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Forest Preserve Foundation Inc

EIN 26-2497213 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FOREST PRESERVE FOUNDATION IS TO ENGAGE IN PROTECTING AND RESTORING THE TREASURED NATURAL HABITATS WITHIN THE FOREST PRESERVE OF COOK COUNTY AND TO ENHANCE OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES OF ALL COMMUNITIES.WE WILL DO THIS BY ENCOURAGING AND ADMINISTERING PRIVATE GIFTS TO FURTHER THE FOREST PRESERVES' MISSION AND GOALS.

Income
$520,535
Spending
$520,026
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
4
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$154,212, president

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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 36 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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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 (1)
  1. $263,496 spent. DIRECT SUPPORT OF PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH THE MISSION OF THE FOREST PRESERVE FOUNDATION.REPRESENTATIVE GRANTS TO FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY FOR THE INCLUDE:CHICAGO CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP CORPS PROGRAM (CCLC)-A CONSERVATION CORPS PROGRAM OF THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY FOR HIGH SCHOOL AGE STUDENTS. FPDCC WILL ENGAGE 40 YOUTH, AGES 14-19 YEARS OLD, IN PAID EMPLOYMENT TO CONDUCT HANDS-ON CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES AND LEARN BASIC JOB SKILLS IN THE FIVE-WEEK SUMMER JOBS PROGRAMS. YOUTH WILL CONTRIBUTE A MINIMUM OF 3,000 HOURS OF ON-THE-GROUND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION, TRAIL IMPROVEMENT OR GARDENING WORK AND RECEIVE A MINIMUM OF 30 HOURS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND NATURE-BASED RECREATION EXPERIENCES. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE RECRUITED FROM THROUGHOUT COOK COUNTY. THE PROGRAM IS MANAGED BY THE FOREST PRESERVES OF COOK COUNTY, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. ($50,000THE FOREST PRESERVE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM (FPE) -A CONSERVATION CORPS PROGRAM OF THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY THIS IS A FIVE-WEEK SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES PAID EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE FAMILIES UTILIZE THE SERVICES OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF COOK COUNTY. FPDCC WILL ENGAGE 72 YOUTH IN THE FOREST PRESERVE EXPERIENCE WHO WILL CONTRIBUTE A MINIMUM OF 2,000 UP TO 2,800 HOURS OF ON-THE-GROUND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION WORK, WHICH INCLUDES MANAGING INVASIVE SPECIES, COLLECTING AND DISPERSING NATIVE SEED, AND RECEIVE A MINIMUM OF 30 HOURS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND NATURE-BASED RECREATION EXPERIENCES. ($20,000)CLIMATE AND POLLINATOR RESILIENCE THROUGH NATIVE SEED AMPLIFICATION PROGRAM - TO INSTALL NATIVE SEED BEDS AND A WILD SEED GARDEN THAT WILL GROW REGION-SPECIFIC PLANTS TO INCREASE SEED STOCK THAT ARE CRITICAL TO SUCCESSFUL RESTORATION PROJECTS. VOLUNTEERS WILL HELP TO CARE FOR AND MAINTAIN THE SEED BEDS. THE PROGRAM WILL ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES:* INSTALL REGION-SPECIFIC NATIVE SEED BEDS AT SALT CREEK RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FACILITY IN WESTERN SPRINGS* INSTALL SEEDLINGS IN A WILD SEED GARDEN NEAR SKOKIE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BUILDING ALONG THE NORTH BRANCH TRAIL.* INSTALL TEMPORARY SIGNAGE AT BOTH SITES PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIVE PLANTS AND LINKING TO THE FOREST PRESERVES CONSERVATION@HOME PROGRAM. * PARTNER WITH THE CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, VOLUNTEERS, AND CONSERVATION CORPS MEMBERS TO HELP CARE FOR BOTH THE WILD SEED GARDEN AND THE NATIVE SEED BEDS.* PLANT AND GROW COMMON SEEDS, MOSTLY NATIVE GRASSES, AS WELL AS RARER FORBS WHOSE SEEDS ARE DIFFICULT TO COLLECT AND OBTAIN. (9,000)VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION PROGRAM - A GRANT TO THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF COOK COUNTY TO SUPPORT FOR THE VOLUNTEER RESOURCES DEPARTMENTS 2024 VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES FOR MOTOROLA AND PARKER HANNIFIN CORPORATIONS. ($2,250)

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2010.

    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 February 2013.

    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.