Red Line Parkway Initiative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
We unite partners and communities to successfully plan, fund, build, and activate a celebrated Parkway that will be enjoyed for generations.
- Income
- $155,626
- Spending
- $172,641
- Reserves
- -10.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Highest pay
- $9,442, executive dir.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 6 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 212% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
- $16,591 spent. Plan: We hosted our first out-of-state speaker, Clyde Higgs, President & CEO of Atlanta Beltline Inc., at our annual State of the Parkway to help illustrate the economic development and community benefits potential of the Red Line Parkway for our neighborhoods and region. We finalized the project proposal for the Red Line Parkway Community Vision and Implementation Strategy in concert with agency and community stakeholders. See more under the Fund section.
- $23,674 spent. Fund: We secured $30MM+ from the City of Austin to build the foundations for land bridges over I-35, also known as caps and stitches, for both Red Line Parkway crossings: at 4th Street and near 43rd Street. See more under the Build section. We were awarded $2MM of federal Transportation Alternatives funding by TxDOT for the Red Line Parkway Community Vision and Implementation Strategy, to be developed from 2026 through 2028. This builds off of the 2024 CapMetro Red Line Trail Study and will create the first-ever community vision for the Red Line Parkway, determine an end-to-end trail alignment, secure the space needed for the trail and linear park, identify funding for timeline-constrained implementation, and determine implementation roles and next steps. We secured $1MM in the CTRMA (Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority) FY26 budget for standalone trail projects, building off of a years-long effort with Austin Outside coalition allies. We presented to and worked with Austin Bond Election Advisory Task Force members to help ensure inclusion of urban trails funding in the proposed November 2026 bond election.
- $27,802 spent. Build: We filled trail gaps as part of upcoming projects in the Plaza Saltillo, Cherrywood, Koenig Lane, Highland, Wooten, North Burnet, and Lakeline areas. We ensured that the design for the I-35 Northern Stitches continued to include a land bridge over I-35 for the Red Line Parkway near 43rd Street. See more under the Fund section.
- $18,539 spent. In 2025, we made great progress on key steps, including securing funding for the Red Line Parkway Community Vision and Implementation Strategy. Our work is described in four program areas: Plan, Fund, Build, and Activate. Our 2025 programming expenses for each area was 19.2%, 27.3%, 32.1%, and 21.4%, respectively. Activate: We broadened our reach through trail activation events and presenting to more community groups.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2018.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.