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Palm Harbor Community Service Agency Inc

EIN 59-2720211 · Palm Harbor, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DEVELOP, PROVIDE AND PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF THE GREATER PALM HARBOR AREA.

Income
$7.5 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
115
Volunteers
400
Highest pay
$133,174, director-palm harbor parks

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 September 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 (4)
  1. $2.4 million spent. PALM HARBOR PARKS AND RECREATION: THE AGENCY OPERATES PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES INCLUDING THE CENTRE, PALM FIELD, POP STANSELL PARK, PUTNAM PARK, SUNDERMAN COMPLEX, WHITE CHAPEL AND HARBOR HALL IN A SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT FOR PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA. A WIDE VARIETY OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. - ON AVERAGE, WE SERVE ABOUT 8,000 PEOPLE PER MONTH IN OUR MAIN BUILDING.- IN BUILDING 2, WE SERVE ABOUT 1,500 PEOPLE PER MONTH. - AT WHITE CHAPPEL/HARBOR HALL, WE SERVE ABOUT 1,000 PEOPLE PER MONTH. - AT SUNDERMAN, PUTNAM AND PALM FIELDS, WE CAN EXPECT ANYWHERE BETWEEN 9,000-10,000 PER MONTH PER PARK. AT OUR TWO PLAYGROUNDS, WE SERVE ABOUT 1,500 PEOPLE PER MONTH PER PLAYGROUND. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)- SUMMER CAMP SERVES BETWEEN 250-400 KIDS A WEEK FOR THE 10 WEEKS IN ALL OUR FACILITIES. - ADDITIONALLY, WE OFFER SPECIAL EVENTS FROM OCTOBER-MAY. - IN TOTAL, WE SERVE ABOUT 43,500 PEOPLE PER MONTH.
  2. $2.1 million spent. PALM HARBOR LIBRARY: THE AGENCY OPERATES THE PALM HARBOR LIBRARY IN A SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT FOR PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA. A VARIETY OF CHILDREN, TEEN AND ADULT EDUCATIONAL AND CREATIVE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED. THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF VISITS PER MONTH IS 13,582. WE OFFER OVER 90,000 BOOKS, DVDS, PERIODICALS, AND OTHER UNIQUE ITEMS IN OUR 26,000 SQUARE FT SPACE.FOR ADULTS, WE OFFER BOOK CLUBS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPEN MEETINGS, CREATIVE WRITING, CULINARY DEMONSTRATIONS, DIY CRAFTING, GENEALOGY, LITERACY (ENGLISH INSTRUCTION AND TUTORING), LIVE MUSIC AND OTHER PERFORMANCES, LOCAL MUSEUM TALKS, MASTER GARDENER AND OTHER INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATIONS, MOVIE SHOWINGS, TAI CHI AND VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALKS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)TEEN PROGRAMS INCLUDE ANIME CLUB, COMIC BOOK CLUB, GAMING, AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD. FOR KIDS, WE OFFER ARTS/CRAFTS, CHESS CLUB, LEGO BUILDING, MAKERSPACE, MUSIC, PERFORMANCES, POKMON CLUB, ROBOTICS/CODING, SIGN LANGUAGE, AND STORYTIME.IN JULY 2025, PALM HARBOR LIBRARY CO-HOSTED SEVERAL EVENTS CELEBRATING "100 YEARS OF PALM HARBOR" WITH PALM HARBOR PARKS AND RECREATION, PALM HARBOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PALM HARBOR MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION, AND OTHERS.
  3. $1.4 million spent. EAST LAKE COMMUNITY LIBRARY: THE AGENCY OPERATES THE EAST LAKE COMMUNITY LIBRARY IN A SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT FOR PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA. CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES. THE LIBRARY HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY TRAFFIC COUNT OF 6,500. WE CONTINUE TO HIGHLIGHT THE SUCCESS OF ELCL'S PASSPORT SERVICES. ADDITIONALLY, WE OFFER FINGERPRINT SERVICES, DELIVERY SERVICE FOR HOMEBOUND PATRONS, A 24/7 MATERIALS LOCKER SYSTEM, A NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD PANTRY, AND A GIZMOS AND GADGETS COLLECTION THAT INCLUDES INTERNET HOTSPOTS WITH UNLIMITED DATA. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) OUR SUMMER READING CLUBS ENCOMPASS ALL AGE GROUPS AND PROVIDE INCENTIVES AND PROGRAMMING TO SUPPORT THE THEME. 2025 PARTICIPATION NUMBERS EXCEEDED ALL EXPECTATIONS. THERE WERE 73 IN-PERSON PROGRAMS DURING JUNE AND JULY, WITH A TOTAL OF 2,773 PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDES THE SUMMER READING CLUB FINALE). ALTHOUGH THE AVERAGE # OF MONTHLY VISITS DIPPED TO ABOUT 5,900 IN FY2025, THE CIRCULATION NUMBERS FOR ALL MATERIALS WERE UP 17% TO 170,000 CHECKOUTS, WITH OVER 65% PHYSICAL MATERIALS.
  4. $736,562 spent. EAST LAKE RECREATION: THE AGENCY OPERATES RECREATION SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN A SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT FOR PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA. THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES TAXING UNIT WAS CREATED TO SUPPORT THE EAST LAKE YOUTH SPORTS ASSOCIATION WHICH HAS THREE PRIMARY SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS: EAST LAKE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, EAST LAKE YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING, AND THE WEST FLORIDA FLAMES SOCCER CLUB. THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO UTILIZE THE FACILITIES WEEKLY OR MONTHLY INCLUDING SPORTS PARTICIPANTS, SPECTATORS, AND FAMILIES, IS ABOUT 17,000.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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? 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 September 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 September 1991.

    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.