Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Conservancy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO CREATE COMMUNITY VIBRANCY BY MAKING STRONG PARKS SUPERB. OUR VISION IS THAT EVERYONE HAS EQUITABLE ACCESS TO TRULY GREAT GREEN SPACES WHERE THEY FEEL WELCOMED, PURSUE WELLNESS AND FIND JOY.
- Income
- $709,879
- Spending
- $575,435
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 5.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 320
- Highest pay
- $130,451, executive di
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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 40% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 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
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 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 (5)
- COMMUNITY PARTNER FOR SAINT PAUL AREA PARKS: AS THE TRUSTED PARTNER OF BOTH COMMUNITY AND THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL PARKS THE CONSERVANCY ACTIVELY RAISES FUNDS AND LEADS PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE PARKS. TOGETHER WITH NONPROFIT PARTNERS FRIENDS OF THE PARKS AND TRAILS, GREAT RIVER PASSAGE CONSERVANCY, AND COMO FRIENDS, THE CONSERVANCY PILOTED SAINT PAUL'S FIRST "PARKSGIVING DAY" ON MAY 16 (THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST THREE PARKS TO BE PLATTED IN THE CITY). THIS CITY-WIDE CAMPAIGN DREW SIGNIFICANT MEDIA ATTENTION FOR A NEW WEBSITE THAT ALLOWED PARK FANS TO CONTRIBUTE TO MORE THAN 12 PROJECTS AND STEWARDSHIP GROUPS AROUND THE CITY, AS WELL AS DESIGNATE FUNDS FOR ANY PARK OR PROJECT OF THEIR CHOICE. IN 2024 FUNDS WERE SOUGHT, RAISED AND STEWARDED FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: - SUPPORT FOR FOUR NEIGHBORHOOD YOUTH FOOTBALL PROGRAMS -FUNDRAISING WORK FOR VICTORIA PARK FIELDS - HISTORIC IRVINE PARK FOUNTAIN AND THE SECOND FULL YEAR OF A CONCERT SERIES IN THE PARK COMMUNITY PARTNER FOR SAINT PAUL AREA PARKS: AS THE TRUSTED PARTNER OF BOTH COMMUNITY AND THE CITY OF SAINT PAUL PARKS THE CONSERVANCY ACTIVELY RAISES FUNDS AND LEADS PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE PARKS. TOGETHER WITH NONPROFIT PARTNERS FRIENDS OF THE PARKS AND TRAILS, GREAT RIVER PASSAGE CONSERVANCY, AND COMO FRIENDS, THE CONSERVANCY PILOTED SAINT PAUL'S FIRST "PARKSGIVING DAY" ON MAY 16 (THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST THREE PARKS TO BE PLATTED IN THE CITY). THIS CITY-WIDE CAMPAIGN DREW SIGNIFICANT MEDIA ATTENTION FOR A NEW WEBSITE THAT ALLOWED PARK FANS TO CONTRIBUTE TO MORE THAN 12 PROJECTS AND STEWARDSHIP GROUPS AROUND THE CITY, AS WELL AS DESIGNATE FUNDS FOR ANY PARK OR PROJECT OF THEIR CHOICE. IN 2024 FUNDS WERE SOUGHT, RAISED AND STEWARDED FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: - SUPPORT FOR FOUR NEIGHBORHOOD YOUTH FOOTBALL PROGRAMS -FUNDRAISING WORK FOR VICTORIA PARK FIELDS - HISTORIC IRVINE PARK FOUNTAIN AND THE SECOND FULL YEAR OF A CONCERT SERIES IN THE PARK
