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Esplanade Association Inc

EIN 04-3550635 · 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 REVITALIZE AND ENHANCE THE CHARLES RIVER ESPLANADE, PRESERVE NATURAL GREEN SPACE AND BUILD COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR EVERYONE.

Income
$9.9 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
10.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
20
Volunteers
1,719
Highest pay
$205,420, executive di

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 66% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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 (1)
  1. $2.5 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. TOGETHER, THEY PLAN, DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION, ENHANCEMENT AND PROGRAMMATIC PROJECTS AND EVENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO VISIT THE PARK EACH YEAR. THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK FOCUSES ON: -PROJECTS DESIGNED TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE USE, AESTHETICS AND SAFETY OF THE PARK, INCLUDING MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF BALLFIELDS, PATHWAYS, AND PLAYGROUNDS, INSTALLATION OF NEW WAYFINDING SIGNAGE, COMMISSIONING OF PUBLIC ART, AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE LEE POOL SITE INTO A FIRST-RATE GATHERING, RECREATIONAL AND OPERATIONAL SPACE. - PROGRAMS THAT ENRICH THE ENJOYMENT OF VISITORS TO THE PARK, CONNECT PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES, AND PROMOTE A STRONG SENSE OF PARK OWNERSHIP, INCLUDING FREE FITNESS CLASSES, CONCERTS, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, TOURS, VOLUNTEER EVENTS, CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, AND MORE. - ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC POLICIES AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION THAT HELP PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE PARK FOR THE BENEFIT OF DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. OTHER PROGRAMS: - ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF THE PARK, SPECIFICALLY IN THE AREA OF GEESE CONTROL, LAWN MAINTENANCE, TREE CARE AND MAINTENANCE, SHORELINE VEGETATIVE MANAGEMENT, REHABILITATION OF MONUMENTS AND HISTORIC PARK ELEMENTS, TO PROMOTE A CLEAN AND CARED FOR NATURAL HABITAT; - PRODUCING OR HOSTING DONATION BASED ACTIVITIES INCLUDING A 5K RACE, BOSTON MARATHON TEAM, VOLUNTEER ACTIVITES, AND ANNUAL EVENTS: - COLLABORATION ON IMPROVING FOOD AND BEVERAGE OFFERINGS IN THE PARK AND ORGANIZING FREE FITNESS CLASSES. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. TOGETHER, THEY PLAN, DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION, ENHANCEMENT AND PROGRAMMATIC PROJECTS AND EVENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE MILLIONS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO VISIT THE PARK EACH YEAR. THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK FOCUSES ON: -PROJECTS DESIGNED TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE USE, AESTHETICS AND SAFETY OF THE PARK, INCLUDING MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF BALLFIELDS, PATHWAYS, AND PLAYGROUNDS, INSTALLATION OF NEW WAYFINDING SIGNAGE, COMMISSIONING OF PUBLIC ART, AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE LEE POOL SITE INTO A FIRST-RATE GATHERING, RECREATIONAL AND OPERATIONAL SPACE. - PROGRAMS THAT ENRICH THE ENJOYMENT OF VISITORS TO THE PARK, CONNECT PEOPLE FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES, AND PROMOTE A STRONG SENSE OF PARK OWNERSHIP, INCLUDING FREE FITNESS CLASSES, CONCERTS, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, TOURS, VOLUNTEER EVENTS, CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, AND MORE. - ADVOCACY FOR PUBLIC POLICIES AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION THAT HELP PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE PARK FOR THE BENEFIT OF DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. OTHER PROGRAMS: - ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF THE PARK, SPECIFICALLY IN THE AREA OF GEESE CONTROL, LAWN MAINTENANCE, TREE CARE AND MAINTENANCE, SHORELINE VEGETATIVE MANAGEMENT, REHABILITATION OF MONUMENTS AND HISTORIC PARK ELEMENTS, TO PROMOTE A CLEAN AND CARED FOR NATURAL HABITAT; - PRODUCING OR HOSTING DONATION BASED ACTIVITIES INCLUDING A 5K RACE, BOSTON MARATHON TEAM, VOLUNTEER ACTIVITES, AND ANNUAL EVENTS: - COLLABORATION ON IMPROVING FOOD AND BEVERAGE OFFERINGS IN THE PARK AND ORGANIZING FREE FITNESS CLASSES.

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 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 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 2024.

    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 2001.

    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.

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