Rockford Park District Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO ASSIST THE ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT BY SECURING PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT ON ITS BEHALF AND ENHANCING AWARENESS OF THE DISTRICT'S BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $4.2 million
- Spending
- $3.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 97%
- Reserves
- 10 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 49
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: 88 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1597% 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 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2526 of 26 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.
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 (4)
- $2.0 million spent. COMMUNITY THE ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT FOUNDATION BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER THROUGH MUSIC, NATURE, AND INCLUSIVE RECREATION. MUSIC IN THE PARK FILLS SUMMER NIGHTS WITH FREE LIVE PERFORMANCES, WHILE CITY OF GARDENS ADDS BEAUTY TO OUR COMMUNITY WITH THOUSANDS OF FLOWERS. ATWOOD TRAILS INVITES FAMILIES TO EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS YEAR-ROUND, AND THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SERVICES ENSURES PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES CAN ENJOY SPORTS AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS. THE MAJOR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN IN 2024 MADE THE PERKS FAMILY EQUINE CENTER AT LOCKWOOD PARK A REALITY, WHERE EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICES ARE BEING OFFERED. ONGOING FUNDRAISING IS TAKING PLACE FOR PROGRAMMING IN 2025. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, WE MAKE PARKS AND RECREATION MORE ACCESSIBLE, WELCOMING, AND VIBRANT FOR EVERYONE.
- $284,177 spent. YOUTH THE ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT FOUNDATION BELIEVES EVERY CHILD DESERVES A CHANCE TO PLAY. HELP ME PLAY ENSURES NO CHILD IS LEFT OUT DUE TO COST BY PROVIDING FEE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORTING FREE PROGRAMS. YOUTH GOLF, TRACK & FIELD, NFL FLAG FOOTBALL, HORSEBACK RIDING, AND SUMMER CAMP GIVE KIDS A PLACE TO LEARN, COMPETE, AND BUILD CONFIDENCE. THESE PROGRAMS OPEN DOORS, CREATE MEMORIES, AND HELP KIDS GROW, ON AND OFF THE FIELD.
- $9,398 spent. MEMORIALTHE CELEBRATE LIFE PROGRAM KEEPS MEMORIES ALIVE IN THE PLACES PEOPLE LOVED MOST. WHETHER IT'S A BENCH TO REST ON, A TREE THAT GROWS STRONG, OR A SWING THAT BRINGS JOY, THESE TRIBUTES HONOR LIVES IN A WAY THAT OTHERS CAN ENJOY FOR YEARS TO COME. LAGOON BRICKS ARE ALSO A POPULAR WAY TO REMEMBER LOVED ONES, CREATING A LASTING TRIBUTE IN A BEAUTIFUL SETTING. EACH MEMORIAL TELLS A STORY, CREATING SPACES WHERE FAMILY AND FRIENDS CAN REFLECT, REMEMBER, AND CELEBRATE.
- $737,440 spent. THE MAJORITY OF OTHER EXPENSES INCLUDED SUPPORT PROVIDED TO THE PERKS FAMILY EQUINE CENTER TO COMPLETE THE CAPITAL PROJECT.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1980.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.