Boulder County Parks and Open Space Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE PARKS & OPEN SPACE FOUNDATION STRENGTHENS THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE BOULDER COUNTY PARKS & OPEN SPACE DEPARTMENT BY RAISING PRIVATE FUNDS, SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE PROJECTS, FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS AND INCREASING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.
- Income
- $89,213
- Spending
- $281,060
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 18.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 0
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
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 215% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 39% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $274,080 spent. THE BOULDER COUNTY PARKS & OPEN SPACE FOUNDATION IS PLEASED TO REPORT THE PROVISION OF FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS IN 2024: - 3,400 TO CONTINUE PARK RANGER OUTREACH TO THE SAN LAZARO COMMUNITY IN BOULDER TO LEAD OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS. FOR MANY FAMILIES, THIS WAS THEIR FIRST EXPOSURE TO OPEN SPACE. - 9,175 TO FUND AND TRAIN A SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG MANAGED BY A PARKS RANGER . ----------------- MORE DETAIL ON SCHEDULE O ---------------------
- MORE PROJECTS INCLUDED: - CSU EXTENSION: PURCHASE APPROXIMATELY 5,000 NATIVE PLANTS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO BOULDER COUNTY COMMUNITIES IN THE "PLANT MOBILE". 2,263 - CSU EXTENSION: MATERIAL AND LABOR TO CONSTRUCT ADA ACCESSIBLE RAISED GARDEN BEDS AT THE CSU EXTENSION COMMUNITY GARDEN. 25,000 - INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S CHURCH: ENHANCE CEREMONIAL SPACE AT THE POS OWNED FORMER RAINBOW NURSERY BY BUILDING A GAZEBO AND PURCHASING STORAGE CONTAINERS TO PROTECT BLANKETS AND OTHER SACRED ITEMS. 7,000 - HARVEST OF ALL FIRST NATIONS: 2ND YEAR OF FUNDING FOR THE ANNUAL CORN FESTIVAL AND FOOD JUSTICE AND SOVEREIGNTY (FJS) PROGRAM TO GROW AND DISTRIBUTE TRADITIONAL FOOD TO BIPOC+ COMMUNITIES. 60,000 - EXPLORANDOS SENDEROS: 3RD YEAR OF FUNDING OUTREACH TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO INCREASE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ON OPEN SPACE. 30,000 - NIWOT CULTURAL ARTS ASSOCIATION: CREATE PERMANENT, WEATHER-PROTECTED SITE FOR 3 ICONIC TREE CARVINGS BY THE LATE NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIST EDDIE RUNNING WOLF. 25,000
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
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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on February 15, 2012.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 November 2012.
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 October 21, 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.