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Friends Charleston National Parks

EIN 31-1755700 · Charleston, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FRIENDS OF CHARLESTON NATIONAL PARKS IS TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE IN PROMOTING AND PROTECTING LOCAL HISTORIC CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THEIR SIGNIFICANCE AS NATIONAL TREASURES

Income
$117,571
Spending
$92,440
Reserves
17.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Highest pay
$40,000, executive director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
  1. $66,893 spent. THE ORGANIZATION IS THE FRIENDS GROUP FOR CHARLESTON NATIONAL PARKS INCLUDING FORT SUMTER FORT MOULTRIE AND CHARLES PINCKNEY THE TRUST IS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PRESERVING AND UTILIZING THESE AMERICAN TREASURES FOR THE COMMON GOOD THE TRUST SUPPORTS CHARLESTONS NATIONAL PARKS WITH PRIVATELY FUNDED PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES BEYOND THE RESOURCES OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE BEYOND SUPPORTING SPECIAL EVENTS AT EACH OF THE PARKS SUCH AS CAROLINA DAY AT FORT MOULTRIE CONSTITUTION DAY AT CHARLES PINCKNEY AND THE US MINTS FORT MOULTRIE QUARTER RELEASE THE TRUST ASSISTED THE PARK IN CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
  2. $9,249 spent. THE ORGANIZATIONS KIDS TO THE PARKS PROGRAM ARRANGES FIELD TRIPS AND PAYS FOR BUS AND BOAT TRANSPORTATION FOR UNDESERVED CHARLESTON COUNTY STUDENTS TO VISIT FORT SUMTER TO DATE OVER 5000 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THIS PROGRAM KIDS TO THE PARKS HELP THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MEET THE GOAL OF CONNECTING A DIVERSE AUDIENCE TO A LOCAL NATIONAL PARK AND TO US HISTORY
  3. $10,734 spent. ADOPT A CANNON

Source: Form 990EZ 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 March 2001.

    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.