Friends of Missoula Parks Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FMP is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of our community through the promotion and support of recreational spaces. We champion the development, maintenance, and conservation of parks, trails, and forestry in Missoula, Montana, and the surrounding areas.
- Income
- $452,495
- Spending
- $97,704
- Spent on programs
- 97%
- Reserves
- 56.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 25
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 56.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 78% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 93% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (1)
- $94,238 spent. Since its inception in 2002, Friends of Missoula Parks (FMP) has been a driving force in elevating the recreational landscape of our community. With a dedicated volunteer board and a strong network of supporters, FMP has spearheaded many impactful projects. These endeavors include the installation of bear-proof garbage canisters in local parks, constructing a crucial bridge over Rattlesnake Creek, and extensive trail enhancements on the iconic Mt. Sentinel.One of our flagship accomplishments has been creating a bridge and trail connection linking the Rattlesnake Valley to the University of Montana, facilitating easier access for residents and students alike. Additionally, we take pride in our contributions to developing bike parks at Syringa Park and Bellevue Park, providing exciting recreational opportunities for cyclists of all ages, and spearheading tree plantings at parks throughout Missoula. In addition to our direct initiatives, FMP also serves as a vital fiscal sponsorship organization, supporting various groups in their pursuit of enhancing public spaces. Among our sponsored initiatives are the Friends of Fort Missoula Regional Park, the All-Abilities Playground, Trees for Missoula, the Missoula Pickleball Project, The Clinton Skate Park Project, Friends of Marshall Mountain, and the Southside Lions Park Project.Through our collaborative efforts, FMP remains committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive recreational environment for all members of the Missoula community. As an example, In November 2023, FMP collaborated with Climate Smart Missoula, to move the FMP-sponsored Trees for Missoula (TFM) program from our organization to Climate Smart. Since its inception, FMP & TFM raised funds and awareness about the City of Missoula Urban Forestry program. By purchasing equipment and funding tree audits, ball-free tree-growth programs, wood-featured benches and sitting areas in park spaces, TFM became a driving forest in the health of our Urban Forest. In addition FMP & TFM organized tree-planting campaigns, complete with managing volunteer planters and pruners. FMP serves as a fiscal sponsorship organization for groups wishing to gain non-profit benefits who do not have their non-profit organization. These fiscal sponsorship agreements allow groups to provide tax benefits to their donors. Groups who have benefitted from sponsorship include Friends of Fort Missoula Regional Park, the All-Abilities Playground, Trees for Missoula, the Missoula Pickleball Project, and The Missoula Community Center Project. FMP is governed by a board of volunteer directors serving three-year terms. FMP board members have been engineers, doctors, housewives, lawyers, scientists, retirees, and educators, among other professions. FRIENDS OF MISSOULA PARKS ACTIVE PROJECTS/FISCAL SPONSORSHIPS1. Partners in Parks (2012 to present). A collaborative effort with the Missoula Parks & Recreation Department and the City of Missoula to raise funds to support increased demands on Parks &Recreation services and programs, particularly in recreation for low-income children and their families. Project contact Donna Gaukler.2. All-Abilities Playground (2011 to present). FMP serves as the fiscal sponsor for this project. The current focus is on providing funds to repair and maintain the All-Abilities playground at McCormick Park: project contact, Jenny Montgomery.3. Rattlesnake/University Connection System [RUX] (2010 to present). A collaborative effort with the City of Missoula to extend the non-motorized trail system and provide a safer pathway for pedestrians and cyclists between the University Footbridge (Van Buren Street Footbridge), downtown, and the Rattlesnake in two phases. Current efforts include maintaining a fund for future expansion: project contact Phil Gardner.4. Greenough Park Footbridge (2010 to present). No activity at present.5. Friends of Fort Missoula Regional Park (2006 Present). FMP serves as the fiscal sponsor for this project, which has transitioned to a support group for FMRP improvements. 6. Keaton Miles Fund/Heaven Couldnt Wait (2011 Present) FMP serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Miles family who raise money to support poor youth in outdoor parks & recreation opportunities, athletics, and clothing to support such activities in honor of their son. 7. Pickleball Courts (2015 Present) FMP is the fiscal sponsor for the Pickleball community, which raised funds to build 6 pickleball courts at FMRP. The group is currently funding for future Pickleball growth.8. Missoula Bicycle Parks Project (2017 Present) FMP fundraises and organizes volunteers to support the development of Syringa and Bellevue bike parks, with a focus on Bellevue. Current efforts are to complete Phase II, a shade shelter, and other added amenities for Syringa Park, partnering with Mountain Bike Missoula (MTBM)9. Friends of Marshall Mountain (2021 - Present). FMP serves as the fiscal sponsor for this group. This group is raising funds for purchasing and programming three privately owned tracts of land at Marshall Mountain in East Missoula. Partners include Missoula County, the City of Missoula and private landowners Izzy Dog, LLC, Five Valleys Land Trust, and the Conservation Fund. Missoula County will own the acquired lands, making up the new Marshall Mountain Park, a 350+ acre facility with outdoor recreation opportunities, including the states only purpose-built hand cycle trails, learn to ski area, and loop trails. The park will present historical and environmental outdoor education opportunities, all-access trails, and mountain bike trail networks.10. Clinton Skate Park (2023 present) FMP serves as the fiscal sponsor for this project, located in Clinton, MT with the goal of building a skate park and community center.11. Southside Lions Park (2023 present) FMP serves as the fiscal sponsor for this project, with a goal of a complete redesign of the existing South Lions Park. 12. Rose Memorial Park Restoration (2024-present). FMP
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 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 February 2004.
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.