Hermann Park Conservancy
Hermann Park Conservancy reported $15.5 million in revenue and $10.1 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $86.13 went to program services, $6.54 to management and general costs and $7.33 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 63.6% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $179,681 (President (thru 08/24)). 7 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 3% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $10MFor context, the median across 371 covered environment charities: $85.82 programs, $10.80 management, $3.38 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $16M- Contributions & grants (non-government)$62.67 $9.9M
- Program service revenue$29.23 $4.6M
- Investment income$8.10 $1.3M
Other revenue was negative: −$236K. The bar shows the positive sources only.
The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 86.1% | 83.6% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 6.5% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 7.3% | 3.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.08 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 63.6% | 87.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 4.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 29.7% | 3.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $179,681 | $293,532 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.78% | 1.74% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 73.8 | 18.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 41 of 42 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseHermann Park Conservancy (HPC) exists to ensure that Hermann Park remains one of the most vibrant, welcoming, and well-used urban parks in the country. As a public-private partner to the City of Houston, HPC focuses on long-term planning, capital improvements, stewardship, and visitor services across the Park's 445 acres. Current activities include the operation of major Park assets such as the McGovern Centennial Gardens, Lott Hall, McWilliams Dog Park, and the Commons - a new destination for play and gathering. HPC oversees volunteer and conservation programs, forestry management, and…
Visitor Services and Facility Rentals: The Conservancy's visitor services and facility rentals are earned income areas and provide popular amenities and offerings for Park visitors. The visitor services department operates the Hermann Park Railroad, pedal boats, Park cafes, Lott Family Carousel, and oversees the gift shop in Lake Plaza. We also receive revenue from the facility rentals program for spaces available in the McGovern Centennial Gardens and Lott Hall. When the Commons opened in 2024, income opportunities were part of the operational plans. These include rental of the site's three…
Planning, Design, and Construction: Hermann Park Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Houston and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, developed a new master plan in 2017 that reimagines the Park through the lenses of play, nature, access, and mobility - priorities identified through extensive community input. With transformational projects like the Commons and the McWilliams Dog Park now complete, HPC is launching a coordinated 10-year final projects plan. Continued on Schedule O. This plan includes restoration or renovation of the following areas: - North Lake restoration and habitat…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| President (thru 08/24) Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $175,967 | $0 | $3,714 | $179,681 |
| Project Manager Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $149,997 | $0 | $12,861 | $162,858 |
| President (as of 08/24) Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $138,498 | $0 | $3,541 | $142,039 |
| CFO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $130,436 | $0 | $5,518 | $135,954 |
| COO Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $108,531 | $0 | $13,003 | $121,534 |
| Senior Dir. - Advancement Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $109,540 | $0 | $11,272 | $120,812 |
| Senior Dir. - Greenspace Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $109,457 | $0 | $6,851 | $116,308 |
7 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Hermann Park Conservancy (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $500K (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b42 · 41 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5102
- Volunteers Part I, line 67,144
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| Forney Construction LLC Construction | $9,847,256 |
| Michael Van Valkenburgh Assoc Design services | $673,776 |
| Landscape Art Inc Landscaping services | $650,289 |
| Chance Rides Manufacturing Inc Construction | $564,854 |
| Encore One LLC Contract labor | $253,413 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 17 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
49 private foundations reported grants to Hermann Park Conservancy totaling $2.1M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Hermann Park Conservancy's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Hermann Park Conservancy, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Hermann Park Conservancy spent in FY2025, $86.13 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- The Archaeological ConservancyAlbuquerque, NM · revenue $15M · programs 76.0% · FY2025
- Resources for the FutureWashington, DC · revenue $16M · programs 74.4% · FY2025
- Climate Jobs National Resource CenterNew York, NY · revenue $15M · programs 87.7% · 2024
- Buzzards Bay CoalitionNew Bedford, MA · revenue $16M · programs 84.3% · 2024
- Children's Health DefenseFranklin Lakes, NJ · revenue $15M · programs 70.8% · 2024
Questions people ask
How much of Hermann Park Conservancy's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Hermann Park Conservancy reported that 86.1% of its $10.1 million in expenses went to program services, 6.5% to management and general and 7.3% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Hermann Park Conservancy pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Hermann Park Conservancy reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $179,681, for the role of President (thru 08/24) (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Hermann Park Conservancy get its money?
Of $15.5 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 63.6% came from contributions and grants and 29.7% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Hermann Park Conservancy a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 76-0327389 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202611129349300521 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202501349349306835 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202411319349305001 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202301359349307855 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202231369349311703 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202101139349300140 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 76-0327389: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.