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Parks California

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 831523594 ✦ Sacramento, CA ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Parks California?

Parks California is a nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, California, with 19 employees. Their mission is to strengthen California State Parks and inspire people to experience these extraordinary places. They believe in the importance of connecting people to nature and closing nature-equity gaps by identifying and addressing barriers that have kept communities from experiencing their treasured natural and cultural resources. Their initiatives include school field trips, adventure passes, route to parks grants, and community engagement programs in urban parks. In terms of conservation and climate resiliency, Parks California acknowledges the essential worth of nature for our planetary health. With California State Parks, they bring together communities and partners from across the state to accelerate and scale efforts to tackle the conservation and climate challenges facing their valued landscapes. Projects involve landscape stewardship, climate fellowship, and career pathways grants. The health of California's parks benefits from collaborative stewardship and community connections. Parks California operates on a new and more sustainable model for public-private partnerships, ensuring protected lands remain resilient while meeting the evolving needs of all people. Projects include reimagining Big Basin, nonprofit partner studies, virtual adventure apps, and outdoor spatial apps. For more details about the project impact, one can refer to the 2022 annual report available on their website.


Official website here: www.parkscalifornia.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 100% - Four-Star out of Four Star Rating

Parks California has achieved a remarkable 100% rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong commitment to accountability and financial health. The organization has successfully established an independent board with 87% of its members being independent, indicating robust governance. Its financial oversight mechanisms are well-structured, with no material diversion of assets reported, signifying transparency and trustworthiness in its operations.

The nonprofit excels in its financial management, with a program expense ratio of 73.02%, meaning a significant portion of its resources is directed towards fulfilling its mission. Additionally, the organization maintains rigorous policies regarding conflict of interest, whistleblower protections, and document retention, further enhancing its accountability framework.

While the rating indicates excellent performance, it does not delve into qualitative aspects such as community impact or program effectiveness. However, the strong financial and governance metrics presented suggest that Parks California is effectively utilizing its resources to support its initiatives.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

Is Parks California legitimate?

Parks California is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Parks California submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $632,689
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $1,140,561

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.parkscalifornia.org

What is the mission statement of Parks California?

Parks California, as the statutory non-profit partner of California State Parks, has a clear mission: to help strengthen parks and inspire all people to experience these extraordinary places. The organization's mission is focused on promoting equity and access to nature, believing that a connection to nature is fundamental to our well-being. They strive to close nature-equity gaps by connecting people to nature and facilitating connections between communities and parks, addressing barriers that have kept them from experiencing firsthand California's treasured natural and cultural resources. In addition, Parks California works on conservation and climate resilience, protecting natural ecosystems and addressing challenges from climate impacts and increased visitation. They are also committed to ensuring the health of California's parks by collaborative stewardship and community connections, working on projects that focus on landscape stewardship, climate fellowship, and career pathways grant. Their efforts aim to ensure protected lands remain resilient, meeting the evolving needs of all people, and ensuring parks remain relevant and accessible for future generations.


Official website here: www.parkscalifornia.org

Who is the CEO of Parks California?

Kindley Walsh Lawlor is the Board Director, President & Ceo of Parks California. The CEO's salary of Parks California is $221,409 and their total compensation is $264,379.


Official website here: www.parkscalifornia.org

What is the revenue of Parks California?

Parks California's revenue in 2022 was $4,195,374.


Official website here: www.parkscalifornia.org

Who are the executives of Parks California and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Parks California during 2022 was $93,329. There are 19 employees and 15 volunteers at Parks California.


