Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation

What it reported doing in 2024

Park Acquisition, Preservation, and Enhancement - The Parks Foundation contributes funds to support programs and activities in Sonoma County Regional Parks. Parks Foundation funding was directed to the following major projects in 2024-25:- A rainwater catchment system consisting of two tanks that can store over 45,000 gallons of water. The tanks were installed at Helen Putnam Regional Park: one near the parking lot restrooms on Chileno Valley Road and another by ranger housing. The stored water will be used to water sheep that graze at the park, managing fuel loads and promoting the growth of native wildflowers. The innovative water catchment system not only conserves groundwater and reduces reliance on the parks well, but also serves as a backup resource for fire suppression when needed.- Phase 1 reconstruction of Foothill Regional Park in Windsor, California, after the Kincade Fire. Reconstruction included a spectacular mosaic, titled Resilience, an 88-foot-long curved tile seat wall created by artist Angelina Duckett. The mosaic depicts the parks ecosystem recovery and native flora following the wildfire. The artwork acts as a gathering area and educational space near the park's entrance.- Provided initial funding for the reconstruction of Larson Park, located in The Springs neighborhood of the Sonoma Valley. - Concluded the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Spring Lake Regional Park, including a photo contest and equestrian picnic and ride. Funds raised during the year-long celebration supported improvements at Spring Lake Regional Park.- Regional Parks natural resources projects, including fire preparedness (vegetation management, creation of shaded fuel breaks, grazing to remove fire fuels) and protection of endangered plants and animals. The Parks Foundation focused with Regional Parks on purchasing and installing bear-proof garbage and recycling receptacles, as well as bear-proof food lockers, at Gualala Point Regional Park. - Installation of amenities like benches and picnic tables at Regional Parks- Tools and equipment to help Regional Parks' staff more successfully do their jobs, including an EV ATV, as well as electric tools to reduce parks carbon emissions.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 85.2%; rating input score 85
• Program expense ratio: 88.6%; rating input score 89
• Fundraising efficiency: $24.67 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 64; 64th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 62
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 5.2%; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.32; rating input score 52; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 7.4%; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 11.8% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.8% per year; rating input score 100; 54th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.3% per year; rating input score 100; 31st percentile among comparable filings