Hermann Park Conservancy

What it reported doing in 2024

Hermann 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 earned income strategies that support long-term care. Continued on Schedule O. At the same time, HPC is executing a 10-year implementation plan to bring to life the Park's final components of the updated master plan - an ambitious, community-informed vision that meets the needs of today while building for future generations.Park Programs and Maintenance: Stewardship and Park Operations: Hermann Park Conservancy stewards the Park's natural landscapes, tree canopy, and high-use public spaces with a focus on long-term environmental health and exceptional daily care. With the openings of the Commons and McWilliams Dog Park, Conservancy-managed acreage has more than doubled. These destinations now join the McGovern Centennial Gardens as areas under full Conservancy management, contributing to a 30 percent increase in annual operational needs. Through the urban land management, forestry, and maintenance programs, the Conservancy oversees more than 13,000 trees, leads habitat restoration efforts across the Park, and cares for these spaces with the support of expert horticulture staff, a natural areas team, and a Park-wide maintenance program that supplements the City's work, including regular care in the Japanese Garden. HPC's robust volunteer program, established in 2003, further strengthens this stewardship and mission, contributing more than 30,000 hours of Park care each year. Community Engagement and Programming: Hermann Park Conservancy enriches the visitor experience through free or low-cost programming that welcomes Houstonians of all ages into the Park. Our community offerings span beloved annual traditions and new creative initiatives, including the internationally recognized "The Great Elephant Migration" installation, which brought 100 extraordinary, life-sized elephant sculptures into the landscape. Signature events such as the Park to Port Bike Ride and Run in the Park remain core touchpoints for thousands of residents each year, building connection and encouraging active enjoyment of the Park's greenspaces. With Art in the Park, the public art program established in 2014, the Conservancy continues to present rotating public art and cultural installations that invite curiosity, exploration, and repeat visitation. Other ongoing programming further animates the Park, including student performances, the Garden & Nature Series, and a growing array of workshops, family activities, and topic-based events. This type of community engagement is an evolving priority for the Conservancy, and we intend to deepen, expand, and diversify programming in the years ahead so that Hermann Park remains a place of learning, creativity, and joy for all who visit.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 59.7%; rating input score 60
• Program expense ratio: 86.1%; rating input score 86
• Fundraising efficiency: $13.33 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: No; rating input score 0

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 97.6%; rating input score 98; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 34.9%; rating input score 90; 90th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 6.52; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.06; rating input score 82; 82nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 9.7%; rating input score 22; 22nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.5% per year; rating input score 100; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.4% per year; rating input score 100; 47th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 8.6% per year; rating input score 100; 58th percentile among comparable filings