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Washington Recreation & Park Association

EIN 91-1271983 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FACILITATE CONNECTIONS,ADVOCATE FOR PROFESSIONALS AND THEIR AGENCIES,AND PROVIDE ROBUST LEARNING AND SKILL ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO EQUITABLY SUPPORT RECREATION,CULTURE,AND PARK PROFESSIONALS.

Income
$520,310
Spending
$596,400
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 67%
Employees
0
Volunteers
38

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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 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 (5)
  1. $116,828 spent. Annual Conference is the premier annual event of the Washington parks and recreation community, traditionally welcoming parks and recreation professionals, sponsors,exhibitors,and speakers, giving opportunity to reconnect,share what is working, and shape what comes next for parks and recreation across Washington.
  2. $11,685 spent. EACH YEAR WRPA HOSTS A FALL TRAINING EVENT TO DEEP DIVE INTO TOPICS RELEVANT TO THE PROFESSION, FOCUSING ON HARD SKILLS LEARNING FOR PARKS PROFESSIONALS
  3. $178,388 spent. THE CERTIFIED PLAYGROUND SAFETY INSPECTOR COURSE IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM ON PLAYGROUND HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT METHODS OFFERED ANYWHERE.
  4. $54,119 spent. EDUCATION AND SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO ENHANCE AND PROMOTE PARKS,RECREATION,ART AND LEISURE PURSUITS IN WASHINGTON STATE.SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO APPROX 2,000+MEMBERS.AND UP TO APPROXIMATELY 4,000 RECREATION AND PARKS PROFESSIONALS IN WASHINGTON STATE
  5. EDUCATION AND SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO ENHANCE 54119. 5497. 166173.

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 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 2025.

    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 June 1988.

    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.