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United Parks As One

EIN 47-3148873 · Newark, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNITED PARKS AS ONE IS A CITYWIDE ALLIANCE OF NEIGHBORHOOD-BASED PARK, PLAYGROUND, AND GARDEN ADVOCATES DEDICATED TO THE CREATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND ACTIVATION OF OPEN SPACES FOR THE BENEFIT OF NEWARK RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES.

Income
$352,284
Spending
$241,301
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
11.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
9
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$5,600, treasurer

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $51,621 spent. PARK RANGERS SUMMER ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM: FOR SIX WEEKS DURING THE SUMMER, YOUTH FROM THE CITY OF NEWARK SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM ARE ASSIGNED TO SERVE AS PARK RANGERS AT A NEWARK PARK. THEY GAIN WORK EXPERIENCE WHILE HELPING TO MAINTAIN THE PARK, ATTEND FIELD TRIPS AND WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY, PARTICIPATE IN CAREER EDUCATION SESSIONS, AND INCREASE THEIR SELF-AWARENESS THROUGH DAILY YOGA AND JOURNALING SESSIONS.
  2. $8,022 spent. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IS A NATIONAL ANNUAL EVENT THAT HAPPENS ON THE 1ST TUESDAY IN AUGUST EACH YEAR. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT PROMOTES PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNITIES AND PUBLIC-SAFETY AGENCIES. UNITED PARKS AS ONE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN NEWARK TO HOST A NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENT. THAT EVENT EVENTUALLY BLOSSOMED INTO ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS AT JESSE ALLEN PARK, MILDRED HELMS PARK, AND NAT TURNER PARK. EACH EVENT FEATURES LIVE ENTERTAINMENT; REFRESHMENTS; INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS PRESENTED BY LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS IN FIELDS SUCH AS THE ARTS, EDUCATION, AND HEALTHCARE; FACE PAINTING; AND AN ARRAY OF OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES. THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND, THE CITY OF NEWARK, AND VICTORIA FOUNDATION ARE THE MAIN PARTNERS FOR THE CELEBRATIONS.
  3. $150,808 spent. COMMUNITY ORGANIZING INITIATIVE: THIS INITIATIVE HELPS OPEN SPACE GROUPS IN NEWARK GET ESTABLISHED AND DEVELOP DEEP ROOTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES SO THEY CAN BE BOTH PRODUCTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE. OUR INITIAL EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON THE REACTIVATION OF GROUPS AT THREE PARKS. WE HIRED A PART-TIME COMMUNITY ORGANIZER TO OVERSEE THIS WORK. THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER USES COMMUNITY OUTREACH, EVENTS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AT THE PARKS TO IDENTIFY AND PARTNER WITH STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN CARING FOR THEIR LOCAL PARK AND COMMUNITY.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2014.

    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 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 May 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.

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