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The Bay Park Conservancy Inc

EIN 81-4653473 · Sarasota, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE BAY PARK CONSERVANCY (BPC) WAS FORMED TO IMPLEMENT THE MASTER PLAN APPROVED BY THE SARASOTA CITY COMMISSION TO CONSERVE 53 ACRES OF PUBLIC LAND FOR A SIGNATURE PARK ALONG SARASOTA BAY. THE BPC ENTERED A LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY TO HELP FUND, DEVELOP, OPERATE, MAINTAIN AND PROGRAM THE SIGNATURE PARK FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY NOW, AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

Income
$28.9 million
Spending
$24.7 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 76%
Employees
11
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$164,444, chief financial officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 82% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 December 31, 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 (1)
  1. $24.2 million spent. The Bay Park Conservancy is leading the planning, development and management of a signature public park along Sarasota Bay known as "The Bay". Designed to be "One Park for All", The Bay is open and accessible, free and welcoming to the full and rich diversity of the community, now and for generations to come. The Bay conserves, preserves and transforms 53 acres of precious city-owned land along Sarasota Bay into a blue and green oasis, providing a sustainable bayfront gathering place to the community to experience and enjoy a wide range of uses, free programs and events. The first 12 acre phase of the park opened in October 2022 to more than 50,000 people. Since then, there have been more than one million visitors to the park. The second 12 acre phase began construction in the summer of 2024 and will cost an estimated $65m, $48m of which is being funded by a tax increment financing district revenue backed City bond, and the $17m balance from private donations and other government grants. The following three projects were completed in 2025: (1) The rehabilitation, renovation, and repurposing of architecturally, culturally, and historically significant buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bayfront Community Center, the Former Chidsey Public Library, and the Sarasota Garden Club. (2) The rehabilitation and rebuilding of the south seawall at the 10th Street public boat launch basin, and the addition of new more resilient day docks. (3) The addition of redesigned, new, and improved park frontage on North Tamiami Trail, including landscaped and tree lined bicycle and walking paths, and an upgraded parking lot. Phase 2 construction will continue in 2026 and be completed in 2027. The park will be completed in three phases in 9 to 10 years for an estimated capital cost of $175-200m.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 June 2017.

    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 November 4, 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.