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Emerald Necklace Conservancy Inc

EIN 04-3414988 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RESTORE AND IMPROVE THE EMERALD NECKLACE FOR ALL.

Income
$5.3 million
Spending
$5.1 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
10.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
29
Volunteers
1,621
Highest pay
$207,658, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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

    26 of 26 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 September 30, 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 (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR SEVERAL IMPORTANT PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT THE EMERALD NECKLACE, INCLUDING WHITE STADIUM IN HISTORIC FRANKLIN PARK, THE CHARLESGATE REVITALIZATION PROJECT, SHATTUCK HOSPITAL AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN PARKLAND PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING, ARBORWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, MUDDY RIVER RESTORATION PHASE II PROJECT, ADVOCATING FOR INCREASED LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL INVESTMENTS IN PARKS MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEMATIC GUIDELINES THAT COULD APPLY TO DEVELOPMENT CITYWIDE.
  2. $709,897 spent. CHARLESGATE PROJECT - CHARLESGATE PARK, LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF BOSTON'S BACK BAY, FENWAY AND KENMORE NEIGHBORHOODS, WAS DESIGNED BY FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED AS A CRITICAL LINK TO CONNECT THE EMERALD NECKLACE, CHARLES RIVER ESPLANADE AND THE COMMONWEALTH AVENUE MALL. OUR PROPOSED DESIGN FOR CHARLESGATE WILL REBUILD AND EXPAND A PEOPLE-FRIENDLY AND REGIONAL PATHWAY NETWORK, RESTORING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE EMERALD NECKLACE, CHARLES RIVER ESPLANADE AND COMMONWEALTH MALL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN FIVE DECADES. WHEN COMPLETE, THIS RESTORED SYSTEM WILL ALLOW DIRECT WALKING AND CYCLING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN LOCATIONS AS DISTANT AS BOSTON'S NORTH STATION, CHARLESTOWN, DORCHESTER, CAMBRIDGE AND WATERTOWN.
  3. $535,803 spent. MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION - THE EMERALD NECKLACE CONSERVANCY ADVOCATES FOR AND CONSERVES THE EMERALD NECKLACE THROUGH PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS TO RESTORE AND RENEW THE LANDSCAPE, WATERWAYS AND PARKWAYS OF THE OLMSTED-DESIGNED PARK SYSTEM. THE CONSERVANCY BRINGS TOGETHER THE MANY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARK PARTNERS TO PRIORITIZE, FUND AND IMPLEMENT RESTORATION INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT THE PARK SYSTEM. IN CONJUNCTION WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERS, ORGANIZES AND IMPLEMENTS MAINTENANCE INITIATIVES TO PRESERVE THE NATURALISTIC BEAUTY OF OLMSTED'S PARKS AS WELL AS MAINTAIN THE GARDENS AND PATHWAYS. IN FY 2024 THE CONSERVANCY BEGAN THE SECOND SEVEN YEAR CYCLE OF PRUNING THE INVENTORY; THE CONSERVANCY PRUNED 715 TREES IN OLMSTED PARK WHICH WILL KEEP THE TREES AND PARK HEALTHY AND SAFE FOR YEARS TO COME. IN THE BACK BAY FENS AREA, A PRUNING PROJECT TOOK TAKE PLACE IN FY 2025.
  4. $777,362 spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS - THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS HOSTING EVENTS IN THE PARKS TO OFFER MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING ELEMENTS LIKE AMERICAN SIGN-LANGUAGE ("ASL") INTERPRETATION, BIPOC-LED MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, AND SIGNAGE IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES. YOUTH PROGRAMS - THE CONSERVANCY'S GREEN TEAM IS A SUMMER YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND REAL WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE PARKS DURING AN INTENSIVE SIX WEEKS THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BOSTON OFFICE OF YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND OPPORTUNITY. PARTICIPANTS REGULARLY WORKED IN VARIOUS EMERALD NECKLACE PARKS MAINTAINING THE LANDSCAPE; TOOK FIELD TRIPS AND EDUCATIONAL TOURS WITHIN THE NECKLACE AND BEYOND; PARTICIPATED IN AN ANTI-BULLYING AND INCLUSION WORKSHOP; EXPLORED CAREER PATHWAYS IN ENVIRONMENTAL FIELDS WITH THE USDA FOREST SERVICE AND ARNOLD ARBORETUM PROFESSIONAL STAFF; PARTICIPATED IN TEAM BUILDING, AND CAREER SOFT-SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES. CANOPY CLASSROOM IS A PLACE-BASED, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM AND STATE STANDARDS. THE FIELD-TRIP PROGRAM HELD IN EMERALD NECKLACE PARKS CONNECTS BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS THIRD GRADERS WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE IN THE REAL WORLD AND THEIR DAILY LIVES.VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - THE CONSERVANCY'S CORPORATE VOLUNTEER DAYS, "DAYS IN THE DIRT", AND OUR FREE PUBLIC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, "TUESDAYS WITH ROSES AND "SECOND SATURDAYS",CONTINUE TO BE POPULAR OFFERING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS. VOLUNTEERS HELP MAINTAIN AND RESTORE THE EMERALD NECKLACE BY RAKING LEAVES, PICKING UP GARBAGE, REMOVING INVASIVE PLANTS, OR PLANTING NEW TREES AND SHRUBS. VOLUNTEERS SPENT 2,829 HOURS CARING FOR THE EMERALD NECKLACE-WORK THAT IS CRITICAL TO THE CONSERVANCY'S MISSION.VISITOR SERVICES - THE CONSERVANCY'S FREE PUBLIC SHATTUCK VISITOR CENTER IS LOCATED IN THE BACK BAY FENS AT 125 THE FENWAY, ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS. THE VISITOR CENTER IS AN INFORMATION AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE ABOUT THE PARKS AND A GATHERING PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND INCLUDES A PUBLIC RESTROOM. A HUB OF ACTIVITY, YOU'LL FIND A VARIETY OF FREE THINGS TO DO IN BOSTON PARKS AT THE SHATTUCK VISITOR CENTER FROM WALKING TOURS TO TALKS AND EXHIBITS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 September 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 March 1999.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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