Chastain Park Conservancy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Conservancy's mission is to restore, enhance, maintain and preserve Chastain Park through the implementation of its 20-year Master Plan. With one eye on Chastain Park's glorious past and another on its promising future, the Conservancy Board and membership are focused on four main objectives:Restore: Update and rehabilitate historic structures and legacy amenities to meet the needs of current and future visitors.Enhance: Add new facilities to improve the Park and continually make it a better experience. Maintain: Utilize efficient management practices to keep Chastain Park safe, clean and green at every level of operation. Preserve: Build a sustainable financial underpinning to ensure that the Conservancy's long-term goals are adequately funded through partnerships and corporate donations.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 56%
- Reserves
- 2.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 723
- Highest pay
- $184,844, executive director
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
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1556% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2528 of 28 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.
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 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 (3)
- $166,222 spent. RestoreIn 2024, the Conservancy advanced its Invasive Plant Removal and Wildlife Restoration Program, opening additional acres of greenspace for public use while protecting habitat and biodiversity. We also launched the 20th Anniversary Green. Grow. Thrive. Capital Campaign, laying the groundwork for the long-awaited restoration of the Palisades and other underutilized areas of the park.
- $228,115 spent. EnhanceThe Conservancy collaborated with all park partners to develop the Discover Chastain Plan, a 20-year vision for the park. A full existing conditions analysis guided this effort, ensuring the plan addresses community needs, preserves historic assets, and builds a roadmap for sustainable and equitable park growth.
- $222,814 spent. MaintainThrough volunteer stewardship and maintenance, the Conservancy kept Chastain Park safe, vibrant, and welcoming for 3.2 million annual visitors. More than 720 volunteers contributed 2,848 hours to trail repairs, habitat restoration, and park beautification, while ongoing projects planted native species, improved crosswalk safety, and preserved historic features.
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 2024.
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 January 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.