Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation raises funds, fosters partnerships and advocates on behalf of Sonoma County Regional Parks. It solicits donations to help acquire, preserve and enhance 62 parks and trails throughout Sonoma County.
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $1.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 16
- Highest pay
- $106,344, 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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $1.3 million spent. Park Acquisition, Preservation, and Enhancement - The Parks Foundation contributes funds to support programs and activities in Sonoma County Regional Parks. Parks Foundation funding was directed to the following major projects in 2024-25:- A rainwater catchment system consisting of two tanks that can store over 45,000 gallons of water. The tanks were installed at Helen Putnam Regional Park: one near the parking lot restrooms on Chileno Valley Road and another by ranger housing. The stored water will be used to water sheep that graze at the park, managing fuel loads and promoting the growth of native wildflowers. The innovative water catchment system not only conserves groundwater and reduces reliance on the parks well, but also serves as a backup resource for fire suppression when needed.- Phase 1 reconstruction of Foothill Regional Park in Windsor, California, after the Kincade Fire. Reconstruction included a spectacular mosaic, titled Resilience, an 88-foot-long curved tile seat wall created by artist Angelina Duckett. The mosaic depicts the parks ecosystem recovery and native flora following the wildfire. The artwork acts as a gathering area and educational space near the park's entrance.- Provided initial funding for the reconstruction of Larson Park, located in The Springs neighborhood of the Sonoma Valley. - Concluded the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Spring Lake Regional Park, including a photo contest and equestrian picnic and ride. Funds raised during the year-long celebration supported improvements at Spring Lake Regional Park.- Regional Parks natural resources projects, including fire preparedness (vegetation management, creation of shaded fuel breaks, grazing to remove fire fuels) and protection of endangered plants and animals. The Parks Foundation focused with Regional Parks on purchasing and installing bear-proof garbage and recycling receptacles, as well as bear-proof food lockers, at Gualala Point Regional Park. - Installation of amenities like benches and picnic tables at Regional Parks- Tools and equipment to help Regional Parks' staff more successfully do their jobs, including an EV ATV, as well as electric tools to reduce parks carbon emissions.
- Education Programs and Community Engagement - The Foundation supports a number of programs at Sonoma County Regional Parks, including the following major projects in 2024-25:- Field trips that help students gain knowledge consistent with California state science standards through hands-on exploration in Sonoma County Regional Parks. More than 10,000 students benefited from these field trips, and more than one-third of these students came from disadvantaged schools. - Environmental education programs for underserved students and teens, such as the Youth Exploring Sonoma series, which invites teens from disadvantaged communities to enjoy outdoor recreation, engage in park stewardship, and benefit from leadership opportunities.- Regional Parks volunteer programs- The Water Safety Patrol, including purchasing hundreds of loaner life vests for use at the Russian River- Vamos a Nadar ("Let's Go Swimming"), a program that provides free swim lessons and water safety instruction for Spanish-speaking children and families- "Camperships" for underserved children to attend summer camps in Regional Parks- "Caminitos," a program that brings Spanish-speaking preschool-age children and their parents to a local park for a hike, healthy snack, storytime and crafts.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.