Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Urbana Parks Foundation

EIN 26-0629385 · Urbana, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2007 TO HELP MEET THE GROWING NEED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORT BY RAISING FUNDS FOR URBANA PARK DISTRICT (UPD) ACTIVITIES. UPF SEEKS DONATIONS FROM PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF PARKS OR PROGRAMS NOT JUST FOR THEIR IMMEDIATE ESTHETIC OR ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE, BUT FOR THE IMPACT THEY CAN HAVE ON FUTURE GENERATIONS. OUR SPONSORS AND DONORS PROVIDE GENEROUS FINANCIAL AND IN-KIND ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS CONTRIBUTING IN WAYS THAT BENEFIT THE GREATER URBANA-CHAMPAIGN COMMUNITY.

Income
$493,451
Spending
$345,741
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-14.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (4)
  1. $151,812 spent. HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTERTHE URBANA PARKS FOUNDATION WAS PROUD TO DISTRIBUTE OVER $150,000 TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE URBANA PARK DISTRICT'S NEW HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER IN 2024. THE HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER IS A FACILITY OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE INDOOR RECREATION OPTIONS INCLUDING AN INDOOR WALKING TRACK, TWO FULL COURT BASKETBALL COURTS, EXERCISE EQUIPMENT ROOM, GROUP FITNESS SPACE, AND A COMMUNITY GATHERING ROOM.
  2. $122,629 spent. PRAIRIEPLAY PLAYGROUND AT MEADOWBROOK PARKTHE URBANA PARKS FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTED $122,629 TO ASSIST WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW, INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND AT MEADOWBROOK PARK.
  3. $5,500 spent. YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPSTHE URBANA PARKS FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTED $5,500 TO THE URBANA PARK DISTRICT TO BE USED FOR THEIR YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO HELP FAMILIES FACING FINANCIAL BARRIERS AFFORD PROGRAMS AND FACILITY MEMBERSHIPS.
  4. $21,042 spent. TO ASSIST WITH PROVIDING PARK PROGRAMS AND ITEMS.

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

  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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 April 2008.

    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 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.