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Friends of Grand Rapids Parks

EIN 26-1406547 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO CULTIVATE VIBRANT PARKS, GREEN SPACES, AND TREES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 74%
Employees
28
Volunteers
1,666
Highest pay
$120,315, executive director

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (2)
  1. $614,908 spent. THE URBAN FOREST PROJECT (UFP) IS PROGRAM OF FRIENDS OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS THAT WORKS TO ENGAGE CITIZENS TO HELP ADD TO THE 2011 GREEN GRAND RAPIDS AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S MASTER PLAN TO ESTABLISH A 40% TREE CANOPY GOAL IN GRAND RAPIDS. THE PROJECT COLLABORATES WITH THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS FORESTRY DEPARTMENT TO INVOLVE NEIGHBORS IN EXPANDING THE URBAN TREE CANOPY. IN ORDER TO HELP REACH THE 40% CANOPY COVER GOAL WE PROVIDE NEIGHBORS WITH TREE-PLANTING RESOURCES IN UNDERSERVED PUBLIC AREAS, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO ENCOURAGE TREE PLANTING, AND OFFER MINI GRANT AND OTHER TREE PLANTING OPPORTUNITIES. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP NEIGHBORS UNDERSTAND THAT TREES PROVIDE MYRIAD BENEFITS, LIKE LEAD ABATEMENT, STORM WATER MANAGEMENT, REDUCTION IN THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT, AND PROVIDE HABITAT FOR MANY ANIMALS. OUR EXPLORE YOUR PARKS PROGRAM IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE FRIENDS OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS AND THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS TO RECLAIM AND SUSTAIN PARKS THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM AND SPONSORSHIP. OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS REPRESENTED BY RESIDENTS AND GROUPS. COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IS CRITICAL TO CREATING A GREAT PARK SYSTEM WITH ONGOING SUPPORT. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ESSENTIAL SO THAT WE CAN EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHY PARKS ARE VITAL FOR INCREASING QUALITY OF LIFE BY PROVIDING PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, AND SOCIAL ELEMENTS THAT IMPACT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY WE PROMOTE WHY PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES ARE ESSENTIAL GATHERING PLACES THAT ADD TO THE HEALTH OF OUR CITIZENS AND THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.
  2. $473,233 spent. PARKS AND TREE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY AND EVENTS - FRIENDS OF GR PARKS HOSTS OVER 60+ SPECIAL EVENTS TO BUILD COMMUNITY AND ENGAGE NEIGHBORS THROUGH PARKS AND TREES. OUR VOLUNTEERS GATHER TO SPRUCE-UP PARKS OR PLANT AND MAINTAIN TREES. THESE OPPORTUNITIES ALLOW BOTH SEASONED AND NOVICE FGRP VOLUNTEERS TO GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH OUR PARKS AND FORESTRY TOOLS. AS PART OF A COMMITMENT TO ENGAGING COMMUNITY AROUND ADVOCACY FOR PARKS, FRIENDS OF GR PARKS COLLABORATES WITH GR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER TO GIVE INPUT ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN PARKS OUTLINED IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION 5-YEAR MASTER PLAN. THROUGH OUR WORK, WE BRING TOGETHER THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP THE ACTIVATION, ADVOCACY, AND VOLUNTEERISM MOMENTUM GOING IN OUR GREEN SPACES.OUR PROGRAMS ARE ESSENTIAL SO THAT WE CAN EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHY PARKS ARE VITAL FOR INCREASING QUALITY OF LIFE BY PROVIDING PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, AND SOCIAL ELEMENTS THAT IMPACT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY WE PROMOTE WHY PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES ARE ESSENTIAL GATHERING PLACES THAT ADD TO THE HEALTH OF OUR CITIZENS AND THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. OUR PARKS CREATE A BACKYARD FOR MANY WHO MAY NOT HAVE ONE. PARKS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN ONE COMMON SPACE TO UNIFY IN GRIEF, PROTEST, OR CELEBRATION. THROUGH OUR WORK, WE BRING TOGETHER THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITY'S PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO KEEP THE ACTIVATION, ADVOCACY, AND VOLUNTEERISM MOMENTUM GOING. FRIENDS FOCUSES ON CREATING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES THAT HELP TO CREATE PARK AND TREE ADVOCATES, ORGANIZE MORE VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND VIBRANT PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES.

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

  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 December 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 May 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 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.