Houston Parks Board
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Houston Parks Board mission is to expand, improve, and protect parks and greenspace in the Houston region.
- Income
- $35.8 million
- Spending
- $22.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 11.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 41%
- Employees
- 58
- Volunteers
- 125
- Highest pay
- $365,931, president and ceo
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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2535 of 36 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (4)
- $11.3 million spent. Bayou Greenways Maintenance: Houston Parks Board provides ongoing maintenance for Bayou Greenways through a long-term agreement with the City of Houston. Bayou Greenways is an integrated system of connected linear parks and trails along nine major bayous within Houston city limits. Unspent funds from the annual maintenance fee are used for trail and bridge capital replacement projects along the bayous. Houston Parks Board incorporates conservation into bayou maintenance to preserve, create, and enhance the region's habitats through initiatives such as tree plantings and prairie rebuilds, and wetland restorations.
- $4.0 million spent. Neighborhood & Regional Parks: Through partnerships with the Houston Parks Board LGC, the City of Houston, and other public and private partners, Houston Parks Board creates and renovates neighborhood and regional parks in the Houston region, with a focus on supported underinvested communities.
- $3.8 million spent. Bayou Greenways & Connector Trails: Houston Parks Board, along with support from partners, designs and builds trails and linear parks across the Houston region to connect communities, provide recreational opportunities, and enhance competitiveness in the region.
- $301,638 spent. Research, Feasibility, and Partnerships: Houston Parks Board conducts feasibility assessments of future projects, develops strategies to support parks and trails, and implements new partnerships with the aim of supporting greenspaces throughout the region. Additionally, it assists the City of Houston in receiving and utilizing funds for special projects.
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 May 1987.
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.