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Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy Inc

EIN 20-1678932 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE PART I, LINE 1

Income
$8.6 million
Spending
$8.1 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
52
Volunteers
556
Highest pay
$244,046, executive director

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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

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

    20 of 20 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, 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. $3.9 million spent. SEE ATTACHED SCH O-MAINTENANCE, HORTICULTURE, AND RANGERSTHE GREENWAY IS A CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC PARK IN THE HEART OF BOSTON, WELCOMING MILLIONS OF VISITORS TO ENJOY OPEN SPACE, GORGEOUS GARDENS, PUBLIC ART, AND FREE PROGRAMMING. THE GREENWAY CONSERVANCY IS THE NON-PROFIT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND CARE OF THE GREENWAY. THE MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC PARK'S ANNUAL BUDGET IS GENEROUSLY PROVIDED BY PRIVATE SOURCES. IN 2025, THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUED ITS EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE GREENWAY: -THE HORTICULTURE PROGRAM IS EVOLVING TOWARD LONG-TERM SOIL HEALTH THROUGH IMPROVED SOIL STRUCTURE AND ORGANIC MATTER MANAGEMENT, REDUCING THE NEED FOR INTENSIVE INTERVENTIONS. THE CONSERVANCY HAS FULLY TRANSITIONED TO BATTERY-POWERED EQUIPMENT AND IS NEARING CERTIFIED ARBORETUM STATUS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECOGNITION AND FUNDING. THE VOLUNTEER BUTTERFLY MONITORING PROGRAM, WHICH DEEPENS THE UNDERSTANDING OF POLLINATOR HABITATS AND MIGRATORY PATTERNS ALSO EXPANDED. -THE MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS TEAMS COMPLETED SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS AND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ACROSS THE PARK, ACHIEVING ZERO DAYS OF FOUNTAIN DOWNTIME AND ENSURING A HIGH-QUALITY GUEST EXPERIENCE. MAJOR UPGRADES REPAIRED THE RINGS FOUNTAIN AND CHIN PARK WATERFALL, WHILE PLANNING ADVANCED FOR FUTURE MASONRY PROJECTS. AFTER MANY YEARS OF PLANNING, WORK ON THE LIGHTING AND PATHWAYS PROJECT BEGAN IN DECEMBER 2025 TO ENHANCE ACCESSIBILITY, SAFETY, AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR COMMUNITY USE.-THE GREENWAY WAS ONCE AGAIN FULL OF PROGRAMMING AND FESTIVALS, HOSTING 400+ EVENTS THAT WERE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THE GREENWAY CAROUSEL, BEVERAGE GARDENS, MARKETS, FITNESS PROGRAM, AND SLATE OF RETURNING AND NEW SPECIAL EVENTS, MOVIES, MUSIC, AND MORE, ATTRACTED DIVERSE AUDIENCES TO GATHER IN OUR BEAUTIFUL AND WELCOMING SPACE. -THE CONSERVANCY PRESENTED A ROBUST SEASON OF PUBLIC ART FEATURING 6 PROJECTS THAT ENGAGED RESTORATIVE HISTORIES AND CHARTED NEW COSMOLOGIES THAT CENTERED JOY, INTERDEPENDENCE, ABUNDANCE, AND WONDER, ASKING BOSTON TO RECONSIDER AND REIMAGINE ITS SENSE OF SELF AS A CITY. TOGETHER, THESE WORKS SPOKE TO THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE IMAGINATION TO ENVISION AND CREATE MORE JUST AND INCLUSIVE WORLDS, BEGINNING WITH OUR PUBLIC SPACES.