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Harpers Playground

EIN 46-4451148 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HARPER'S PLAYGROUND INSPIRES VITAL COMMUNITIES BY CREATING INVITING PLAYGROUNDS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES.

Income
$396,226
Spending
$642,028
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
6
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$116,325, executive dir.

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 69% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 46 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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 (1)
  1. $367,440 spent. HARPERS PLAYGROUND (THE ORGANIZATION) IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION INCORPORATED IN THE STATE OF OREGON IN 2009. THE ORGANIZATION ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR PLAYGROUNDS THAT ARE DESIGNED FOR EVERYBODY. FAR TOO OFTEN, PLAYGROUNDS LEAVE VITAL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITIES ON THE SIDELINES, THEY ARE INACCESSIBLE TO CAREGIVERS, AND THEY LACK NATURE. THEY DONT SPARK THE IMAGINATION; EVEN KIDS WHO CAN ACCESS THEM BECOME QUICKLY BORED. MOST OF ALL, THEY DONT ALLOW EVERYONE TO PLAY TOGETHER. USING A COMBINATION OF INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATE AND GOVERNMENT FUNDING, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: PLAYGROUND DEVELOPMENT WE BUILD INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUNDS WHERE EVERYONE CAN PLAY. CONSULTING TO APPROVE EXISTING PLAYGROUNDS WE PUT OUR SEAL OF APPROVAL ONPLAYGROUNDS THAT SUCCEED IN BEING NATURALLY INCLUSIVE. THAT MEANS THEY ARE PHYSICALLY, SOCIALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY INVITING.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2012.

    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 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 March 2015.

    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.