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Greater Hayward Area Recreation & Park Foundation

EIN 94-2901655 · Hayward, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE PARTNERSHIPS AND FOSTER CHARITALBE GIVING TO HELP H.A.R.D CREATE, MAINTAIN, AND OPERATE OUTSTANDING PARKS AND PROGRAMS ACCESSIBLE AND FUN FOR ALL.

Income
$870,260
Spending
$560,826
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
11.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$204,649, exec dir

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 112% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $187,993 spent. THE H.A.R.D. FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO ENSURING RECREATION ACCESS FOR ALL, ENHANCING FAMILY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH, AND SECURING THE FUTURE OF PARKS AND RECREATION IN THE GREATER HAYWARD AREA. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1983, THE H.A.R.D. FOUNDATION HAS STRIVED TO ELEVATE THE QUALITY OF PARK FACILITIES AND RECREATION PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY THE HAYWARD AREA RECREATION & PARK DISTRICT (H.A.R.D.). THE H.A.R.D. FOUNDATION RAISES CRUCIAL FUNDS TO ENSURE EVERY MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY HAS ACCESS TO THESE VITAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS. OUR MISSION UNDERSCORES THE BELIEF THAT INVESTING IN COMMUNITY PARKS AND RECREATION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE OVERALL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY
  2. $93,995 spent. THE H.A.R.D. FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED THE YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GRADES 9TH-12TH. AS YOUTH AMBASSADORS, STUDENTS WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE FEEDBACK TO THE BOARD ON THE NEEDS OF YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY. H.A.R.D. FOUNDATION YOUTH AMBASSADORS WILL ALSO SERVE AS A LIAISON BETWEEN THE FOUNDATION AND LOCAL YOUTH, ENGAGING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, FRIENDS, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
  3. $187,993 spent. OUR GOAL IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE RECREATION PROGRAMS. WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE PHYSICAL FITNESS, MENTAL WELL-BEING, AND SOCIAL INTERACTION, REGARDLESS OF THEIR FINANCIAL STANDING. OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO OPEN DOORS FOR ALL RESIDENTS BY SUBSIDIZING THE COST OF CLASSES FOR QUALIFYING FAMILIES. WHEN FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS ARE REMOVED, RESIDENTS

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on August 15, 2012.

    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 September 2013.

    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.

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.