- EQUAL PLAY SAINT PAUL INITIATIVE: TO RESPOND TO THE LACK OF HIGH QUALITY PLAY OPPORTUNITIES IN SAINT PAUL'S HIGH NEED NEIGHBORHOODS, THE CONSERVANCY LAUNCHED AN INITIATIVE TO CREATE NEW PLAY AREAS, SPORT COURTS AND FIELDS ACROSS THE CITY. FOUR PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED FOR THIS INIATIVE: - NEW MULTI-PURPOSE SYNTHETIC FIELDS AT NORTH END COMMUNITY CENTER AND VICTORIA PARK - A NEW SOCCER FIELD AT HIGHWOOD HILLS REC CENTER - A NEW PLAYGROUND AT HAYDEN HEIGHTS REC CENTER
- THE CONSERVANCY ACTED AS PROJECT MANAGER FOR SEVERAL PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, INCLUDING: -SWEDE HOLLOW PARK: COMPLETED THE WOODLAND GARDEN, BEGAN THE ENGINEERING STUDY FOR IMPROVED ADA TRAIL ACCESS -STARTED CONSTRUCTION AND HOSTED THE GROUNDBREAKING FOR PEDRO PARK -REPLACED AND PLANTED NINE URNS ALONG THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED KELLOGG BOULEVARD MEDIAN AND BIKEWAY -COMPLETED THE RESTORATION OF COCHRAN PARK FOUNTAIN WITH RAMSEY HILL ASSOCIATION
- $450,719 spent. CAPACITY BUILDING. ACCORDING TO THE CITY PARKS ALLIANCE AND THE NATAIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PARK FOUNDATIONS (OF WHICH THE CONSERVANCY IS A MEMBER), CITY-WIDE PARK NONPROFITS TEND TO GROW SLOWLY OVER TIME AND EMPLOYEE A STAFF OF 4-15 FTES. IN 2024 THE CONSERVANCY HIRED ITS SECOND FULL TIME POSITION OF ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY WITH 18 YEARS OF EXECUTIVE AND FUNDRAISING EXPERIENCE AND SECURED THE SERVICES OF A PART- TIME GRANT WRITER WITH 30 YEARS OF PARK FUNDRAISING EXPERIENCE. TO SUPPORT THIS STAFF GROWTH, THE CONSERVANCY UPGRADED ITS DONOR MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE AND WEBSITE TO SUPPORT MONTHLY GIVING, MULTI-YEAR PLEDGES, GALA EVENTS, TEAM WALKS/RUNS AND PEER-TO-PEER FUNDRAISING. AFTER FOUR YEARS OF OPERATING WITH ONE FULL TIME STAFF POSITION SUPPORTED BY A BACK OFFICE CONTRACT WITH THE SAINT PAUL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THESE STEPS REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT NEW LEVEL OF OPERATION AND SUPPORT FOR PARKS. FINALLY, SIX NEW BOARD MEMBERS WERE ADDED IN JAN 2024. RICE PARK MANAGEMENT: THE CONSERVANCY PARTNERS WITH THE SAINT PAUL GARDEN CLUB AND RICE PARK ASSOCIATION TO OVERSEE THE LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE OF RICE PARK. THIS WORK INCLUDES MANAGING THE RICE PARK REVITALIZATION ENDOWMENT FUND AND CONTRACTING HORTICULTURAL SERVICES FOR THIS LANDMARK HISTORIC GREEN SPACE EXPERIENCED BY SIX MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY. IN 2024 THE CONSERVANCY CONTRACTED WEEKLY GARDEN AND TURF CARE SERVICES, COORDINATED FOUR ANNUAL PLANTING EVENTS WITH THE SAINT PAUL GARDEN CLUB. SERVED AS FISCAL AGENT AND ADVISOR/CONSULTANT FOR THESE NEIGHBORHOOD BASED VOLUNTEER GROUPS: FRIENDS OF WACOUTA COMMONS PARK, FRIENDS OF PEDRO PARK, FRIENDS OF MEARS PARK AND HISTORIC IRVINE PARK ASSOCATION. THE CONSERVANCY CONTRACTS ART CONSERVATORS AS NEEDED AND ADVISES PARKS STAFF ON CARE FOR ARTWORKS IN THE STATE'S SECOND LARGEST COLLECTION OF OUTDOOR ART HOUSED IN SAINT PAUL PARKS. IN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY CARRIED OUT CONSERVATION WORK ON THE F. SCOTT