Bryant Park Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Create a rich and dynamic, cultural and intellectual outdoor experience for New Yorkers and visitors by meticulously maintaining Bryant Park as a venue for free events and programs, attracting thousands of patrons at all hours during all seasons.
- Income
- $30.5 million
- Spending
- $31.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 73%
- Employees
- 262
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $1.1 million, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 54% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 14 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
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 June 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)
- $13.1 million spent. Winter Village: During the months of November through February, Bryant Parks central lawn is transformed into an ice-skating rink, surrounded by a deck for public viewing, a holiday market, a rink side food hall and service pavilions. Sponsorship of Winter Village provides for free public skating and special programs that draw thousands of visitors to the Park on a daily basis.
- $3.1 million spent. Public events and outdoor reading room: Bryant Park produces over 1000 free public events, performances and activities, annually. Popular programs include the Bryant Park Picnic Performances series, the Bryant Park Summer Film Series, Broadway in Bryant Park and Bryant Park Yoga, as well as the Bryant Park Reading Room Author Series and Piano in Bryant Park.
- $2.9 million spent. Park maintenance and sanitation: Uniformed sweepers keep the Park free from litter and debris, empty trash receptacles and clean the Parks public restrooms and other facilities.
- $8.8 million spent. Other program services include: Park security $2,410,096, Park programs and amenities $2,534,998, Capital projects $1,757,761, Retail services and promotion $1,247,799 and Horticulture $830,504.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.
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 September 1989.
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.
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.