The mission of the Memorial Park Conservancy is to restore, preserve and enhance Memorial Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians, today and tomorrow.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
71¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 2,319 volunteers and 59 employees.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · People: Part I, lines 5–6

Before you give

FY2025 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
4 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $2.1M a year · 9% of revenue · last 6 filings
Fine: a surplus in 4 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
71%
of spending
Fine: 71% of spending went to programs; 65% to 75%.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$1.4M
to officers and key staff · 12% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 12% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
6 mo
of spending, in cash
Plus $40.3M in investments, Pt X · Ln 11–13
Looks good: 5.6 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
5
named funders · $799K
Looks good: 5 funders name it on their filings; 3 or more.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$1.4M
2% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 2% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
25
of 25 voting members
Looks good: 25 of 25 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$22.0M
+17% vs prior year
Spent
$12.3M
To programs
71%
Net assets
$56.2M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$22.0M
FY2025▲ +17%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$21.0M
FY2021$34.0M
FY2022$32.4M
FY2023$10.4M
FY2024$18.9M
FY2025$22.0M
Expenses
$12.3M
FY2025▼ -10%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$24.1M
FY2021$30.4M
FY2022$20.2M
FY2023$25.6M
FY2024$13.7M
FY2025$12.3M
Net assets
$56.2M
FY2025▲ +24%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$38.7M
FY2021$42.4M
FY2022$54.5M
FY2023$39.2M
FY2024$45.2M
FY2025$56.2M

From the FY2025 Form 990 (year ending May 2025) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Oct 2000.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

71 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 71% · $8.8M Management & general 19% · $2.3M Fundraising 10% · $1.3M

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

32 people listed on the 990; $1.4M paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2024); the FY2025 filing did not itemize Part VII
President & CEO (thru 10/24)
$494,833Pt VII · Sec A
COO, President & CEO
$244,787Pt VII · Sec A
Vice President of Engagement
$198,353Pt VII · Sec A
Director of Human Resources
$157,789Pt VII · Sec A
Controller
$126,792Pt VII · Sec A
Director of Annual Giving
$108,028Pt VII · Sec A
Senior Director of Park Operations
$107,315Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Shellye Arnold’s $495K as President & CEO (thru 10/24) is at the 91st percentile of top reported officer pay among 324 $10–100M environment nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Shellye Arnold$494,833$444,743$408,461$353,718$302,273$247,109
Randy Odinet—$205,696$303,538$275,731$242,500$183,077
Cara Lambright————$289,631$171,297
Chris Ballard$244,787$59,101————
Holli Clements$198,353$175,510$146,977$119,613——
Elizabeth Taylor$157,789$112,765————
Corri Pfeiffenberger——$144,231———
Carolyn White————$134,000$113,552

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Restores, preserves, and enhances a large urban park for community enjoyment.

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Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $8.8M · in their own filed words · FY2024
01

Welcoming and Engaging Park Visitors

Memorial Park Conservancy ("MPC") regularly provides a diverse range of free and low-cost community events, spanning from cultural festivals to engaging educational activities. This year the Conservancy broadened its programming to emphasize health and wellness by offering free yoga classes, meditation, Pilates sessions and soccer…

$4.3Mprogram expense
02

Master Plan

In April 2025, Memorial Park Conservancy unveiled plans for Memorial Groves, and shortly after began preliminary site work and ecological restoration for the project. This new space will pay tribute to the Park's history while further enhancing its natural beauty and providing expanded opportunities for recreation, education, and…

$3.2Mprogram expense
03

Operating and Maintaining the Park

The Conservancy operates and maintains 1,100 acres of Memorial Park's 1,500 acres, aspiring to implement the principles of exceptional park management and stewardship. The Conservancy furthers its mission by enhancing park amenities, backing forestry management initiatives, planting native species, maintaining both natural and paved…

$1.3Mprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · funders on record
Grants received · FY2025
See all 5 funders →

