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Civic Center Conservancy

EIN 20-2214279 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CIVIC CENTER CONSERVANCY IS DEDICATED TO KEEPING DENVERS CIVIC CENTER PARK ACTIVE AND THRIVING FOR ALL. AS AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT, THE CONSERVANCY ENGAGES INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS AS CHAMPIONS FOR THIS ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SPACE. CIVIC CENTER CONSERVANCYS WORK BENEFITS THE PARK, THE PEOPLE WHO USE THE PARK AND THE FUTURE OF THE PARK.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
9
Volunteers
577
Highest pay
$161,103, executive di

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 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 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $469,230 spent. FOR THE PEOPLE - THE CONSERVANCY SERVES AS THE PARK'S COMMUNITY BUILDER, ACTIVATING THE SPACE & PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGEMENT YEAR-ROUND. THE CONSERVANCY ENGAGES SMALL BUSINESSES, NEIGHBORING CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS, ARTS ORGANIZATIONS & OTHER LOCAL GROUPS IN BRINGING DIVERSE VOICES & AUDIENCES TO THE PARK. IMPACT: COMMUNITY BUILDING, ACCESS AND ACCESSIBILITY PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES: EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS, CIVIC CENTER EATS (FOOD TRUCKS), NIGHT MARKET, DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, INDEPENDENCE EVE, CONCERTS, SUPPORT AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS.
  2. $234,614 spent. FOR THE FUTURE - SPACES LIKE CIVIC CENTER PARK REQUIRE A CARETAKER WHO IS CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE WHO USE THE PARK, WHO ADVOCATES FOR IMPROVEMENTS & WHO TRANSFORMS THE SPACE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ANYONE WHO GATHERS THERE TODAY & LONG INTO THE FUTURE. THE CONSERVANCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SHAPING THE VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE PARK, COORDINATING CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE CITY LEADERS & THOSE WHO USE THE PARK EVERY DAY, & ADVOCATING FOR PUBLIC & PRIVATE INVESTMENT NEEDED TO KEEP THIS SPACE THRIVING. IMPACT: PARTNERSHIP, ADVOCACY, FUTURE INVESTMENT PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES: CIVIC CENTER NEXT 100, ADVOCATING FOR ADDITIONAL PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN THE PARK, CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, ADVOCATING FOR CIVIC CENTER IN THE COMMUNITY AND MEDIA.
  3. $234,614 spent. FOR THE PARK - THE CONSERVANCY SUPPORTS THE PARK'S UPKEEP BY RAISING FUNDS TO RESTORE ITS HISTORICAL STRUCTURES, ENHANCE ITS NATURAL SPACES & ADVOCATE FOR INVESTMENT IN THIS ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SPACE. THE CITY TAKES CARE OF THE BASIC NEEDS OF THE GROUNDS, WHILE WE STEP IN TO FILL THE GAPS & ENSURE THE PARK REFLECTS THE PEOPLE & THE SPIRIT OF THE CITY. IMPACT: WELCOME, BEAUTIFUL AND CLEAN PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES: CIVIC CENTER SPARKLES (VOLUNTEERS), CIVIC CENTER WORKS (SUPPLEMENTAL MAINTENANCE).

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 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 December 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 November 2005.

    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.

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.