CSPA’s Board of Directors takes its fiduciary responsibilities very seriously. CSPA exists to support and improve local California State Parks, and maximizing that support is Goal #1.
CSPA’s Revenues come: (1) from donations by individuals and corporations, (2) from fundraising events, (3) from grants, and (4) from net revenue from sales at park stores and from sales of firewood in campgrounds. Of our normal operating budget, donations average for approximately one-half of revenues, and net revenue from stores’ and firewood sales account for one-third of the total.
The financial pictures in the graph above shows the increases in revenues by source over the past five years.
As you will see, restricted donations have increased during this time as larger and long-term projects were planned and initial funds raised. In 2019 CSPA received a substantial Capital Grant for the continued restoration of Pigeon Point Lighthouse tower from the California State Park Foundation. We do not anticipate receiving significant ongoing grants from the same source however we will continue to look for funding opportunities to move this project forward to completion.
The net income of the stores (reported on the graph) is what remains of gross sales after subtracting the cost of goods sold, the salaries and benefits of the stores’ two employees, credit card fees and the costs of store related fixtures and supplies. The three parkstores managed by CSPA serve a dual purpose. First, they fulfill an interpretive need by making available to visitors park-related information through the books, videos, maps, etc. that the stores sell. This function is a goal, expressly stated by California State Parks, for its Cooperating Associations. Second, the stores generate additional income for CSPA to return to local state parks in support of their programs.
CSPA is a good financial steward
CSPA’s Expenses include funding current programs and capital projects; expenses incurred to raise funds; and organization overhead. Reserves are accumulated to fund future projects and provide stability in times of economic uncertainty. CSPA’s goal is to maximize the contribution towards local state parks and minimizing the expenses to raise funds and organizational overhead.
As shown in the graph to the right, the expenses and organizational overhead are controlled thus reducing the ratio of these costs to overall income as income has grown.
While it is still early in the pandemic, the effect thus far has been to close the park stores and campgrounds, thereby cutting one source of raising funds and awareness of the work that we do for several months. We continue to fund the interpretive programs and facility improvement projects that had been planned and committed to. We will evaluate future planned projects as the parks and facilities reopen and we can determine the certainty of funding them.
As a nonprofit corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, each year CSPA files a “Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax” (IRS Form 990). These filings are open to public inspection. Below are copies of these forms for recent years.
Form 990 for 2019 will be accessible after the tax return is filed.