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Highland Park Conservancy Inc

EIN 54-2128199 · Rochester, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission is to preserve Highland Park's unique heritage and to promote its vast horticultural, educational and recreational resources. Continued on Schedule OWe support planning, management and restoration, and engage the community through educational and recreational programs for all ages, tours and outreach.

Income
$96,242
Spending
$30,248
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
0
Volunteers
285

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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 89% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $20,568 spent. The Highland Park Conservancy (HPC) is the official not-for-profit volunteer organization formed to help preserve Highland Park's unique heritage and to promote its vast horticultural, educational, and recreational resources. It supports sound planning, management and restoration. Conservancy volunteers conduct tours, and other educational and recreational events that are free and open to all. Hosted numerous tours that focus on the various horticultural collections in the park, the key features of this Frederick Law Olmsted designed park and the history of the park. (Continued on Schedule O)Garden Stewards volunteer in the park weekly maintaining specific horticulture collections. Volunteers also serve on various regional committees to advocate for the parks needs.We also hosted free live music and a film in the park that was free and open to the public.Our accomplishments for the year include fundraising for the Children's Pavilion project and offering at least one free educational program to the public a month and often more. Additionally, we sponsored an educational newsletter to promote public outreach and the events we hosted in the park. Held performances in Highland Bowl including a jazz band, poetry festival and two movies. The Garden Stewards spent over 2,700 hours in the park on weeding. We launched a Docent program with 3 Guided walks in 2024 and plans for 15 in 2025.

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 March 2005.

    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.