Park People of Milwaukee County Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The organization's mission is to strive to enhance and protect Milwaukee County Parks, their resources and facilities; to develope a wider public interest in and appreciation of the parks,open spaces and recreational facilities offered by the park system; to sponsor activities and projects that will enable citizens of all ages,interests and backgrounds to make better use of the countyparks; to encourage stewardship and development of individual parks and facilities by groups and individuals and to plan programs for members to acquaint them with the parks and their potential use.
- Income
- $320,545
- Spending
- $270,556
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 10 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 1,350
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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 March 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)
- $270,556 spent. Park Projects: This program allows the Park People to accept donations from individuals and corporations with specific intent on use for projects that have been developed by Milwaukee County Parks. Projects usually involve renovation of structures or additional equipment to enhance park operations.
- Park Market: The Park Market helps beautify our parks while also providing individuals with an unique way to honor special people or events in our lives. The Park People offer a selection of thees and benches through its Park Market, the onlyprogram in Milwaukee County that allows a tree to be planted or a bench to be placed on your behalf in your favorite Milwaukee County park. From time to time, the on-line Park Market offers unique smaller gifts, such as calendars or note cards featuring our beautiful parks. The Park People also work with donors who envision a larger scale park enhancement through the Park Market.
- Friends Group projects: The Park People assists interested individuals in the creation of Friends Groups for theri neighborhood parks. The organization provides directions, capacity building strategies and resources for these individuals and works as a liason between their group and the Parks Department. Ultimately, these groups work to promote and enhance their parks through volunteer efforts, fund raising, and events.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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 March 2025.
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 March 1978.
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.