Friends of the Monmouth County Park System Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE FRIENDS OF THE MONMOUTH COUNTY PARK SYSTEM, INC. IS A NON-PROFIT, VOLUNTARY MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION FORMED UNDER THE PERTINENT STATUES OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS CORPORATION IS TO ASSIST THE MONMOUTH COUNTY BOARD OF RECREATION COMMISSIONERS, THE MONMOUTH COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS, THE CITIZENS OF MONMOUTH COUNTY AND OTHER INTERESTED GROUPS IN MEETING THE OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES OF THE MONMOUTH COUNTY PARK SYSTEM. THIS INCLUDES RECREATIONAL, OPEN SPACE, HISTORICAL PRESERVATION, CONSERVATION, CULTURAL, HORTICULTURAL, AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMMING, SPECIFICALLY - TO INCREASE THE PARK SYSTEM'S VALUE THROUGH DONATION OF SERVICES, PROPERTY, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, SCHOLARSHIPS AND COORDINATION OF VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES; - TO ENHANCE EXISTING RESOURCES THROUGH FUNDING AND MANAGEMENT FOR BEAUTIFICATION, RESTORATION AND LIMITED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS; - TO OPERATE, MANAGE AND MAINTAIN FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS; - TO
- Income
- $281,808
- Spending
- $283,011
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 48.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 50
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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 48.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 68% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 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
7 of 7Has a 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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 (1)
- $262,948 spent. FOUNDED IN 1991, THE FRIENDS OF THE PARKS, A 501 (C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, FACILITATES SPONSORSHIP AND HOSTS FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES TO RAISE MONEY FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS IN THE PARKS. IN 2025, THIS INCLUDED: FUNDING FOR HISTORIC SITE IMPROVEMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS ARE VITAL TO KEEP HISTORY ALIVE. THE FRIENDS HAVE HIRED A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY TO BEGIN RENOVATIONS AT THE CARRIAGE HOUSE AT HISTORIC PORTLAND PLACE. ADDITIONAL FUNDING WAS PROVIDED TO HISTORIC LONGSTREET FARM FOR HISTORIC COSTUMES. PLUS, FUNDING WAS PROVIDED TO PURCHASE ARTIFACTS AND EXHIBIT ITEMS FOR THE PARK SYSTEMS COLLECTION. 64,747 BENCHES ARE SIGNIFICANT NOT ONLY TO THE AESTHETICS OF A PARK AND RESPITE FOR A VISITOR, BUT ALSO TO COMMEMORATE THE MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE. THIS HAS BECOME THE NUMBER ONE FUNDRAISER FOR THE FRIENDS. DURING THIS PAST YEAR, THE FRIENDS PLACED TWENTY-SIX MEMORIAL BENCHES IN THE FOLLOWING PARK AREAS: DEEP CUT GARDENS, DORBROOK RECREATION AREA, FISHERMANS COVE CONSERVATION AREA, HARTSHORNE WOODS PARK, HENNRY HUDSON TRAIL, HOLMDEL PARK, HOMINY HILL GOLF COURSE, HUBER WOODS PARK, SWIMMING RIVER PARK, THOMPSON PARK AND TURKEY SWAMP PARK. 50,989 THE FRIENDS WERE THRILLED TO OPEN THE BRAILLE TRAIL AT THE MANASQUAN RESERVOIR. THIS FIRST OF A KIND ENDEAVOR WAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COLTS NECK LIONS CLUB. IT FEATURES AN INTERACTIVE TRAIL EXHIBIT WITH CAST BRONZE WAYSIDE EXHIBITS, BRAILLE DESCRIPTIONS, AND AN AUTO COMPONENT. NEW JERSEY RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION (NJRPA) HAS SELECTED THE BRAILLE TRAIL FOR THEIR 2025 EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN AWARD. 14,395 IN ADDITION, THE FRIENDS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE RECREATION ASSISTANCE FUNDING FOR CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND PARK EXCURSIONS FOR THE URBAN RECREATION DIVISION AND COMMUNITY RECREATION DIVISION. FUNDING WAS ALSO PROVIDED FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAMS, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION AND TRAINING SEMINARS AND COURSES FOR PARK SYSTEM STAFF. 36,321 THE FRIENDS OF THE PARKS ARE PLEASED TO PROVIDE THIS SUPPORT FOR THE MONMOUTH COUNTY PARK SYSTEM. FOUNDED IN 1991, THE FRIENDS OF THE PARKS, A 501 (C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, FACILITATES SPONSORSHIP AND HOSTS FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES TO RAISE MONEY FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS IN THE PARKS. IN 2025, THIS INCLUDED: FUNDING FOR HISTORIC SITE IMPROVEMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS ARE VITAL TO KEEP HISTORY ALIVE. THE FRIENDS HAVE HIRED A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY TO BEGIN RENOVATIONS AT THE CARRIAGE HOUSE AT HISTORIC PORTLAND PLACE. ADDITIONAL FUNDING WAS PROVIDED TO HISTORIC LONGSTREET FARM FOR HISTORIC COSTUMES. PLUS, FUNDING WAS PROVIDED TO PURCHASE ARTIFACTS AND EXHIBIT ITEMS FOR THE PARK SYSTEMS COLLECTION. 64,747 BENCHES ARE SIGNIFICANT NOT ONLY TO THE AESTHETICS OF A PARK AND RESPITE FOR A VISITOR, BUT ALSO TO COMMEMORATE THE MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE. THIS HAS BECOME THE NUMBER ONE FUNDRAISER FOR THE FRIENDS. DURING THIS PAST YEAR, THE FRIENDS PLACED TWENTY-SIX MEMORIAL BENCHES IN THE FOLLOWING PARK AREAS: DEEP CUT GARDENS, DORBROOK RECREATION AREA, FISHERMANS COVE CONSERVATION AREA, HARTSHORNE WOODS PARK, HENNRY HUDSON TRAIL, HOLMDEL PARK, HOMINY HILL GOLF COURSE, HUBER WOODS PARK, SWIMMING RIVER PARK, THOMPSON PARK AND TURKEY SWAMP PARK. 50,989 THE FRIENDS WERE THRILLED TO OPEN THE BRAILLE TRAIL AT THE MANASQUAN RESERVOIR. THIS FIRST OF A KIND ENDEAVOR WAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COLTS NECK LIONS CLUB. IT FEATURES AN INTERACTIVE TRAIL EXHIBIT WITH CAST BRONZE WAYSIDE EXHIBITS, BRAILLE DESCRIPTIONS, AND AN AUTO COMPONENT. NEW JERSEY RECREATION AND PARKS ASSOCIATION (NJRPA) HAS SELECTED THE BRAILLE TRAIL FOR THEIR 2025 EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN AWARD. 14,395 IN ADDITION, THE FRIENDS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE RECREATION ASSISTANCE FUNDING FOR CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND PARK EXCURSIONS FOR THE URBAN RECREATION DIVISION AND COMMUNITY RECREATION DIVISION. FUNDING WAS ALSO PROVIDED FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION PROGRAMS, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION AND TRAINING SEMINARS AND COURSES FOR PARK SYSTEM STAFF. 36,321 THE FRIENDS OF THE PARKS ARE PLEASED TO PROVIDE THIS SUPPORT FOR THE MONMOUTH COUNTY PARK SYSTEM.
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
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 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 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 August 1992.
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.