Greater Metro Parks Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Greater Metro Parks Foundation's mission is to cultivate a community invested in providing parks and recreation access to all.Its vision is plentiful, equitable access to nature, play, and recreation in Tacoma.
- Income
- $4.4 million
- Spending
- $4.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 55%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $202,853, executive direc
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: 68 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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
Good: 85 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $3.4 million spent. Program Support- The Foundation works in partnership with the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma (MPT) to support mission-priority programs. These include the arts, youth sports and development, fitness and wellness, specialized recreation, heritage and special events. Donations help fill the gap and sustain these programs. For example our community arts programs provide free access to arts in low income communities for health, learning and community, providing access to underserved children and families with opportunities to access league sports play, arts programming, environmental education and exploration, and more.The Foundation also raises and invests endowment funds for sustainable programming.
- $176,307 spent. Park Maintenance - The Foundation supports parks and parks projects throughout the district. Individual parks have special significance their surrounding communities and the foundation offers a way for neighbors to give to their parks. Donors can give to the Chip-In! Program which engages thousands of volunteer park stewards every year who remove invasive species, replace natural areas, clean up garbage, and patrol to maintain safety. The Foundation also manages capital campaigns and leverages district funds to enhance communities and park facilities.
- $2,462 spent. Financial aid, known as the Active Kids Fund, removes barriers by reducing MetroParks program registration fees by 50-75% for hundreds of qualifying families.Through the Active Kids Fund, Children can enjoy activities such as swimming classes,nature education, sports leagues and performing arts lessons. The fund helps youth who otherwise would not have the financial means to get active, build skills, make healthy choices, expand personal expression and experience scientific discovery.Verification of income and proof of residency are required. Every year requests increase and Metro Parks and the Foundation work together to meet the need.
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
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 October 13, 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 July 1995.
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 October 21, 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.