FITZGERALD SCULPTURE AT RICE PARK AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL WORK AT THE DUCK BENCH AT MARYDALE PARK. THE CONSERVANCY ALSO MANAGES PROGRAMS TO ADD AND DEDICATE TREES AND BENCHES IN SAINT PAUL PARKS, AS WELL AS A PROGRAM TO SPONSOR SCULPTURES COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR TOP OFFICIAL: STARTING COMPENSATION WAS SET IN 2020 WITH THE CONSULTANTS HIRED TO CONDUCT THE SEARCH AND HIRE PROCESS, INCLUDING A SURVEY OF COMPENSATION FOR SIMILAR POSITIONS LOCALLY, REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY. THE BOARD SETS ANNUAL GOALS FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTS AN ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW, MANAGED BY THE BOARD PRESIDENT. COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS FOR COST OF LIVING AND MERIT ARE DISCUSSED AND APPROVED BY THE FULL BOARD. VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT: -SUPPORTED 200 GARDEN STEWARDS WHO TEND 42 GARDENS THROUGH FOURTEEN PLANTING EVENTS -PARTNERED WITH THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND TO CONVENE A COHORT OF 12 "FRIENDS OF" PARK GROUPS TO STRENGTHEN THE PRIVATE STEWARDSHIP OF PARKS ACROSS THE CITY. -COORDINATED AND/OR CO-SPONSORED FOUR VOLUNTEER EVENTS (BUCKTHORN REMOVAL, INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL AND WEEDING, TRASH PICK-UPS) THAT ENGAGED 80 VOLUNTEERS IN THREE PARKS -RECOGNZED FOURTEEN VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR AT THE SIGNATURE CELEBRATION "PARTY FOR THE PARKS" - AS PART OF THE CITY-WIDE PARKS AND REC VOLUNTEER AWARDS, MAJOR MEDIA COVERAGE IN BOTH TWIN CITIES DAILY PAPERS, WCCO RADIO AND TV, KARE 11 TV AND FOX 9 NEWS EARNED MORE THAN 600,000 "HITS" FOR THESE AMAZING VOLUNTEERS. ADDITIONALLY, FOUR PARK VOLUNTEERS WERE INTERVIEWED AND RECOGNIZED BY MEDIA OUTLETS IN RELATED STORIES.
- CAPACITY BUILDING. ACCORDING TO THE CITY PARKS ALLIANCE AND THE NATAIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PARK FOUNDATIONS (OF WHICH THE CONSERVANCY IS A MEMBER), CITY-WIDE PARK NONPROFITS TEND TO GROW SLOWLY OVER TIME AND EMPLOYEE A STAFF OF 4-15 FTES. IN 2024 THE CONSERVANCY HIRED ITS SECOND FULL TIME POSITION OF ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY WITH 18 YEARS OF EXECUTIVE AND FUNDRAISING EXPERIENCE AND SECURED THE SERVICES OF A PART- TIME GRANT WRITER WITH 30 YEARS OF PARK FUNDRAISING EXPERIENCE. TO SUPPORT THIS STAFF GROWTH, THE CONSERVANCY UPGRADED ITS DONOR MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE AND WEBSITE TO SUPPORT MONTHLY GIVING, MULTI-YEAR PLEDGES, GALA EVENTS, TEAM WALKS/RUNS AND PEER-TO-PEER FUNDRAISING. AFTER FOUR YEARS OF OPERATING WITH ONE FULL TIME STAFF POSITION SUPPORTED BY A BACK OFFICE CONTRACT WITH THE SAINT PAUL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THESE STEPS REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT NEW LEVEL OF OPERATION AND SUPPORT FOR PARKS. FINALLY, SIX NEW BOARD MEMBERS WERE ADDED IN JAN 2024. RICE PARK MANAGEMENT: THE CONSERVANCY PARTNERS WITH THE SAINT PAUL GARDEN CLUB AND RICE PARK ASSOCIATION