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Nonprofiteer
← FRIENDS OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by FRIENDS OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS.

Totals

Total revenue
$1,670,285
Total expenses
$1,313,207
Contributions and grants received
$1,401,796
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$281,934
Investment income
$649
Other revenue
-$14,094
Total assets, end of year
$1,041,737
Total liabilities, end of year
$311,128
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$730,609
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$929,705
Management and general expenses
$139,223
Fundraising expenses
$244,279
Program service expenses (Part III)
$929,705

Program services were 70.8% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $21,794

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $906,660

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $473,342

  • 2a · Program service revenue: PROGRAM REVENUE

    total $281,934 · related or exempt $281,934

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $1,302 · excluded $1,302

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    other assets $653

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    other assets -$653

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$653 · excluded -$653

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $7,240

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $21,794

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $22,685

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$15,445 · excluded -$15,445

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $194

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $194 · related or exempt $194

  • 11a · Other revenue: OTHER INCOME

    total $1,157 · related or exempt $1,157

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $1,157

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $99,985 · program services $59,991 · management and general $3,000 · fundraising $36,994

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $350,441 · program services $210,265 · management and general $10,513 · fundraising $129,663

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $6,024 · program services $3,615 · management and general $180 · fundraising $2,229

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $32,987 · program services $19,792 · management and general $990 · fundraising $12,205

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $37,980 · program services $4,855 · management and general $12,573 · fundraising $20,552

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $39,164 · management and general $39,164

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $19,837 · fundraising $19,837

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $89,450 · program services $85,484 · fundraising $3,966

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $9,750 · program services $1,121 · management and general $8,052 · fundraising $577

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $6,319 · management and general $6,319

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $17,052 · program services $10,231 · management and general $512 · fundraising $6,309

  • 17 · Travel

    total $11,452 · program services $4,705 · management and general $6,136 · fundraising $611

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $6,241 · program services $6,241

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $14,593 · program services $1,370 · management and general $13,223

  • 24a · Other expenses: PARK SPECIFIC PROGRAM E

    total $381,859 · program services $381,859

  • 24b · Other expenses: SUBCONTRACTOR

    total $72,395 · program services $72,395

  • 24c · Other expenses: EVENT EXPENSES

    total $34,952 · program services $34,511 · management and general $441

  • 24d · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT EXPENSES

    total $23,884 · program services $18,805 · management and general $5,079

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $58,842 · program services $14,465 · management and general $33,041 · fundraising $11,336

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $141,154 · end of year $424,266

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $34,226 · end of year $384,127

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $4,932 · end of year $11,219

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $64,325

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $31,270

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,835 · end of year $33,055

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $84,074 · end of year $93,962

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $15,480 · end of year $95,108

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $24,973 · end of year $51,756

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    end of year $33,396

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $16,420 · end of year $225,976

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $109,799 · end of year $403,443

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $130,509 · end of year $327,166

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO CULTIVATE VIBRANT PARKS, GREEN SPACES, AND TREES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Activities or mission (Part I)

WE WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY AND CITY TO PLANT, GROW, AND MAINTAIN PARKS, TREES, AND TRAILS TO ENSURE THE HEALTHIEST CITY IN NORTH AMERICA! OUR MISSION DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE VISION FOR THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS AND RECREATION IN CREATING AND SUPPORTING A HEALTHY, VIBRANT COMMUNITY. WHEN WE ARE SUCCESSFUL, THE COMMUNITY IS SUCCESSFUL!

