Hermann Park Conservancy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Hermann Park Conservancy is a citizens organization dedicated to the stewardship and improvement of Hermann Park - today and for generations to come.
- Income
- $15.5 million
- Spending
- $10.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 44 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 102
- Volunteers
- 7,144
- Highest pay
- $179,681, president (thru 08/24)
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 44.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2541 of 42 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 (3)
- $4.2 million spent. Hermann Park Conservancy (HPC) exists to ensure that Hermann Park remains one of the most vibrant, welcoming, and well-used urban parks in the country. As a public-private partner to the City of Houston, HPC focuses on long-term planning, capital improvements, stewardship, and visitor services across the Park's 445 acres. Current activities include the operation of major Park assets such as the McGovern Centennial Gardens, Lott Hall, McWilliams Dog Park, and the Commons - a new destination for play and gathering. HPC oversees volunteer and conservation programs, forestry management, and earned income strategies that support long-term care. Continued on Schedule O. At the same time, HPC is executing a 10-year implementation plan to bring to life the Park's final components of the updated master plan - an ambitious, community-informed vision that meets the needs of today while building for future generations.Park Programs and Maintenance: Stewardship and Park Operations: Hermann Park Conservancy stewards the Park's natural landscapes, tree canopy, and high-use public spaces with a focus on long-term environmental health and exceptional daily care. With the openings of the Commons and McWilliams Dog Park, Conservancy-managed acreage has more than doubled. These destinations now join the McGovern Centennial Gardens as areas under full Conservancy management, contributing to a 30 percent increase in annual operational needs. Through the urban land management, forestry, and maintenance programs, the Conservancy oversees more than 13,000 trees, leads habitat restoration efforts across the Park, and cares for these spaces with the support of expert horticulture staff, a natural areas team, and a Park-wide maintenance program that supplements the City's work, including regular care in the Japanese Garden. HPC's robust volunteer program, established in 2003, further strengthens this stewardship and mission, contributing more than 30,000 hours of Park care each year. Community Engagement and Programming: Hermann Park Conservancy enriches the visitor experience through free or low-cost programming that welcomes Houstonians of all ages into the Park. Our community offerings span beloved annual traditions and new creative initiatives, including the internationally recognized "The Great Elephant Migration" installation, which brought 100 extraordinary, life-sized elephant sculptures into the landscape. Signature events such as the Park to Port Bike Ride and Run in the Park remain core touchpoints for thousands of residents each year, building connection and encouraging active enjoyment of the Park's greenspaces. With Art in the Park, the public art program established in 2014, the Conservancy continues to present rotating public art and cultural installations that invite curiosity, exploration, and repeat visitation. Other ongoing programming further animates the Park, including student performances, the Garden & Nature Series, and a growing array of workshops, family activities, and topic-based events. This type of community engagement is an evolving priority for the Conservancy, and we intend to deepen, expand, and diversify programming in the years ahead so that Hermann Park remains a place of learning, creativity, and joy for all who visit.
- $2.4 million spent. Visitor Services and Facility Rentals: The Conservancy's visitor services and facility rentals are earned income areas and provide popular amenities and offerings for Park visitors. The visitor services department operates the Hermann Park Railroad, pedal boats, Park cafes, Lott Family Carousel, and oversees the gift shop in Lake Plaza. We also receive revenue from the facility rentals program for spaces available in the McGovern Centennial Gardens and Lott Hall. When the Commons opened in 2024, income opportunities were part of the operational plans. These include rental of the site's three pavilions, an improved Hermann Park Railroad stop, and the addition of a carousel as a new park amenity.
- $2.1 million spent. Planning, Design, and Construction: Hermann Park Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Houston and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, developed a new master plan in 2017 that reimagines the Park through the lenses of play, nature, access, and mobility - priorities identified through extensive community input. With transformational projects like the Commons and the McWilliams Dog Park now complete, HPC is launching a coordinated 10-year final projects plan. Continued on Schedule O. This plan includes restoration or renovation of the following areas: - North Lake restoration and habitat enhancement- Restoration of the Japanese Garden- Historic Golf Course improvements- Expansion of the Greenway Connection and the Loop Trail- Renovation of the Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center and surrounding recreation areas- Improvement and expansion of maintenance and operations facilities- Comprehensive connectivity enhancements and improvements in and around the Park- Fannin Parking Garage and Skybridge - Bayou Parkland restoration- A reimagined Park CenterTogether, these projects will dramatically improve the visitor experience, increase access and mobility, restore natural systems, and create new opportunities for programming and recreation. The Conservancy has quietly begun fundraising efforts for this vision plan and will continue to move toward a public launch of this campaign, which totals over $312 million at current estimate.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1991.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.