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Christmas in the Park

EIN 77-0046955 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK IS A COMMUNITY-FOCUSED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY SEASON BY PRODUCING A FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY EVENT FOR ALL TO ENJOY.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
0
Volunteers
325
Highest pay
$107,747, operations director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 February 28, 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. $844,957 spent. THE CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK'S HOLIDAY EVENT BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER EACH HOLIDAY SEASON THROUGH INCLUSIVE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY PROGRAMS THAT CELEBRATE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND TOGETHERNESS. THE ENCHANTED FOREST INVITES INDIVIDUALS, SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, AND LOCAL BUSINESSES TO DESIGN FESTIVE TREE DISPLAYS THAT REFLECT COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND HOLIDAY JOY. THE JINGLE BELL STAGE SHOWCASES LOCAL PERFORMERSINCLUDING CHOIRS, BANDS, AND DANCE GROUPSPROVIDING FREE ENTERTAINMENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE REGION'S ARTISTIC TALENT. VISITS WITH SANTA OFFERS FAMILIES A NO-COST OPPORTUNITY TO MEET SANTA AND CAPTURE LASTING HOLIDAY MEMORIES. TOGETHER, THESE ACTIVITIES FOSTER CIVIC PRIDE, SUPPORT LOCAL ARTS, AND ENSURE AN ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES.
  2. $563,305 spent. SINCE 2020, THE CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK'S DRIVE-THRU LIGHT SHOW HAS BROUGHT HOLIDAY JOY TO THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES THROUGH IMMERSIVE, LARGER-THAN-LIFE DISPLAYS SYNCHRONIZED TO FESTIVE MUSIC. THIS SEASON, GUESTS WERE GUIDED BY BLINKY THROUGH A DAZZLING WINTER WONDERLAND OF LIGHT TUNNELS, GIANT SNOWFLAKES, AND CANDY CANE FORESTS. THE DRIVE-THRU EXPERIENCE NOT ONLY SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER IN A SAFE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY SETTING BUT ALSO GENERATES ESSENTIAL SUPPORT TO HELP KEEP CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK'S DOWNTOWN EVENT FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 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 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 February 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 March 1985.

    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.