Central Park Conservancy
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
-
Board Oversight
-
Board Size
-
Board Meetings
-
Board Compensation
-
Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
-
Effectiveness Policy
-
Effectiveness Report
Finances
-
Program Expenses
-
Fundraising Expenses
-
Accumulating Funds
-
Audit Report
-
Detailed Expense Breakdown
-
Accurate Expense Reporting
-
Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
-
Truthful Materials
-
Annual Report
-
Website Disclosures
-
Donor Privacy
-
Cause Marketing Disclosures
-
Complaints
Central Park Conservancy meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
MISSION
The mission of the Central Park Conservancy is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from the pace and pressures of city life, enhancing the enjoyment and wellbeing of all.
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
Central Park is a masterpiece of landscape architecture created to provide a profoundly democratic space and green respite for the City and all its people and to establish New York as one of the great cities of the world. The Conservancy honors its commitment to this iconic public space by applying its deep expertise in urban park management; by partnering with the community and the City of New York; and by marshalling all of the resources necessary for the Park’s long-term care. The Conservancy’s work is founded on the belief that citizen leadership and private philanthropy are key to ensuring that the Park and its essential purpose endure.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
The Central Park Conservancy’s work is guided by the belief that Central Park, and all public parks, must be managed and actively protected as an inclusive and democratic space for all. Working closely with our New York City partners, we will always strive towards creating and sustaining a sense of belonging for all visitors and advocating for equitable and accessible public use of the Park. In service of this belief, we are committed to fostering a workforce and organizational culture that is as diverse as Central Park itself and the dynamic city it serves.
CORE VALUES
Commitment
We hold ourselves accountable for the care of Central Park, recognizing both its fragility and its importance to New York City and to the world.
Expertise
We develop our expertise in the service of our mission and share our knowledge to elevate the field of urban park management.
Integrity
We value and demonstrate sound moral and ethical principles in the workplace.
Collaboration
We value the power and effectiveness of working with our colleagues, with the City, and with the public to accomplish our goals as the principal steward of the Park.
Year, State Incorporated:
1980, NY
Central Park is New York City’s 843-acre backyard, an essential space that welcomes over 42 million visitors annually. The City of New York has entrusted the Central Park Conservancy with the complete day-to-day care of this iconic public space, which requires dedicated expertise that we’ve honed during our 40-year history. Conservancy employees tend to the Park’s complex maintenance, restoration, and architectural needs—from horticulture to tree and turf care, trash management, visitor services, and much more—resulting from massive use.
As the stewards of the Park, the Conservancy is committed to serving the public’s best interests and providing the oversight and expertise necessary to ensure that this world-class greenspace is accessible to all. Funded primarily by individual donations, we will raise and invest over $100 million into the Park’s care this year with the sole mission of protecting and improving Central Park in perpetuity. Not only does this allow the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to allocate nearly its entire budget to other parks, but we help generate more than $1 billion in annual economic activity and 5,000 local jobs—a true partnership with the City for the people of New York.
Conservancy public programs take advantage of the invaluable resources in Central Park, each year providing education, recreation and volunteer programs that serve children, teenagers, adults, families, community organizations and schools. In addition, the Conservancy provides services at visitor centers in the Park, including the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Belvedere Castle, Dairy Visitor Center & Gift Shop, and the Chess & Checkers House.
For the year ended June 30, 2024, Central Park Conservancy's program expenses were:
| Davis Center | $39,191,000 |
| Horticulture, maintenance, and operations | $36,680,000 |
| Core planning, design, and construction | $30,910,000 |
| Visitor experience | $7,328,000 |
| Helping other parks | $2,297,000 |
| Total Program Expenses | $116,406,000 |
Chief Executive
Elizabeth Smith, President and CEO
Chair of the Board
Thomas L. Kempner Jr., Board Chairperson
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Board Size
56
Paid Staff Size
402
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Television, Radio, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Membership appeals, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.), Other
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Central Park Conservancy's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $119,517,000 |
| Investment return, net | $51,273,000 |
| Project revenue from the City of New York, Davis Center | $20,418,000 |
| Contract revenue from the City of New York | $15,994,000 |
| Special events revenue, net | $5,117,000 |
| Project revenue from the City of New York | $5,107,000 |
| Employee Retention Credit | $4,398,000 |
| Other | $3,691,000 |
| Total Income | $225,515,000 |
Programs: 82% Fundraising: 7% Administrative: 11%
| Total Income | $225,515,000 |
| Total expenses: | $142,417,000 |
| Program expenses | $116,406,000 |
| Fundraising expenses | $9,694,000 |
| Administrative expenses | $16,317,000 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $83,098,000 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $539,037,000 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $-68,000 |
| Ending Net Assets | $622,067,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $55,356,000 |
| Total Assets | $677,423,000 |
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Meets Standards
-
Standards Not Met
-
Did Not Disclose
-
Review in Progress
-
Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Foundation of Metropolitan New York