Here are 15 key members and their salaries (Parks California's CEO's salary is $221,409 and their total compensation is $264,379):


Stephen Lockhart (Board Director - Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Deanna Mackey (Board Director - Vice Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Tony Lillios (Board Director - Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jose Gonzalez (Board Director - Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Rosie Clayburn (Board Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Michael Mantell (Board Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Dawn Ortiz-Legg (Board Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kindley Walsh Lawlor (Board Director, President & Ceo)
  • Compensation: $221,409
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $42,970
Heana Chung (Vice President Of Operations & Finance)
  • Compensation: $179,690
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $18,870
Geoff Kish (Vice President Of Programs)
  • Compensation: $161,634
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $8,115
Myrian Solis Coronel (Director Of Community Engagement)
  • Compensation: $131,749
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $18,053
Michael Bridges (Director Of Development, Individuals)
  • Compensation: $117,151
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $37,242
Scott Klein (Director Of Development, Corporations & Foundation)
  • Compensation: $121,977
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $6,121
Will Fourt (Big Basin Sr. Project Manager)
  • Compensation: $119,375
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $12,976
Meredith Wade (Finance Manager)
  • Compensation: $103,774
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $12,250


Official website here: www.parkscalifornia.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Parks California?

Parks California's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.parkscalifornia.org

Learn more at the official website: www.parkscalifornia.org

Mission Statement of Parks California

Parks California, a California State Parks' statutory non-profit partner, is dedicated to strengthening parks and inspiring people to experience these extraordinary places. Their mission is clear - to help parks and facilitate connections between people and nature.

The organization believes that a connection to nature is fundamental to our well-being, improving physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as the health of our communities. To this end, Parks California deepened its commitment to ensuring access to parks in 2022 by expanding opportunities in rural and urban parks and working to facilitate people-to-park connections that would not have otherwise been possible.

In addition to promoting equitable access, Parks California also focuses on conservation and climate resilience. They recognize the inherent worth of nature and work to protect California's parks, which are home to the largest and most diverse state park system in the country. The organization faces the challenges posed by climate impacts and increased visitation by bringing together communities and partners from across the state to accelerate and scale efforts to tackle the conservation and climate challenges facing California's valued landscapes.

Projects undertaken by Parks California include, but are not limited to, School Field Trip - Passport, Adventure Pass Grant, Route to Parks Grant, Community Engagement - Urban Parks Programming & Low-Cost Accommodation Study, Landscape Stewardship, Climate Fellowship, and Career Pathways Grant. The organization's impact details are provided in the 2022 Annual Report, which is posted on their website.

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Impact




June, 2024

Parks California's impact can be seen in its efforts to enhance equity and access to nature for all individuals. By working to connect people to nature and communities to parks, Parks California is addressing barriers that have previously hindered individuals from experiencing the benefits of interacting with natural ecosystems. Through programs like the School Field Trip Passport, Adventure Pass Grant, and Urban Parks Programming, Parks California is actively closing nature-equity gaps and fostering a sense of belonging within the environment.

Furthermore, Parks California is dedicated to conservation and climate resiliency, recognizing the critical importance of intact and flourishing natural ecosystems for planetary health. By collaborating with California State Parks and various partners, Parks California is actively engaging in landscape stewardship, climate fellowship programs, and career pathways grants to address conservation and climate challenges facing the state's valuable landscapes.

Additionally, Parks California's focus on parks for the future highlights its commitment to sustainable public-private partnerships and innovative approaches to ensuring the resilience and relevance of protected lands for future generations. Through projects like reimagining Big Basin, developing virtual adventure apps, and conducting partner studies, Parks California is paving the way for the stewardship and accessibility of parks in the years to come.

Overall, Parks California's impact is evident in its multifaceted approach to strengthening parks, promoting nature equity, advancing conservation efforts, and fostering community connections to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to experience and benefit from California's natural and cultural resources.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Parks California. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$4,195,374 (2022)
Expenses
$4,479,142 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $87,387
  • Program Service Revenue: $1,276,164
  • Gross Receipts: $4,195,374

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $8,233,413
  • Total Liabilities: $3,377,839
  • Net Assets: $4,855,574

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

CONTRACT REVENUE

Revenue

$1,276,164

Organization Details

Founding Year

2018

Principal Officer

Kindley Walsh Lawlor

Main Address

400 CAPITOL MALL SUITE 900, SACRAMENTO, CA, 95814

NTEE Category

Code: C36 - Environment

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