Charleston Parks Conservancy
Charleston Parks Conservancy maintains strong assets despite recent operational deficits and reports no officer compensation.
EIN: 208375561 · Charleston, SC · NTEE: C42 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $9.0M |
| Total Expenses | $2.1M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| Net Assets | $8.3M |
| Transparency Score | 85/100 |
Is Charleston Parks Conservancy Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Charleston Parks Conservancy directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Charleston Parks Conservancy
Charleston Parks Conservancy (EIN: 208375561) is a nonprofit organization based in Charleston, SC, classified under NTEE code C42. The organization reported total revenue of $9.0M and total assets of $9.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Charleston Parks Conservancy's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Charleston Parks Conservancy is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 19 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 0.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.1M |
| Total Expenses | $2.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-969,698 |
| Total Assets | $9.0M |
| Total Liabilities | $638K |
| Net Assets | $8.3M |
| Operating Margin | -87.1% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 7.1% |
| Months of Reserves | 51.7 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Charleston Parks Conservancy reported a deficit of $970K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 51.7 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 7.1% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Charleston Parks Conservancy's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +0.4% | -4.7% | +9.6% |
| 2022 | -32.5% | +41.8% | -23.1% |
| 2021 | +34.5% | -17.8% | +8.6% |
| 2020 | -16.9% | -12.5% | -1.2% |
| 2019 | -25.5% | -13.2% | +0.5% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2007 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Charleston Parks Conservancy with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Charleston Parks Conservancy allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $970K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 7.1%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating either a volunteer leadership model or that executive compensation is not categorized in a way that triggers this specific reporting, which is a strong positive for resource allocation to mission.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Charleston Parks Conservancy's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operational deficits in recent years (e.g., 202312 and 202212), indicating spending exceeds annual revenue.
- Lack of detailed functional expense breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in the provided data makes precise efficiency assessment difficult.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Charleston Parks Conservancy:
- Strong and stable asset base, consistently around $9-11 million, indicating long-term financial health.
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, suggesting efficient use of funds at the leadership level.
- Long filing history (13 filings) demonstrates sustained operation and transparency.
- Low liabilities relative to assets in most years, indicating good financial management.
Frequently Asked Questions about Charleston Parks Conservancy
Is Charleston Parks Conservancy a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Charleston Parks Conservancy (EIN: 208375561) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 2 red flags identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Charleston Parks Conservancy spend its money?
Charleston Parks Conservancy directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Charleston Parks Conservancy tax-deductible?
Charleston Parks Conservancy is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 208375561). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Charleston Parks Conservancy's spending goes to programs?
Charleston Parks Conservancy directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Charleston Parks Conservancy compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 85/100 (Excellent), Charleston Parks Conservancy is above average for NTEE category C42 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Charleston Parks Conservancy located?
Charleston Parks Conservancy is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina and files with the IRS under EIN 208375561. It is classified under NTEE code C42.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Charleston Parks Conservancy have?
Charleston Parks Conservancy has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $9.0M in total revenue.
Is Charleston Parks Conservancy a good charity?
Based on the available data, the Charleston Parks Conservancy appears to be a good charity. It maintains a strong asset base (around $9-11 million), consistently reports 0% officer compensation, and has a long history of filings, suggesting stability and commitment to its mission. While recent years show operational deficits, the overall financial health appears robust.
How does the 'Latest Revenue' of $8,990,309 compare to historical trends?
The 'Latest Revenue' of $8,990,309 is significantly higher than the typical annual revenues reported in the filing history, which usually range from $1.1 million to $2.0 million. This suggests it might be an exceptional event, such as a major capital campaign or a large one-time grant, rather than a new normal for operational revenue.
What is the trend in the organization's assets?
The organization's assets have remained consistently strong, generally fluctuating between $9 million and $11 million over the past decade, indicating good long-term financial stewardship and stability.
Why are there operational deficits in recent years?
In recent years, such as 202312 (Expenses $2,083,045 vs. Revenue $1,113,347) and 202212 (Expenses $2,184,859 vs. Revenue $1,108,798), the organization has spent more than its annual revenue. This suggests they may be drawing down reserves, utilizing funds from prior surpluses, or relying on specific project-based funding not fully reflected in the annual revenue figures to cover operational costs.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Charleston Parks Conservancy showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Charleston Parks Conservancy's revenue has grown by 10.4%, moving from $1.0M to $1.1M. Total assets decreased by 7.9% over the same period, from $9.7M to $9.0M. Total functional expenses rose by 192.6%, from $712K to $2.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Charleston Parks Conservancy reported a deficit of $970K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $638K in liabilities against $9.0M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 7.1%), resulting in net assets of $8.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.1M | $2.1M | $9.0M | $638K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $1.1M | $2.2M | $8.2M | $174K | — | — |
| 2021 | $1.6M | $1.5M | $10.6M | $65K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $1.2M | $1.9M | $9.8M | $152K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.5M | $2.1M | $9.9M | $177K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $2.0M | $2.5M | $9.9M | $249K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $1.7M | $1.7M | $11.1M | $78K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.6M | $1.5M | $10.5M | $241K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $945K | $1.0M | $10.3M | $516K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $2.1M | $2.2M | $10.8M | $532K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.5M | $819K | $10.4M | $58K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $711K | $696K | $9.8M | $31K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.0M | $712K | $9.7M | $28K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $9.0M (revenue +0.4% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $8.2M (revenue -32.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $10.6M (revenue +34.5% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.9M, and assets of $9.8M (revenue -16.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $9.9M (revenue -25.5% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $2.5M, and assets of $9.9M (revenue +16.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $1.7M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $11.1M (revenue +7.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $10.5M (revenue +67.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $945K, expenses of $1.0M, and assets of $10.3M (revenue -53.9% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $2.1M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $10.8M (revenue +35.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.5M, expenses of $819K, and assets of $10.4M (revenue +112.8% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $711K, expenses of $696K, and assets of $9.8M (revenue -29.5% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $712K, and assets of $9.7M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Charleston Parks Conservancy:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Charleston Parks Conservancy is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.