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Friends of the Riverwalk Inc

EIN 20-3146250 · Tampa, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRIENDS OF THE RIVERWALK SUPPORTS THE EXPANSION, DEVELOPMENT, ACTIVATION, AND PROMOTION OF THE TAMPA RIVERWALK TO INCREASE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE WATERFRONT; IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY AND MOBILITY; CREATE INVITING, PEOPLE-ORIENTED EXPERIENCES; AND FOSTER A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY THROUGH PUBLIC SPACES, EVENTS, AND PROGRAMMING.

Income
$586,163
Spending
$458,745
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
17.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
4
Volunteers
324
Highest pay
$135,023, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 97% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (3)
  1. $30,877 spent. IN 2025, FRIENDS OF THE RIVERWALK PROMOTED THE TAMPA RIVERWALK THROUGH MULTIPLE PROGRAMS SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PLACEMAKING. THE CORPORATE BANNER PROGRAM FEATURED 188 BANNER SPACES ACROSS 107 LIGHT POLES, WITH 53 ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING, LEVERAGING ANNUAL RIVERWALK FOOT TRAFFIC EXCEEDING 2.1 MILLION VISITORS. THE SPECIALTY CUP PROGRAM ENABLED LICENSED VENDORS TO SELL BEVERAGES WITHIN A DESIGNATED OPEN-CONTAINER AREA, WITH 17 PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS CONTRIBUTING TO A VIBRANT, SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE. THE PAVING THE WAY PROGRAM RAISED VITAL FUNDS WHILE ENHANCING THE RIVERWALK'S IDENTITY THROUGH ENGRAVED GRANITE PAVERS; 210 CUSTOM PAVERS WERE INSTALLED IN 2025 TO COMMEMORATE INDIVIDUALS, MILESTONES, AND COMMUNITY PRIDE.
  2. $277,894 spent. IN 2025, FRIENDS OF THE RIVERWALK HOSTED FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS ALONG THE 2.6-MILE TAMPA RIVERWALK, INCLUDING TAMPA RIVERFEST, THE JULY 4TH BOAT PARADE & BLESSING OF THE FLEET, RIVERWALK TRICK-OR-TREAT, THE HOLIDAY HARBOUR TREE LIGHTING, THE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR, AND THE HOLIDAY LIGHTED BOAT PARADE. THESE EVENTS ATTRACTED MORE THAN 150,000 ATTENDEES AND WERE SUPPORTED BY OVER 100 LOCAL BUSINESS SPONSORS AND VENDORS, GENERATING ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HOSTED QUARTERLY RIVERWALK CLEANUPS, COLLECTING 144 BAGS AND 742 POUNDS OF TRASH TO MAINTAIN A CLEAN, SAFE, AND WELCOMING WATERFRONT.
  3. $34,147 spent. FRIENDS OF THE RIVERWALK PRODUCES THE TAMPA ATTRACTIONS & RIVERWALK BROCHURE, THE REGION'S LEADING VISITOR GUIDE, PUBLISHED TWICE ANNUALLY WITH A DISTRIBUTION EXCEEDING 150,000 COPIES STATEWIDE. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO MANAGES THE OFFICIAL TAMPA RIVERWALK WEBSITE, WHICH RECEIVES MORE THAN 400,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY, AND MAINTAINS ACTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS. IN ADDITION, FRIENDS OF THE RIVERWALK DISTRIBUTES THE WEEKLY RIVERWALK ROUNDUP NEWSLETTER TO MORE THAN 5,000 SUBSCRIBERS, ACHIEVING AN AVERAGE 50% OPEN RATE AND PROVIDING TIMELY INFORMATION ON RIVERWALK EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 January 2006.

    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.