-THE OUTREACH TEAM ADVANCED A COORDINATED COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY TO STRENGTHEN ENGAGEMENT AND ALIGNMENT ACROSS DEPARTMENTS. STAFF COMPLETED A COMMUNICATIONS AUDIT TO IMPROVE BRAND CONSISTENCY AND ACCESSIBILITY, LED A MAJOR PHOTOGRAPHY RFP WITH BROAD PARTICIPATION, AND LAUNCHED THE MULTILINGUAL "EXPLORE" BANNER CAMPAIGN TO EXPAND LINGUISTIC ACCESS AND INTEGRATE SPONSOR RECOGNITION. THE TEAM PRODUCED NEW STORYTELLING TOOLS, INCLUDING A GREENWAY MARKETING VIDEO AND THE PLAYWAY FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SUITE, TO SUPPORT SELF-GUIDED PARK EXPERIENCES. A VISUAL IDENTITY REFRESH INTRODUCED NEW TEMPLATES AND STAFF TRAININGS TO ENSURE CONSISTENT USE, WHILE WEBSITE UPDATES STREAMLINED NAVIGATION AND SIMPLIFIED CONTENT MANAGEMENT. MEDIA RELATIONS SECURED MORE THAN 120 PRESS PLACEMENTS, COMPLEMENTED BY ONGOING WORK ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA, EDUCATIONAL CONTENT, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO SUPPORT VISIBILITY AND STRATEGIC PLANNING GOALS.HORTICULTURE OUR GOAL OF BECOMING A CERTIFIED ARBORETUM IS WITHIN REACH AND THE APPLICATION WILL BE SUBMITTED BY THE END OF MARCH 2026. THE TEAM COLLABORATED TO DIGITALLY MAP AND LABEL 25 SEPARATE TREE SPECIES TO SUPPORT OUR APPLICATION. BEING RECOGNIZED AS AN ACCREDITED ARBORETUM WILL ELEVATE THE HORTICULTURAL STANDING OF THE GREENWAY, AND ALSO PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECOGNITION, FUNDING, AND INCLUSION WITHIN NOTABLE HORTICULTURAL CIRCLES.OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM SUPPORTS OUR HORTICULTURE INITIATIVES AND OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND CORPORATE, NON-PROFIT, ACADEMIC, AND OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS TO EXPERIENCE HANDS-ON LEARNING WHILE THEY ASSIST US WITH PARK STEWARDSHIP. IN 2025, 536 INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED 3,180 HOURS TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL ASSISTANCE. THROUGH OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, THE GREENWAY CONSERVANCY INCREASES THE PUBLIC'S AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF SUSTAINABLE GARDENING PRACTICES.MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL PROJECTSOUTSTANDING CARE OF THE PARK WAS OVERSEEN AND EXECUTED BY OUR GREENWAY MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL PROJECTS TEAM TO INCLUDE:MAINTENANCE-THE GREENWAY CONSERVANCY'S MAINTENANCE TEAM ACHIEVED ZERO DAYS OF FOUNTAIN DOWNTIME, ENSURING AN UNINTERRUPTED GUEST EXPERIENCE AND MAINTAINING FULL OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.-THE MAINTENANCE TEAM ALSO ACHIEVED AN UNINTERRUPTED SEASON DUE TO MECHANICAL ISSUES FOR THE GREENWAY CAROUSEL.CAPITAL PROJECTS-SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED ON PARK MASONRY, TRASH/RECYCLING BARRELS, AND CAROUSEL LIGHTING, WOOD FEATURES, AND PAINTING-CHIN PARK WATERFALL AND STREAMBED REPAIRS: ORIGINAL MEXICAN BEACH PEBBLES AND MORTAR BED WERE FULLY REMOVED, AND THE GRANITE STONES AT THE WATERFALL WERE CAREFULLY DEINSTALLED TO ALLOW ACCESS FOR A NEW, HIGH-PERFORMANCE WATERPROOFING LAYER TO BE APPLIED TO THE CONCRETE BASE SLAB. THIS NEW LAYER NOW EXTENDS CONTINUOUSLY INTO ALL THREE WATERFALL BASINS THAT FEED THE STREAM, FORMING A DURABLE BARRIER TO PROTECT AGAINST WATER INFILTRATION. ONCE THE WATERPROOFING WAS COMPLETE, OUR TEAM INSTALLED NEW MORTAR AND MEXICAN BEACH PEBBLES TO RECREATE THE STREAM'S NATURAL CONTOURS, GIVING IT A REFRESHED LOOK WHILE HONORING THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. THE GRANITE WATERFALL STONES WERE THEN REINSTALLED IN THEIR EXACT LOCATIONS TO PRESERVE THE ICONIC CASCADE EFFECT-WORK BEGAN ON THE LIGHTING AND PATHWAYS PROJECT IN DECEMBER 2025 FOR PARCELS 19, 21 AND 22. