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Friends of Heritage Park & Gardens Inc

EIN 45-3563691 · Live Oak, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NORTH/EASTERN SECTIONS OF THE HPG ARE INTENDED TO BE A RESOURCE ORIENTED, PASSIVE RECREATION ANND CULTURAL PARK WITH A MINIMUM OF FOUR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND A VOLNTEER STAFFED NATURE, CULTURAL ANND EDUCATIONAL FACILITY. THESE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES INCLUDE A PLAYGROUND, PICNIC PAVILLION, SAND VOLLEYBALL COURT AND A FRISBEE GOLD COURSE. THE SOUTH/WESTERN SECTIONS OF THE HPG (THE 34 ACRE PECAN GROVE) ARE PLANNED FOR FUTURE ACTIVE RECREATION SUCH AS YOUTH BALL FIELDS, TENNIS COURTS, AND MULTI-PURPOSE FIELDS. THE ABANDONED CSX RAILWAY CORRIDOR WILL BE DEVELOPED AND CONNECTED IN THE FUTURE TO OTHER PORTIONS OF THE RAILWAY CORRIDOR TO THE NORTH THUS PROVIDING CONNECTIVITY TO DOWNTOWN LIVE OAK VIA A MULTI-USE TRAIL. THESE FACILITIES WILL BE DESIGNED IN A MANNER THAT MINIMIZES IMPACTS TO NATURAL RESOURCES ON THE PROJECT SITE. PORTIONS OF THE PROPERTY WILL BE RESTORED OVER TIME TO THEIR ORIGINAL ECOLOGICAL VALUES AND FUNCTION. THE PROJECT SITE WILL BE MANAGED OVERALL FOR THE CONSERVA

Income
$168,431
Spending
$126,482
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
0

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $121,943 spent. PROVIDE PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE, PASSIVE & ACTIVE RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL AREAS
  2. PROTECT AND MAINTAIN THE PROJECT SITE'S NATURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES

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 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 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 March 2012.

    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.