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Iowa Parks and Recreation Association Inc

EIN 42-1088426 · Grinnell, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ASSIST MEMBERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR CAREERS AND TO SUPPORT LASTING PARKS AND RECREATION SYSTEMS.

Income
$479,053
Spending
$471,587
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%
Employees
2
Volunteers
153
Highest pay
$113,580, president &

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

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 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. $228,549 spent. COORDINATING REGIONAL PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS, PRODUCTION OF MONTHLY INFORMATIONAL MAGAZINES, INFORMATIONAL WEBSITE MAINTENANCE, ORGANIZING AND IMPLEMENTING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT THE IOWA STATE FAIR ARE ALL UNDERTAKEN TO RAISE THE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF PARKS AND RECREATION. OVER 150 VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED WITH THESE EVENTS, WHILE MORE THAN 850 PERSONS ATTENDED.
  2. $66,487 spent. CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS: THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS THE LARGEST PROFESSIONAL AND CITIZEN ADVOCATE NETWORKING AND EDUCATIONAL SESSION OPPORTUNITY OFFERED. DURING THE EVENT, 33 EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS ARE OFFERED PROVIDING ATTENDEES WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKERS, INTERACTION BETWEEN COMMERCIAL AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT VENDORS WITH DELEGATES, OFF-SITE FACILITY TOURS AND AN AWARDS BANQUET. THERE WERE 179 ATTENDEES TO THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE ALONG WITH 59 EXHIBITORS. THE FALL WORKSHOP IS THE ASSOC.'S SECOND LARGEST PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE COMPRISING 24 EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS WITH SOCIAL NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING A GOLF OUTING AND OFF-SITE FACILITY TOURS AVAILABLE TO THE ATTENDEES. 95 DELEGATES ATTENDED AND 58 GOLFERS PARTICIPATED.
  3. $120,508 spent. CERTIFIED POOL OPERATOR/AQUATIC CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOPS: A TWO-DAY CLASS CULMINATING IN AN OPEN BOOK EXAM PREPARES ATTENDEES TO TAKE THE CERTIFIED POOL OPERATOR CERTIFICATION EXAM. 390 PERSONS PARTICIPATED IN THE EXAM. THE CLASS IS PRESENTED BY NATIONALLY CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS FROM THE POOL AND HOT TUB ALLIANCE. THE AQUATIC CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOP IS A 2-1/2 HOUR CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE MANDATED BY THE STATE OF IOWA TO ALLOW POOL OPERATORS TO REMAIN CURRENT ON THEIR POOL OPERATION KNOWLEDGE. THIS WORKSHOP IS APPROVED BY THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS DIVISION. 575 OPERATORS ATTENDED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 November 6, 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 June 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 December 1977.

    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 November 4, 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.