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City Parks Foundation Inc

EIN 87-1292746 · Newark, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENCOURAGE THE CITY OF NEWARK TO USE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS BY OFFERING COMMUNITY-BUILDING PROGRAMS THAT BRING PEOPLE INTO THEIR LOCAL GREEN SPACES.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 66%
Employees
3
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$153,682, 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 203% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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)
  1. $1.8 million spent. CITY PARKS FOUNDATION, INC. OFFERS FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE WITH THOSE WHO LIVE, WORK AND VISIT THE CITY OF NEWARK. OUR PROGRAMS RANGE FROM ARTS AND CULTURE, HEALTH AND FITNESS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. THE EVENTS INTEND TO WELCOME PEOPLE TO UTILIZE THEIR PUBLIC SPACE AND TO BUILD PARK STEWARDSHIP. WE WORK WITH A VARIETY OF PARTNERS INCLUDING THE CITY OF NEWARK, LOCAL NON-PROFIT, ARTS, AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY BENEFIT THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS. NEW EVENT PROGRAMS ADDED DURING THE YEAR WERE THE FITNESS FESTIVAL, A 3 DAY FESTIVAL OF FITNESS ACTIVATIONS ACROSS ALL 5 PARKS INCLUDING SPORTS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS WORKSHOPS, DANCE CLASSES AND A COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE AND WALK IN MAY 2024, NORTH 2 SHORE AUDIBLE SHOWCASE FEATURING 3 DAYS OF MUSIC AND DANCE PERFORMANCES AND A VENDOR VILLAGE AT HARRIET TUBMAN SQUARE ON JUNE 2024, CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN CULTURE WITH MUSIC AND DANCE PERFORMANCES, VENDORS AND A FOOD PAVILION HELD IN AUGUST 2024, THE OFF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMMING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNITED WAY HOSTING WEEKLY EVENTS WITH AREA PARTNERS TO ENGAGE YOUTH WITH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS DOUBLE DUTCH, STEAM WORKSHOPS, MUSIC AND DANCE CLASSES AND FLAG FOOTBALL (SUMMER 2024).

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.