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Friends of Rouge Park

EIN 32-0011147 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROTECT, RESTORE, AND PROMOTE A NATURAL, ENVIRONMENTALLY HEALTHY, AND CULTURALLY VIBRANT ROUGE PARK THAT ENGAGES THE COMMUNITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL

Income
$630,205
Spending
$430,603
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
0
Volunteers
43
Highest pay
$109,910, 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 160% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 11 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

    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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $231,496 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS- FRIENDS OF ROUGE PARK FACILITATES NATURE PROGRAMMING YEAR ROUND, SUMMER PROGRAMMING (INCLUDING WALKING CLUB, YOGA AND YOUTH SPORTS PROGRAMS) AS WELL AS SEVERAL CULTURAL OR FITNESS FOCUSED SPECIAL EVENTS ( WINTERFEST, BUFFALO SOLDIERS & BLUES AND MOUNTAIN BIKE RAMBLE). IN 2025, WE ALSO HOSTED A SPECIAL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION THREE-DAY FESTIVAL.
  2. $66,638 spent. STEWARDSHIP- FRIENDS OF ROUGE PARK ENGAGES VOLUNTEERS TO CARE FOR THE PARK, FROM PICKING UP TRASH AND REMOVING INVASIVE SPECIES TO PLANTING TREES AND IMPROVING NATURE TRAILS.
  3. $8,821 spent. PARK PROJECTS- FRIENDS OF ROUGE PARK PARTNERS WITH THE CITY TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO PARK INFRASTRUCTURE. IN 2025, THIS INCLUDED PLANNING FOR THE LASHER MARSH VIEWING PLATFORM.

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 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 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 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.