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE NEW PERMEABLE PATHWAYS FOR IMPROVED ACCESSIBILITY AND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, INSTALLATION OF NEW LIGHTING TO ENHANCE EVENING SAFETY AND PROVIDE ILLUMINATION OF THE MURAL WALL ON PARCEL 22, INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AND HIGH CAPACITY PERFORMANCE PANELS TO SUPPORT MORE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES ON THE GREENWAY. FINALLY, UPGRADING THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM ON PARCELS 19 AND 21 TO INCREASE
  2. $812,727 spent. SEE ATTACHED SCHEDULE O - PROGRAMSPROGRAMS MANY POPULAR PROGRAMS RETURNED TO THE GREENWAY IN 2025-THE CAROUSEL WAS OPERATIONAL FROM MARCH 21, 2025, TO JANUARY 4, 2026, WITH A YTD RIDERSHIP OF 83,077-THE GREENWAY ARTISAN MARKET WAS ACTIVE SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS FROM MAY 5 TO OCTOBER 25, 2025, WITH 5000 REPORTED VISITORS EACH DAY. -OUR GREENWAY FITNESS PROGRAM SAW ONE OF ITS MOST WELL-ATTENDED SEASONS TO DATE, WITH 206 CLASSES OFFERED FROM MAY TO OCTOBER AND ATTENDED BY 2,604 PARTICIPANTS. -OUR GREENWAY FOOD TRUCK PROGRAM FEATURED 22 FOOD TRUCKS, WITH 73% OF THE PARTNERS BEING WOMEN, BIPOC, AND LGBTQIA-OWNED BUSINESSES-OUR GREENWAY BEVERAGE GARDEN PROGRAM FEATURED NIGHT SHIFT BREWING AT DEWEY SQUARE AND TRILLIUM BREWING AT HIGH STREET AND ATLANTIC AVENUE. OUR BEVERAGE GARDENS WERE OPERATIONAL FROM MID-APRIL THROUGH EARLY NOVEMBER AND SAW OVER 70,000 PURCHASES MADE. -MORE THAN 500 UNIQUE VOLUNTEERS WORKED IN THE PARK TO SUPPORT HORTICULTURE, PROGRAMMING, MAINTENANCE, AND RESEARCH EFFORTS. GROUP VOLUNTEERS JOINED THE CONSERVANCY FOR THE FIRST-EVER RANGERS VOLUNTEER PROJECTS, WHICH ENTAILED DETAILED TRASH PICK UP IN THE PARK, AND A DEEPER LOOK AT THE RANGER ROLE IN PUBLIC SAFETY. VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE TO MONITOR BLOOM CYCLES FOR PLANTS IN THE PARK THROUGH THE PHENOLOGY PROGRAM AND MIGRATORY PATTERNS OF BUTTERFLIES IN THE BUTTERFLY MONITORING PROGRAM. -THE GREENWAY CONSERVANCY HOSTED MORE THAN 400 EVENTS, INCLUDING COMMUNITY EVENTS, FESTIVALS, RECURRING EVENT-BASED PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS, AND CONSERVANCY EVENTS, INCLUDING SPRING FEST 2025, TRUCK AND TRACTOR DAY, AND FALL FEST 2025.OUR PUBLIC ART PROGRAM ALSO PROGRAMMED MORE CONSISTENT AND COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS THROUGH HOSTING A VARIETY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES FOR THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL AND HANDS-ON ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE PARK. EXAMPLES OF THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE CYANOTYPE PRINTING WORKSHOPS, A ZINE MAKING WORKSHOP, THE "WELCOME TO THE COOKOUT" OPENING EVENT FOR BIG HOOPS TO FILL WHICH DREW 400+ GUESTS, AND A DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CLOSING EVENT FOR ELEVAR LA CULTURA.