By the numbers

The FY2025 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$22.0M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$19.2M
Investment incomeLn 3$1.2M
Fees for servicesLn 2g$1.2M
Money outPt IX
$12.3M
Ln 25
Programscol B$8.8M
Managementcol C$2.3M
Fundraisingcol D$1.3M
Owns and owesPt X
$56.2M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$5.7M
Total assetsLn 16$57.6M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.4M
PeoplePt VI, VII
32
listed · VII A
PaidVII A7
Voting boardVI 1a25
IndependentVI 1b25
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$19.2M
Government grantsLn 1e$2.8M
Noncash giftsLn 1g$3.7M
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$702K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$1.2M
Investment incomeLn 3$1.2M
Other incomeLn 4–11$399K
Gains on assetsLn 7$15K
Total revenueLn 12$22.0M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
SavingsLn 2$5.7M
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$5.7M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$40.3M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$625K
Total assetsLn 16$57.6M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.4M
Net assetsLn 32$56.2M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 559
VolunteersI 62,319
Fiscal year endsHeaderMay
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY25End FY25
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$4.8M$5.7M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$22.0M$40.3M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$627K$625K
Total assetsLn 16$46.1M$57.6M
LiabilitiesLn 26$856K$1.4M
Net assetsLn 32$45.2M$56.2M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$1.0M$627K$257K$139K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$3.5M$2.2M$883K$477K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$51K$31K$13K$7K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$473K$290K$119K$64K
Payroll taxesLn 10$355K$218K$89K$48K
Legal feesLn 11b$32K$32K
Accounting feesLn 11c$25K$25K
Professional fundraising feesLn 11e$155K$155K
Investment management feesLn 11f$95K$95K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$1.2M$836K$267K$132K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$2K$196$2K
Office expensesLn 13$411K$242K$67K$102K
Information technologyLn 14$327K$63K$178K$86K
TravelLn 17$30K$23K$4K$2K
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$77K$25K$31K$21K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$141K$141K
InsuranceLn 23$220K$1K$217K$2K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$4.0M$4.0M$449
All other expensesLn 24e$201K$147K$23K$30K
Total functional expensesLn 25$12.3M$8.8M$2.3M$1.3M

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest Viewing $22.0M$12.3M$9.7M$56.2M 990 PDF
FY2024 $18.9M$13.7M$5.1M$45.2M 990 PDF
FY2023 $10.4M$25.6M−$15.2M$39.2M 990 PDF
FY2022 $32.4M$20.2M$12.3M$54.5M 990 PDF
FY2021 $34.0M$30.4M$3.6M$42.4M 990 PDF
FY2020 $21.0M$24.1M−$3.1M$38.7M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support M · Noncash J · Pay O · Explanations
See the full FY2025 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $22,029,272 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $16,616,023$19,152,643
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $979,804$1,230,236
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $944,926$1,247,746
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $327,019$398,647
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $18,867,772$22,029,272
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $0$0
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $5,237,233$5,415,374
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $168,407$155,180
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $8,340,069$6,767,980
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $13,745,709$12,338,534
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $5,122,063$9,690,738
Part VI · Governance 25 of 25 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body25
VI-1b Independent voting members25
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $22,029,272 across 13 lines filed
VIII-1c Fundraising events$702,061
VIII-1d Related organizations$16,133
VIII-1e Government grants$2,770,995
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$15,663,454
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$3,670,378
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$19,152,643
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $1,230,236$1,230,236
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $1,233,197$1,233,197
VIII-6 Net rental income or lossExcluded from tax $68,664$68,664
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsExcluded from tax $14,549$14,549
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$170,017−$170,017
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Excluded from tax $500,000$500,000
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $1,230,236 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $1,646,393$22,029,272
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $12,338,534 across 19 lines filed
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $627,293 · Management $257,089 · Fundraising $138,801$1,023,183
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $2,153,938 · Management $882,768 · Fundraising $476,603$3,513,309
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $31,215 · Management $12,793 · Fundraising $6,907$50,915
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $289,814 · Management $118,776 · Fundraising $64,128$472,718
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $217,796 · Management $89,261 · Fundraising $48,192$355,249
IX-11b Legal feesManagement $31,663$31,663
IX-11c Accounting feesManagement $25,300$25,300
IX-11e Professional fundraising feesFundraising $155,180$155,180
IX-11f Investment management feesManagement $94,929$94,929
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $835,749 · Management $267,390 · Fundraising $131,717$1,234,856
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $196 · Fundraising $1,817$2,013
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $241,609 · Management $67,333 · Fundraising $102,036$410,978
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $62,736 · Management $177,859 · Fundraising $85,989$326,584
IX-17 TravelPrograms $22,780 · Management $4,463 · Fundraising $2,482$29,725
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $24,692 · Management $31,038 · Fundraising $21,241$76,971
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $141,306$141,306
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $1,237 · Management $216,720 · Fundraising $2,238$220,195
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $3,972,344 · Management $449$3,972,793
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $147,220 · Management $23,194 · Fundraising $30,253$200,667
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $8,769,925 · Management $2,301,025 · Fundraising $1,267,584$12,338,534
Part X · Balance sheet $57,641,319 assets, 13 lines filed
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $4,813,110$5,744,617
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $18,572,538$10,771,894
X-4 Accounts receivable$193,235
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $16,267$16,732
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $627,488$624,613
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $22,027,688$40,290,228
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $46,057,091$57,641,319
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $856,266$1,392,486
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $856,266$1,392,486
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $21,729,304$23,778,111
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $23,471,521$32,470,722
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $45,200,825$56,248,833
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $46,057,091$57,641,319
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $56,248,833 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$22,029,272
XI-2 Total expenses$12,338,534
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$9,690,738
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$45,200,825
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$1,357,270
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$0
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$56,248,833

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2025 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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