14
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: 66 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 40.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 158% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $107,028 spent. AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - TO MAINTAIN HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR DETERIORATING HOUSING SECTORS AND THE DECREASING SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM AT LENA PARK SERVED 50-60 TEENS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13-20. THE EIGHT-WEEK PROGRAM INCLUDED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS, RECREATIONAL SPORTS ACTIVITIES, AND BOSTON FIRE DEPT TEEN ACADEMY. THE TEENS PARTICIPATED IN PLANNING AND EXECUTING THE ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC FOR OUR RESIDENT COMMUNITY. THESE ACTIVITIES GAVE THE TEENS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AND LEARN LIFE SKILLS IN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.DIGITAL EQUITY PROGRAM: LENA PARK OFFERED CLASSES, COMPUTERS, AND ONGOING TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON SENIOR CITIZENS.LENA PARK IS EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH NEW BOSTON AND 2 LIFE COMMUNITIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE VILLAGES PROJECT. THIS DEVELOPMENT IS LOCATED ON THE OLMSTED GREEN CAMPUS. THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE 127 AFFORDABLE SENIOR RENTAL UNITS; 66 AFFORDABLE INTERGENERATIONAL RENTAL UNITS AND 97 HOMEOWNERSHIP UNITS.THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER, A TEEN COMMUNITY CENTER AND A PHARMACY.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1972.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Highland Park Community Development Corporation (Brooklyn, NY), EIN 11-3462888. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.