  3. $992,087 spent. SEE ATTACHED SCHEDULE O - PUBLIC ARTPUBLIC ART OUR PUBLIC ART PROGRAM HOSTED MORE PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS IN 2025 (BOTH GREENWAY-CURRATED AND HOSTED PIECES) IN THE PARK THAN EVER BEFORE: 1. WESLEY WOFFORD, FNSS: "HOPE OUT OF DARKNESS", 2025 (HOSTED)2. VICTOR "MARKA27" QUIONEZ: "ELEVAR LA CULTURA", 2025 (HOSTED)3. JACKIE AMZQUITA, "SLIPS OF BREATH THROUGH CRACKS OF TIME: TO BURN, TO FLOW, TO RISE, TO HOLD RESPIROS QUE SE ESCAPAN A TRAVS DE LAS GRIETAS DEL TIEMPO: PARA ARDER, FLUIR, SURGIR Y SOSTENER," 2025 (NEW COMMISSION)4. ECOSISTEMA URBANO: "PLANTABLE", 2025 (NEW COMMISSION)5. MISA CHHAN: "YEAR OF THE SNAKE", 2025 (NEW COMMISSION)6. JA'HARI ORTEGA: "BIG HOOPS TO FILL", 2025 (NEW COMMISSION)7. MAGGIE POOST: "EARTHWRITING", 2025 (COMMISSIONED PUBLICATION)8. JEFFREY GIBSON: "YOUR SPIRIT WHISPERING IN MY EAR" 20249. LARISSA ROGERS: "GOING TO GROUND," 202410. LANI ASUNCIN: "SONG/LAND/SEA: WAI WATER WARNING & BINAKOL BLESSING," 202411. ZHIDONG ZHANG: "FAR AWAY, FROM HOME," 202412. PONNAPA PRAKKAMAKUL: "YEAR OF THE DRAGON", 202413. MARIA MOLTENI: "GATEWAY TO INFINITY (AN ANTI-MONUMENT)", 202314. ARTISTS FOR HUMANITY: "LOVE LANGUAGE", 2023 (ARTWORK CREATED BY A YOUTH-LED TEAM FROM ARTISTS FOR HUMANITY'S 3D DESIGN STUDIO)15. NAICOB: "ACKNOWLEDGE + LISTEN: UNDOING COLONIAL DESIGN IN MASSACHUSETTS", 2022INTERACTIVE DESIGNTHE PROGRAM INTRODUCED DESIGNS THAT INVITE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND ARE INTENDED TO INCREASE INTERACTIVITY WITH FAMILY AND YOUTH COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH HANDS-ON ELEMENTS SUCH AS SWINGS, COMMUNITY SEATING, KALEIDOSCOPES, A NAUTICAL BELL, AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. ARTWORKS THAT INCORPORATED THESE INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INCLUDE YEAR OF THE DRAGON, 2024, SONG/LAND/SEA, 2024, BIG HOOPS TO FILL, 2025, AND PLANTABLE, 2025.
  4. $582,547 spent. OUTREACH -COMPLETED A FULL COMMUNICATIONS AUDIT, STRENGTHENING BRAND CONSISTENCY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND CROSS-DEPARTMENT MESSAGING ALIGNMENT.-LED A MAJOR GREENWAY PHOTOGRAPHY RFP, REVIEWING 100+ SUBMISSIONS, COORDINATING INCLUSIVE OUTREACH, AND MANAGING FINALIST SELECTION, INTERVIEWS, CONTRACTING, AND ONBOARDING.-DIRECTED, DESIGNED, AND EXECUTED THE MULTILINGUAL "EXPLORE" BANNER CAMPAIGN, FROM CONCEPT THROUGH INSTALLATION, ADVANCING LINGUISTIC ACCESSIBILITY AND SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SPONSOR LOGO INTEGRATION.-OVERSAW A COMPLETE VISUAL BRANDING REFRESH FOR THE GREENWAY AND CONSERVANCY, CREATING TEMPLATES FOR IN-HOUSE USE, LEADING TRAININGS, AND HOSTING STAFF SESSIONS TO EXPLAIN THE INTEGRATION OF NEW DESIGN ELEMENTS AND PROMOTE BRAND CONSISTENCY.-MANAGED THE CREATION OF THE PLAYWAY FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SUITEINCLUDING PRINTED MAP, STICKER SET, WINTER EDITION, SOCIAL CONTENT, WEBPAGE, AND BLOGEXPANDING SELF-GUIDED, FAMILY-FRIENDLY PARK EXPERIENCES.THE GREENWAY CONTINUES TO GROW AND EXPAND ITS PRESENCE WITHIN THE CITY OF BOSTON. EMBARKING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN UPDATED STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH WILL GUIDE ITS GROWTH AND IMPACT FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, IT IS EXPECTED THAT EACH YEAR WILL BRING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANSION AND COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL PARTNERS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.