TO OVERSEE THE LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE OF RICE PARK. THIS WORK INCLUDES MANAGING THE RICE PARK REVITALIZATION ENDOWMENT FUND AND CONTRACTING HORTICULTURAL SERVICES FOR THIS LANDMARK HISTORIC GREEN SPACE EXPERIENCED BY SIX MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY. IN 2024 THE CONSERVANCY CONTRACTED WEEKLY GARDEN AND TURF CARE SERVICES, COORDINATED FOUR ANNUAL PLANTING EVENTS WITH THE SAINT PAUL GARDEN CLUB. SERVED AS FISCAL AGENT AND ADVISOR/CONSULTANT FOR THESE NEIGHBORHOOD BASED VOLUNTEER GROUPS: FRIENDS OF WACOUTA COMMONS PARK, FRIENDS OF PEDRO PARK, FRIENDS OF MEARS PARK AND HISTORIC IRVINE PARK ASSOCATION. THE CONSERVANCY CONTRACTS ART CONSERVATORS AS NEEDED AND ADVISES PARKS STAFF ON CARE FOR ARTWORKS IN THE STATE'S SECOND LARGEST COLLECTION OF OUTDOOR ART HOUSED IN SAINT PAUL PARKS. IN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY CARRIED OUT CONSERVATION WORK ON THE F. SCOTT FITZGERALD SCULPTURE AT RICE PARK AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL WORK AT THE DUCK BENCH AT MARYDALE PARK. THE CONSERVANCY ALSO MANAGES PROGRAMS TO ADD AND DEDICATE TREES AND BENCHES IN SAINT PAUL PARKS, AS WELL AS A PROGRAM TO SPONSOR SCULPTURES COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR TOP OFFICIAL: STARTING COMPENSATION WAS SET IN 2020 WITH THE CONSULTANTS HIRED TO CONDUCT THE SEARCH AND HIRE PROCESS, INCLUDING A SURVEY OF COMPENSATION FOR SIMILAR POSITIONS LOCALLY, REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY. THE BOARD SETS ANNUAL GOALS FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTS AN ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW, MANAGED BY THE BOARD PRESIDENT. COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS FOR COST OF LIVING AND MERIT ARE DISCUSSED AND APPROVED BY THE FULL BOARD. VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT: -SUPPORTED 200 GARDEN STEWARDS WHO TEND 42 GARDENS THROUGH FOURTEEN PLANTING EVENTS -PARTNERED WITH THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND TO CONVENE A COHORT OF 12 "FRIENDS OF" PARK GROUPS TO STRENGTHEN THE PRIVATE STEWARDSHIP OF PARKS ACROSS THE CITY. -COORDINATED AND/OR CO-SPONSORED FOUR VOLUNTEER EVENTS (BUCKTHORN REMOVAL, INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL AND WEEDING, TRASH PICK-UPS) THAT ENGAGED 80 VOLUNTEERS IN THREE PARKS -RECOGNZED FOURTEEN VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR AT THE SIGNATURE CELEBRATION "PARTY FOR THE PARKS" - AS PART OF THE CITY-WIDE PARKS AND REC VOLUNTEER AWARDS, MAJOR MEDIA COVERAGE IN BOTH TWIN CITIES DAILY PAPERS, WCCO RADIO AND TV, KARE 11 TV AND FOX 9 NEWS EARNED MORE THAN 600,000 "HITS" FOR THESE AMAZING VOLUNTEERS. ADDITIONALLY, FOUR PARK VOLUNTEERS WERE INTERVIEWED AND RECOGNIZED BY MEDIA OUTLETS IN RELATED STORIES.
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
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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 March 2009.
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 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.