Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks logo

Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks

Public charity · Grantmaker Santa Cruz, CA EIN: 77-0209249 Website

Our mission is to preserve, protect, improve and promote the use of santa Cruz county parks and open spaces for recreational activities, arts and cultural activities to benefit all generations in our diverse community.

Key facts about Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks

In short: Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks gave $36K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $18K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
77-0209249
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$35,531
Grants made (2025)
2
Average grant
$17,766
Median grant
$17,766
Total assets
$463,078
Primary geography
California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$463K

-70.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$36K

-96.0% YoY

Grant Count

2

-33.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$18K

-94.1% YoY

How Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks gives

  • Giving fell 95% from 2022 to 2025. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

About Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks

Based on IRS filings

Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks is a public charity, based in Santa Cruz, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $463K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $36K. Net investment income was $37K.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.

States

Cities

Santa CruzCapitolaCampbell

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$250K$500K$750K$1M0 grants2019 2 grants2020 1 grant2021 1 grant2022 2 grants2023 3 grants2024 2 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $36K (2025) to $896K (2024). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $36K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 2 recipients in 2025

Santa Cruz County Parks Department: $30KSanta Cruz County ParksDepartment$30KCity of Capitola: $5KCity of Capitola$5K

The largest 2025 recipient was Santa Cruz County Parks Department ($30K). Together the top 2 received $36K.

Grant Size Distribution

9 grants across all recorded years

5<$50K2$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K2$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 9 (56%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Santa Cruz County Parks Department Santa Cruz, CAEnrollments$30,177
City of Capitola Capitola, CABuild Treasure Cove Inclusive Playground$5,354

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M$4M2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$463,078$1,545,552$1,149,294
Revenue$726,447$2,779,709$2,013,250
Expenses$838,704$2,794,025$1,726,220
Net Investment Income$37,447$16,062—

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS December 10, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 16, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 5, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
  7. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks is led by Mariah Roberts, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Mariah Roberts

    Executive Director

    On filings since 2019

    40 hrs/week

    $24K (2019) → $139K (2025)

  • Lesley Harris Esq.

    Board Chair

    Secretary → Board Secretary, 2023

    Board Secretary → Board Chair, 2024

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lilia Chagolla

    Board Vice Chair

    Director → Board Vice Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Francisco Paco Estrada

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kim Namba

    Board Treasurer

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sheila Peck

    Board Secretary

    Board Member → Board Secretary, 2024

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Adriana Mata

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Anne Hayden

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Terry Corwin

    Board Member

    On filings since 2024

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (9)
  • Former: Teresa Corwin (2019–2023) — Board Chair
  • Former: David Guerrero (2022–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Kimbra Said (2023) — Finance Committee Advisor
  • Former: Kate Pavao (2019–2022) — Vice Chair
  • Former: Kim Said (2019–2022) — Treasurer
  • Former: Nancy Gerdt (2019–2022) — Director
  • Former: Adele Gardener (2019–2020) — Secretary
  • Former: Kate Minott (2019–2020) — Director
  • Former: Ray Cancino (2019–2020) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Mariah Roberts — Executive Director: $139KMariah RobertsExecutive Director$139K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $139K, to Mariah Roberts (Executive Director).

Frequently asked questions about Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks

How much does Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks give each year?

Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks gave $36K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $896K across 3 grants.

How large is Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks?

Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks reported $463K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $726K.

Where does Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks operate?

Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks has awarded grants in California.

What is Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks's EIN?

Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0209249. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in California

Peninsula Open Space Trust

Palo Alto, CA

POST funds land protection, restoration, open-space access, and related conservation and community work, primarily on the Peninsula and in the South Bay, including San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $5.27 million, with a median of about $13,800; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Environment & Animals

Assets

$373.8M

Grants

25

Total Given

$9.1M

Save the Redwoods League

San Francisco, CA

Save the Redwoods League funds redwood forest protection, restoration, research, stewardship, climate work, and projects that help people experience redwood parks, primarily across California’s coast redwood and giant sequoia range. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $2 million, with a median of $6,000; research grants are typically $30,000–$50,000, and Redwood Connect Grants are up to $8,000. It accepts research grant proposals from eligible nonprofits, including universities and public agencies.

Assets

$208.5M

Grants

36

Total Given

$3.8M

National Recreation Foundation

Lake Forest, IL

The National Recreation Foundation funds youth outdoor recreation, physical activity, and nature-connection programs, especially those expanding access for young people facing barriers. It supports organizations across the country; 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $160,000, with a median of $20,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; grants are by invitation only.

Recreation & Sports

Assets

$56.4M

Grants

75

Total Given

$2.4M

Parks California

Sacramento, CA

Parks California funds organizations working to improve access to parks, support park-based arts, strengthen climate resilience and stewardship, and build natural-resource career pathways. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $42,000 (ranging from $5,908 to $191,600) and went primarily to California recipients. Applicants submit in response to grant solicitations; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$17.9M

Grants

85

Total Given

$5.2M

The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation

Walnut Creek, CA

The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation funds environmental work, youth arts and outdoor learning, maternal health, and healthy aging in Northern California and Hawaii. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $800,000, with a median of $25,000; although its website describes an application process for responsive grants, its 2024 filing says it accepts no unsolicited requests.

Assets

$138.7M

Grants

95

Total Given

$5.5M

REI Cooperative Action Fund

Sumner, WA

The REI Cooperative Action Fund supports U.S. nonprofits expanding equitable access to the outdoors, connecting historically excluded communities with outdoor experiences, and advancing research on nature and health. In 2024, grants ranged from $9,342 to $386,438, with a median of $15,000; it funds organizations serving communities across the U.S. and does not accept unsolicited grant requests, though recommendations are considered.

Assets

$11.2M

Grants

561

Total Given

$13.5M

Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Mountain View, CA

Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$12.3B

Grants

3,576

Total Given

$3.2B

California Community Foundation

Los Angeles, CA

The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.

Assets

$2.3B

Grants

2,174

Total Given

$326.6M

The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation

Menlo Park, CA

The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$14.2B

Grants

2,001

Total Given

$625.0M

Marin Community Foundation

Novato, CA

Marin Community Foundation funds work in affordable housing and homelessness, community resilience and power, as well as social services, education, arts and conservation, with a focus on marginalized Marin County residents and some broader U.S. and international grantmaking. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$1.3B

Grants

1,573

Total Given

$186.1M

Direct Relief

Santa Barbara, CA

Direct Relief supports healthcare providers serving people affected by poverty or emergencies, including community health centers, clinics, and grassroots organizations, with medicines, supplies, and funding for health access and equity. In 2025, its grants had a median award of about $65,000, and its work spans all 50 U.S. states and countries around the world; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

International, Foreign Affairs & National Security

Assets

$1.3B

Grants

1,367

Total Given

$337.4M

Conrad N Hilton Foundation

Westlake Village, CA

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation funds nonprofits working to improve lives and alleviate poverty, with initiatives including early childhood development, homelessness, refugees, safe water, and support for foster and opportunity youth. Its work is global, and its 2024 grants had a median award of $76,000. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, except through its Good Neighbor Program for eligible local nonprofits and Title 1 schools.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$7.4B

Grants

1,339

Total Given

$287.7M

More Funders in California

Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?