Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

San Diego Parks Foundation

EIN 83-2553368 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To improve the quality of life of communities throughout the city of San Diego through equitable investments in parks, greenspace, and recreational opportunities.Vison - Every San Diegan has access to quality recreational facilities as part of a safe, healthy, resilient, and thriving community.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
4
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$135,833, president & ceo

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $1.0 million spent. COME PLAY OUTSIDE AND PARKS AFTER DARK Come Play Outside was launched in 2021 and Parks After Dark was added in 2022. These programs provide summer recreational experiences to thousands of youth and families in San Diego. The expanded program served more than 46,000 people in 2022. In 2024, Parks After Dark once again served 46,000, and our summer camp programming and year-round enhancements through Come Play Outside served more than 16,000 youth.
  2. $596,842 spent. URBAN FORESTRY & GREENINGGrowing the urban canopy by planting trees helps reduce pollutant run-off, mitigates climate change, and enhances safety and enjoyment. More than 350 trees have been planted. Other initiatives, include establishing the first program garden and the first community garden in a city park were completed in 2024.
  3. $224,365 spent. General ProgramsThe San Diego Parks Foundation (SDPF) was established in 2018 to support park facilities and programs. SDPFs vision is every San Diegan has access to quality recreational facilities as part of a safe, healthy, resilient, and thriving community. SDPFs mission is to improve the quality of life of communities throughout San Diego through equitable investments in parks, greenspace, and outdoor recreational opportunities. SDPFs offers three pillars of support: Activating Public Spaces, Investing and Beautifying Park Facilities, and has become a leading local voice in advocating for adopting and changing park policies that have contributed to reducing systemic inequities.
  4. $93,233 spent. PARK AMBASSADOR PROGRAMThe Park Ambassador program is a youth leadership initiative that provides participating young adults 16-24 the opportunity to learn and prepare for careers in public service, gain valuable leadership skills, build their resume and career path and make life-long connections. The program launched in April 2022 and a total of 124 youth have graduated the program.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 January 2019.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: U C San Diego Foundation (La Jolla, CA), EIN 95-2872494. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.