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The Arts and Recreation Foundation of Overland Park Inc

EIN 48-1171599 · Overland Park, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE ARTS & RECREATION FOUNDATION OF OVERLAND PARK IS DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF RECREATIONAL, AESTHETIC, EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL POTENTIAL OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS. FUNDING INITIATIVES INCLUDE SUPPORT OF THE OVERLAND PARK ARBORETUM & BOTANICAL GARDENS, DEANNA ROSE CHILDREN'S FARMSTEAD AND OVERLAND PARK ARTS PROGRAMS. THE FOUNDATION MANAGES THREE MEMBERSHIP GROUPS - FRIENDS OF THE ARBORETUM, FRIENDS OF THE FARMSTEAD AND FRIENDS OF OVERLAND PARK ARTS - EACH LED BY AN ADVISORY BOARD COMPRISED OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSIST THE FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FOUNDATION STAFF WITH THE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, FUNDRAISING AND PROMOTION OF THE CULTURAL AMENITIES OF OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
13 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
3
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$116,480, executive director

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $250,574 spent. ARBORETUM & BOTANICAL GARDENS -THE OVERLAND PARK ARBORETUM & BOTANICAL GARDENS EXISTS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, RECREATION, AND THE APPRECIATION OF NATURE. IT PROVIDES BOTH A CULTURAL CENTER AND A NATURE PRESERVE FOR EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY. THE ARTS & RECREATIONFOUNDATION, BY SUPPORTING THE OPABG, IS INVESTING IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS BY DEVELOPING PROGRAMS, CONDUCTING SPECIAL EVENTS, AND RAISING FUNDS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE OPABG. THE ARTS & RECREATION FOUNDATION IS ASSISTED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE ARBORETUM (FOTA) ADVISORY BOARD TO FOSTER, PROMOTE AND DEVELOP THE AESTHETIC, EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF THE OPABG SO AS TO REALIZE ITS LONG TERM FULL POTENTIAL.
  2. $1.6 million spent. DEANNA ROSE CHILDREN'S FARMSTEAD -DEANNA ROSE CHILDREN'S FARMSTEAD WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1978 TO DEPICT A TURN OF THE CENTURY FARM. FAMILY-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES, ATTRACTIONS AND PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED APRIL 1 THROUGH OCTOBER 31 IN A 12-ACRE EDUCATIONAL FARM ENVIRONMENT THAT CULTIVATES AN APPRECIATION OF FARMLIFE, WILDLIFE AND KANSAS HERITAGE. THE ARTS & RECREATION FOUNDATION, BY SUPPORTING DEANNA ROSE CHILDREN'S FARMSTEAD, IS INVESTING IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS BY DEVELOPING PROGRAMS, CONDUCTING SPECIAL EVENTS, AND RAISING FUNDS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTSAT THE DRCF. THE ARTS & RECREATION FOUNDATION IS ASSISTED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE FARMSTEAD (FOF) ADVISORY BOARD TO FOSTER, PROMOTE AND DEVELOP THE SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND AESTHETIC ASPECTS OF THE OPABG SO AS TO REALIZE ITS LONG TERM FULL POTENTIAL.
  3. $784,418 spent. CITY OF OVERLAND PARK ARTS PROGRAM -THE ARTS & RECREATION FOUNDATION, BY SUPPORTING THE ARTS IN OVERLAND PARK, IS INVESTING IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS BY DEVELOPING PROGRAMS, CONDUCTING SPECIAL EVENTS, AND RAISING FUNDS FOR INSTALLATIONS OF PUBLIC ART AND PRESENTATION OF ARTS PROGRAMMING. THEARTS & RECREATION FOUNDATION IS ASSISTED BY THE FRIENDS OF OVERLAND PARK (FOA) ADVISORY BOARD TO EDUCATE AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF THE RESIDENTS OF OVERLAND PARK BY FOSTERING, PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING CULTURAL AND AESTHETIC ACTIVITIES AND INSTALLATIONS OF ART IN OVERLANDPARK.

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 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 November 1995.

    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.