  • THE URBAN FOREST PROJECT (UFP) IS PROGRAM OF FRIENDS OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS THAT WORKS TO ENGAGE CITIZENS TO HELP ADD TO THE 2011 GREEN GRAND RAPIDS AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S MASTER PLAN TO ESTABLISH A 40% TREE CANOPY GOAL IN GRAND RAPIDS. THE PROJECT COLLABORATES WITH THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS FORESTRY DEPARTMENT TO INVOLVE NEIGHBORS IN EXPANDING THE URBAN TREE CANOPY. IN ORDER TO HELP REACH THE 40% CANOPY COVER GOAL WE PROVIDE NEIGHBORS WITH TREE-PLANTING RESOURCES IN UNDERSERVED PUBLIC AREAS, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO ENCOURAGE TREE PLANTING, AND OFFER MINI GRANT AND OTHER TREE PLANTING OPPORTUNITIES. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP NEIGHBORS UNDERSTAND THAT TREES PROVIDE MYRIAD BENEFITS, LIKE LEAD ABATEMENT, STORM WATER MANAGEMENT, REDUCTION IN THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT, AND PROVIDE HABITAT FOR MANY ANIMALS. OUR EXPLORE YOUR PARKS PROGRAM IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE FRIENDS OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS AND THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS TO RECLAIM AND SUSTAIN PARKS THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM AND SPONSORSHIP. OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS REPRESENTED BY RESIDENTS AND GROUPS. COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IS CRITICAL TO CREATING A GREAT PARK SYSTEM WITH ONGOING SUPPORT. OUR PROGRAMS ARE ESSENTIAL SO THAT WE CAN EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHY PARKS ARE VITAL FOR INCREASING QUALITY OF LIFE BY PROVIDING PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, AND SOCIAL ELEMENTS THAT IMPACT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY WE PROMOTE WHY PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES ARE ESSENTIAL GATHERING PLACES THAT ADD TO THE HEALTH OF OUR CITIZENS AND THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

    Expenses $525,376 · Revenue $281,934

  • PARKS AND TREE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY AND EVENTS - FRIENDS OF GR PARKS HOSTS OVER 60+ SPECIAL EVENTS TO BUILD COMMUNITY AND ENGAGE NEIGHBORS THROUGH PARKS AND TREES. OUR VOLUNTEERS GATHER TO SPRUCE-UP PARKS OR PLANT AND MAINTAIN TREES. THESE OPPORTUNITIES ALLOW BOTH SEASONED AND NOVICE FGRP VOLUNTEERS TO GAIN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH OUR PARKS AND FORESTRY TOOLS. AS PART OF A COMMITMENT TO ENGAGING COMMUNITY AROUND ADVOCACY FOR PARKS, FRIENDS OF GR PARKS COLLABORATES WITH GR PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER TO GIVE INPUT ON NEW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE IN PARKS OUTLINED IN THE PARKS AND RECREATION 5-YEAR MASTER PLAN. THROUGH OUR WORK, WE BRING TOGETHER THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP THE ACTIVATION, ADVOCACY, AND VOLUNTEERISM MOMENTUM GOING IN OUR GREEN SPACES.OUR PROGRAMS ARE ESSENTIAL SO THAT WE CAN EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHY PARKS ARE VITAL FOR INCREASING QUALITY OF LIFE BY PROVIDING PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, AND SOCIAL ELEMENTS THAT IMPACT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY WE PROMOTE WHY PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES ARE ESSENTIAL GATHERING PLACES THAT ADD TO THE HEALTH OF OUR CITIZENS AND THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. OUR PARKS CREATE A BACKYARD FOR MANY WHO MAY NOT HAVE ONE. PARKS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN ONE COMMON SPACE TO UNIFY IN GRIEF, PROTEST, OR CELEBRATION. THROUGH OUR WORK, WE BRING TOGETHER THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITY'S PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO KEEP THE ACTIVATION, ADVOCACY, AND VOLUNTEERISM MOMENTUM GOING. FRIENDS FOCUSES ON CREATING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES THAT HELP TO CREATE PARK AND TREE ADVOCATES, ORGANIZE MORE VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND VIBRANT PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES.

    Expenses $404,329 · Revenue $1,351

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Susan Clark

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Brandon List

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • John McCrackin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Eddie Tadlock

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Evette Pittman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Gail Gunst Heffner

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lauren Parker

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mary Williams

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Danielle Poma

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Molly Cook

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Oliverio Covarrubias

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Victor Holt

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Richard App

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sara Acker

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Stacy Bare

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $99,985
    From this org
    $97,073
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $2,912
    Hours/week
    45

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
12 August 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202502249349302100

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