Regional Parks Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE BROADER PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT'S 73 REGIONAL PARKS, 1,250 MILES OF TRAILS, AND 55 MILES OF SHORELINE SPANNING ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTIES. THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION UNDERSTANDS THAT CONNECTIONS WITH NATURE ARE CRITICAL FOR LEADING A HEALTHY AND BALANCED LIFE, WHICH IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND ITS STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO INCREASING ACCESS TO REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAILS FOR UNDERSERVED AND UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES IN THE EAST BAY. ACCESS FOR ALL IS THE OVERARCHING GOAL OF THE FOUNDATION, WHICH IT ACHIEVES THROUGH ITS KEY FUNDING SUPPORT AREAS OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT; HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY; ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP; AND THE ACQUISITION OF PARKLANDS. IN ADDITION TO FUNDRAISING ON BEHALF OF THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT'S PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND RESOURCE PROTECTION PROJECTS, THE FOUNDATION ALSO HOLDS AND INVESTS FUNDS FOR FUTURE USE BY THE PARK DISTRICT. THROUGH A V
- Income
- $3.8 million
- Spending
- $3.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 103 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 74%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $229,897, executive dir.
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
Strong: 95 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 103.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 95 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 16 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.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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)
- $2.3 million spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: THE FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING MORE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN LEARN FROM AND ENJOY LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES IN THE PARKS. THROUGH HANDS-ON SCIENCE EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR SKILLS, WE INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS. OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS GIVE LOCAL STUDENTS THE CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND CONNECT WITH NATURE IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS, HELPING THEM BECOME THE PARK STEWARDS OF TOMORROWHEALTH, WELLNESS & SAFETY: SPENDING TIME IN NATURE BOOSTS BOTH OUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING. THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION SUPPORTS HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES BY HELPING PEOPLE GET OUTDOORS AND STAY ACTIVE. WE PROVIDE EVERYTHING FROM WATER SAFETY PROGRAMS AND TRAIL GEAR TO RESCUE EQUIPMENT, GIVING PARK VISITORS AND STAFF THE TOOLS AND CONFIDENCE THEY NEED TO SAFELY ENJOY OUR PARKS AND RECREATIONAL SPACES. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: AS EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES CONTINUE TO SHAPE OUR WORLD, THE FOUNDATION WORKS TO PROTECT HABITATS AND WILDLIFE SO THEY CAN NOT ONLY SURVIVE BUT THRIVE. WE INVEST IN AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, EDUCATION, AND STEWARDSHIP EFFORTS TO KEEP NATURAL HABITATS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL. UNIVERSAL ACCESS: AT THE FOUNDATION, WE BELIEVE PARKS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. OUR GOAL IS TO REMOVE BARRIERS AND CREATE A WELCOMING SPACE FOR ALL BY SUPPORTING PROGRAMS THAT REACH HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND REFLECT THE EAST BAYS RICH DIVERSITY. WE PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR SCHOOL GROUPS AND TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR PARK PROGRAMS. WE ALSO OFFER ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES, COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL LIBRARIES ON THE BACKPACKS TO PARKS INITIATIVE, AND PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND FREE MEMBERSHIPS TO THOSE IN NEED. THESE EFFORTS HELP MAKE PARK VISITS MORE AFFORDABLE AND OFFER MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES THAT CREATE LASTING CONNECTIONS. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR THE PARKS THROUGH ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONS MANY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. PARTNER WITH US TO KEEP PARKS ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL AND TO PROTECT WILDLIFE AND OPEN SPACE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1969.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.