Friends of Radnor Lake
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SUPPORT PROTECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND IMPROVEMENT OF RADNOR LAKE STATE NATURAL AREA-ITS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, HABITAT, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT AND TO EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE AREA.
- Income
- $4.6 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 5.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 1,000
- Highest pay
- $94,583, director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 52% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 247% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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
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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 June 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 (4)
- $1.7 million spent. ONGOING SUPPORT FOR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS AT RADNOR LAKE STATE NATURAL AREA WHICH ARE NOT FUNDED BY THE STATE.FRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE FUNDS THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AT RADNOR LAKE WHICH ENGAGED OVER 1,000 VOLUNTEERS IN THE FISCAL YEAR. VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT INCLUDES INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS, AND SCHOOL, CHURCH AND CIVIC GROUPS. VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE CRITICAL ASSISTANCE IN TRAIL MAINTENANCE, RECOVERY FROM STORM DAMAGE, INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL AND WETLANDS CLEAN-UP THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IN ADDITION, VOLUNTEERS ENGAGE IN NOTABLE VOLUNTEER EVENTS INCLUDING WORLD WETLANDS DAY, INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL WEEK, WEED WRANGLE, NATIONAL TRAILS DAY, NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY AND INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN DAY. PARK STAFF MANAGE ALL VOLUNTEERS ON PARK PROPERTY AND PROVIDE EDUCATION ABOUT THE NATURAL AREA AND HOW TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT.JUNIOR RANGERS INTERN PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN HOSTED EVERY SUMMER FOR THE LAST 23 YEARS, ENGAGING TEENAGERS IN A SIX-DAY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WHICH INTRODUCES THEM TO CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES. DAILY WORK INCLUDES TRAIL MULCHING, MAINTENANCE PROJECTS WITHIN THE PARK AND AT THE BARBARA J. MAPP AVIARY EDUCATION CENTER, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ELEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. AGAIN THIS YEAR, INTERNS ENJOYED A DAY OF BIRD WATCHING/IDENTIFICATION EDUCATION. RIVER CLEAN-UP ON THE DUCK RIVER WAS INCLUDED IN THE CURRICULUM WHEN WEATHER PERMITTED, PROVIDING EDUCATION ON INDIVIDUALS' IMPACTS ON WATER QUALITY AND PROTECTION OF AQUATIC SPECIES.FRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE HELPS FUND THE NATIVE GRASSLANDS INITIATIVE, A LONG-TERM NATURAL AREAS PLAN TO REMOVE INVASIVE-EXOTIC PLANTS IN TARGET AREAS AND PLANT A CUSTOM SEED MIX TO RESTORE THE NATIVE GRASSES THAT EXISTED AT RADNOR LAKE STATE NATURAL AREA 50 YEARS AGO. THESE NATIVE GRASSES ATTRACT AND SUSTAIN POLLINATORS AND BUTTERFLIES, AND WE HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF THE POLLINATOR POPULATION IN THESE REPLANTED AREAS IN RECENT YEARS. WE HAVE BEEN ESPECIALLY INTERESTED AND SUCCESSFUL IN REPLANTING AND ATTRACTING MONARCH BUTTERFLIES WHICH ARE CONSIDERED A VULNERABLE SPECIES. THE ORIGINAL GOAL IN RADNOR LAKE STATE PARK'S STRATEGIC LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN WAS TO CONVERT AT LEAST 40 ACRES OF THE PARK TO NATIVE GRASSLANDS. DUE TO THE ECOLOGICAL SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM, WE HAVE SUPPORTED EXPANDED WORK IN THIS AREA, RESULTING IN THE PARK CONVERTING JUST OVER 150 ACRES.THE BARBARA J. MAPP AVIARY EDUCATION CENTER (BJMAEC) OPENED AT RADNOR IN 2015. FRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE RAISED THE FUNDS TO BUILD THIS FACILITY AND MADE A COMMITMENT TO SUSTAIN THE EAGLE PROGRAM. AT THE BJMAEC, PARK STAFF CARE FOR SEVEN NON-RELEASEABLE BIRDS OF PREY THAT HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS EDUCATION ANIMALS DUE TO PERMANENT INJURIES. THESE RAPTORS, WHICH COULD NOT SURVIVE IN THE WILD, ARE USED FOR EDUCATION EXPERIENCES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC, WITH INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE THE TWO DAYS A WEEK WHEN THE AREA IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE FACILITY, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS ARE NOW INCLUDED IN OUR INVESTMENT IN THIS PROGRAM.THIS YEAR, WE CELEBRATED THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BARBARA J. MAPP AVIARY EDUCATION CENTER. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RADNOR LAKE STATE PARK LEADERSHIP, WE OUTLINED A FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT PLAN, AND INITIATED A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THESE GOALS. WE RAISED FUNDING TO DEMOLISH AN UNINHABITABLE RESIDENCE ON PARK PROPERTY IN PREPARATION FOR A MORE ACCESSIBLE DRIVEWAY APPROACH TO THE AVIARY, AND HAVE PERFORMED MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES TO THE BOARDWALK AND RAPTOR ENCLOSURES. ADDITIONAL PROJECTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED TO BE COMPLETED AS FUNDING IS SECURED.
- $252,106 spent. SUPPORT THE PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL AREA IN AND SURROUNDING RADNOR LAKE STATE NATURAL AREA THROUGH IDENTIFICATION OF LAND ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES THAT MEET OUR CRITERIA WHICH INCLUDES VIEWSHED, WATERSHED, WILDLIFE AND PLANT LIFE PROTECTION, PARK SECURITY AND HIKING EXPERIENCE. IN FY 2025, FRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE PURCHASED ONE ACRE OF VIEWSHED-WATERSHED PROPERTY AND TRANSITIONED THIS PARCEL FROM RESIDENTIAL TO NATIVE GRASSLANDS. FRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE ALSO COMPLETED 9-ACRE LAND ACQUISITION WHICH REMAINS IN OUR POSSESSION.
- $32,146 spent. PROVIDE EDUCATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES, PARK ACTIVITIES, VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND SPONSORED PROJECTS THROUGH PRINT AND ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS, WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA, AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS. PARK ACTIVITIES DURING THE YEAR INCLUDE BIRDING AND WILDFLOWER HIKES, OFF-TRAIL GUIDED HIKES AND WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TOURS, HIKES WITH OUR RESEARCH TEAMS, AND CELEBRATIONS OF WORLD WETLANDS DAY, RACHEL CARSON DAY, NATIONAL TRAILS DAY, AMERICAN EAGLE DAY, NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY AND INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN DAY. ALL PARK ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED BY FRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE ARE MANAGED BY RADNOR LAKE PARK STAFF.
- SUPPORT THE PROTECTION OF THE NATURAL AREA IN AND SURROUNDING RADNOR LAKE STATE NATURAL AREA THROUGH IDENTIFICATION OF LAND ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES THAT MEET OUR CRITERIA WHICH INCLUDES VIEWSHED, WATERSHED, WILDLIFE AND PLANT LIFE PROTECTION, PARK SECURITY AND HIKING EXPERIENCE. IN FY 2025, FRIENDS OF RADNOR LAKE PURCHASED TWO PROPERTIES. ONE 2.99 ACRE LOT WAS PURCHASED TO SUPPORT THE HARRIS RIDGE TRAIL PROJECT AND ONE 8.45 ACRE LOT ADJACENT TO THE PARK WAS PROTECTED FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 November 1973.
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.