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Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory

EIN 36-3456058 · Oak Park, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY INTEREST IN THE OAK PARK CONSERVATORY, OFFER EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT THE CONSERVATORY.

Income
$161,922
Spending
$229,818
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 57 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 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 September 30, 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. $96,954 spent. WE ENGAGE COMMUNITY SUPPORT BY ATTRACTING VISITORS, MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS THROUGH OUR MEMBERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDE COMMUNICATIONS VIA NEWSLETTERS, WEBSITE, EMAIL, MEMBER AND VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENTS, MEMBER LECTURES, ATTENDING SEVERAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS, AS WELL AS THROUGH OUR PARTNER'S (PARK DISTRICT OF OAK PARK) SOCIAL MEDIA.
  2. $300 spent. VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT TEACH AND INSPIRE VISITORS AT THE CONSERVATORY INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING: DOCENT LED TOURS OF THE SHOWROOMS SERVING PRESCHOOL CHILDREN THROUGH ADULT, MONTHLY NATURE-INSPIRED TODDLER-PARENT PROGRAMMING (TODDLER EXPLORATION TIME), WEEKLY VOLUNTEER-LED NATURE-THEMED DROP-IN STORYTIME SERVING FAMILIES, AND SUMMER DOCENT-LED NATURE-THEMED DROP-IN ACTIVITIES SERVING FAMILIES OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE DISCOVERY GARDEN (DISCOVERY GARDEN EXPLORATION TIME). VOLUNTEERS RUN AND SUPPORT SEVERAL COMMUNITY BUILDING EVENTS THAT ATTRACT HUNDREDS OF VISITORS TO EACH EVENT INCLUDING KIDS-FEST, UNCORKED, THE ANNUAL GARDEN WALK, THE ANNUAL PLANT SALE AND PERENNIAL/TOOL EXCHANGE. THERE ARE ADULT NATURE THEMED LECTURES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  3. WE SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT THE CONSERVATORY THROUGH GRANTS THAT FUND, OR PARTIALLY FUND, PARK DISTRICT EVENTS SUCH AS FALL FEST AT THE CONSERVATORY OR CONSERVATORY FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 October 1986.

    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.