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The Skatepark Project

EIN 33-0965889 · Vista, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak15 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE SKATEPARK PROJECT HELPS UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES CREATE SAFE AND INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SKATEPARKS FOR YOUTH.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$7.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
14
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$233,397, executive director

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

Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 118% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 162% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 25 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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, 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 (4)
  1. $5.7 million spent. SKATEPARK BUILDING, MAINTENANCE & PROGRAMMING: IS THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO COMMUNITIES TO HELP SUPPORT THE BUILDING OF FREE PUBLIC SKATEPARKS, MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING SKATEPARKS, GRANTS TO SUPPORT SKATEPARK PROGRAMMING TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION, AND SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF SKATERS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETS TO REVIEW GRANT APPLICATIONS AND SELECT RECIPIENTS BASED ON SEVERAL CRITERIA, INCLUDING MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME, CURRENT ACCESS TO SKATEPARKS, SCOPE OF PROPOSED PROJECT, DEMONSTRATED WORK COMPLETED TO FUNDRAISE AND CREATE COMMUNITY AWARENESS, AND OTHER LOCAL DATA DEMONSTRATING THE COMMUNITY IS UNDERSERVED. REVENUE FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM IS GENERATED THROUGH SPONSORSHIP, DONATIONS, GRANTS AND AUCTIONS.
  2. $421,530 spent. BUILT TO PLAY PROGRAM: WITH MATCHING-GRANT FUNDS OF UP TO $250,000 AND A SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT OF UP TO $50,000 TO ENCOURAGE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, THE BUILT TO PLAY SKATEPARK PROGRAM SUPPORTS COMMUNITY GROUPS AND MUNICIPAL ENTITIES SEEKING TO CREATE FREE, PUBLIC SKATEPARKS FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN AND WESTERN NEW YORK. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES ADVISORY SERVICES AND ADVOCACY TRAINING TO ASSIST GROUPS IN ORGANIZING AND MANAGING THEIR EFFORTS.
  3. $72,968 spent. FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM: THE TSP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IS A TWELVE MONTH, TWO-PHASE TRAINING AND PROJECT DESIGN OPPORTUNITY. THROUGH TRAINING, MENTORSHIP, AND RESOURCES, TSP WILL BUILD MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE, DIVERSE AND EQUIPPED SKATE PARK ADVOCATES, DESIGNERS AND PROGRAMMERS. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO INCLUDE A DIVERSE GROUP OF BIPOC PEOPLE AGED 12-24. AFTER SUCCESSFUL MATRICULATION, WE HOPE TO ENCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF SKATEPARK ADVOCATES.
  4. $19,823 spent. SUPPLY THE RIDE PROGRAM: THE SUPPLY THE RIDE PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES COMMUNITY MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY YOUNG MEMBERS, WITH FREE SKATEBOARDS, HELMETS AND PADS.

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? 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 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 June 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 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.