irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $67KFields and Trails VCPA works closely with NYC Parks to help maintain athletic fields and the Cross Country Course in Van Cortlandt Park.
- #2 $174KNatural Areas VCPA staff, interns, and volunteers improve the 600 acres of natural areas in Van Cortlandt Park by completing restoration and research projects.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Volunteer Days
Public volunteer events focused on park-wide stewardship including tree planting, trash removal, and seasonal garden preparation
Fields and Trails Program
Collaboration with NYC Parks to maintain athletic fields and the historic Cross Country Running Course
Group Stewardship Programs
Customized volunteer projects for corporate, school, and faith-based groups of six or more people
Learning Garden
Community garden program where volunteers maintain compost, weed, water, and harvest produce; includes Garden Tune-Up Tuesdays and educational opportunities
Natural Areas Stewardship
Volunteer and staff-led restoration of 600+ acres of forest, wetlands, and pond through invasive species removal, native planting, and ecological research
Trail Maintenance
Regular upkeep of 20+ miles of hiking and nature trails via programs like Trail Work Thursdays and Vital Volunteers, including pruning, drainage clearing, and litter removal
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 2 activities
- Equipment and infrastructure upgradesPurchases and replaces outdated equipment and materials in the park, including stone dust for trail and field repairs and other infrastructure improvements.
- Maintenance of athletic fields and cross country courseCollaborates with NYC Parks and the Department of Parks & Recreation to maintain athletic fields and the cross country course, including mowing, weed-whacking, and filling ruts and potholes with stone dust.
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Ecological restoration and natural areas stewardshipConducts ecological restoration, invasive species removal, native species planting, and forest research across more than 600 acres of forest, wetlands, pond, and trails in Van Cortlandt Park. Engages over 1,000 volunteers annually and conducts hands-on maintenance of over 20 miles of trails, supported by staff, interns, and seasonal workers.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Event notification and community outreachOperates an email listserve to notify subscribers about upcoming events and programs in Van Cortlandt Park.
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Community Wellness Movement Classes 1 activity
- Free public yoga programmingHosts free weekly yoga sessions in Van Cortlandt Park during the summer months, designed for beginners with no prior experience required.
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Horticultural Education and Community Gardening 1 activity
- Learning Garden maintenanceMaintains the Learning Garden in Van Cortlandt Park through composting, weeding, watering, and harvesting activities.
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Library-Provided Cultural Access Passes 1 activity
- Membership benefits and park access programsOffers tiered membership benefits including two-for-one museum admission, members-only hikes, personalized tours, free riding lessons, and discounted golf access at Van Cortlandt Park facilities.
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Youth Workforce Development in Food & Environment 1 activity
- Youth-run farm stand and local food accessOperates a youth-run farm stand offering fresh, locally grown produce at affordable prices in Van Cortlandt Park.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Organizational merger and capacity buildingFormed in 2019 through the merger of the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park and the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy to lead implementation of the 2034 Master Plan for the park.
- Trail development and connectivity improvementEstablished the John Muir East-West Connector Trail in 1997 to improve trail connectivity across Van Cortlandt Park.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.33M
Contributions & grants$1.19M89%
Program service revenue$66K5%
Investment income$6K0%
Other revenue$69K
expenses
Total expenses$1.12M
Program expenses65%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising17%
Salaries & benefits$643K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.18M
Cash$675K
Investments$0
Liabilities$180K
Net assets$1.00M
Liquid reserves7.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +101.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Ehrlich | Executive Director | 15 | $210K |
| Christina Taylor | Deputy Director | 37 | $105K |
board members · 20
- Amit Stern — Board Member
- Carol J Samol — Board Member
- Charlie Samboy — Board Member
- Colin Greene — Board Member
- Dr Thomas M Kelly — Board Member
- Erin Clarke — Board Member
- Gary Axelbank — Board Member
- Jeff Torkin — Board Member
- John Park — Board Member
- Judy Mils-Johnson — Chair
- Lee Sossen — Treasurer
- Lilka Adams — Board Member
- Lisa Cintron — Secretary
- Miriam Filer — Board Member
- Nicole Sin Quee — Board Member
- Nina Habib Spencer — Board Member
- Nivardo Lopez — Board Member
- Rabbi Binyamin Krauss — Board Member
- Stacey Wieder — Vice-Member
- Teresa Grant Stoeth — Board Member
relationships · 33
Who they work with
- Atmosphere Academy Partner — Financial supporter at Valiant Maple level
- Bronx Beer Hall Partner — Raffle prize donor
- BronxCARE Health System Partner — Financial supporter at Lionhearted Holly level
- CBS Stations Group Partner — Raffle prize donor
- Collegiate School Partner — Financial supporter at Valiant Maple level
- Corporate groups Partner — Collaborates with corporate groups for scheduled stewardship projects involving 6 or more participants.
- Department of Parks & Recreation Partner — Close partner in preserving, supporting, and promoting the ecology, recreation, cultural arts, and history of Van Cortlandt Park.
- Friends of Van Cortlandt Park Partner — Merged with the Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy in 2019 to form the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance.
- GuS Sodas Partner — In-kind donor
- Horace Mann School Partner — Financial supporter at Heroic Hornbeam level
- Ishkara Heqwabti Partner — Yoga instructor leading a session featuring Kemetic Yoga and sound meditation.
- JetBlue Airlines Partner — Raffle prize donor
- Manhattan University Partner — Financial supporter at Intrepid Acorn level
- Melissa Rios Partner — Yoga instructor leading a session featuring Kemetic Yoga and sound meditation.
- Montefiore Einstein Partner — Financial supporter at Valiant Maple level
- NYC Parks Government — Collaborates with NYC Parks on park stewardship programs and maintenance efforts.
- NYC Parks Government — Follows park rules consistent with NYC Parks and directs permit applications through nycgovparks.org.
- NYC Parks Government — Public partner in a public/private partnership formed in 2009 and ongoing stewardship collaboration.
- NYC Parks Partner — Collaborates with NYC Parks to maintain athletic fields and the cross country course in Van Cortlandt Park.
- NewYork-Presbyterian Partner — Financial supporter at Intrepid Acorn level
- Riverdale Country School Partner — Financial supporter at Intrepid Acorn level
- SAR Academy/SAR High School Partner — Financial supporter at Valiant Maple level
- School groups or nonprofits Partner — Partners with school groups and nonprofits for scheduled volunteer projects in Van Cortlandt Park.
- Skyview Wines & Spirits Partner — In-kind donor
- The Lemle & Wolff Companies Partner — Financial supporter at Intrepid Acorn level
- Timothy Lewis Partner — Yoga instructor curating and leading sessions for the event series.
- Tishman Speyer Partner — Financial supporter at Intrepid Acorn level
- Van Cortlandt Golf Course Partner — Provides two-for-one coupons to members through partnership with Van Cortlandt Golf Course.
- Van Cortlandt House Museum Partner — Provides two-for-one admission benefits to members through partnership with Van Cortlandt House Museum.
- Van Cortlandt Park Conservancy Partner — Merged with the Friends of Van Cortlandt Park in 2019 to form the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance.
+ 3 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Integrated Park Stewardshipmethodology: integrated_park_stewardshipBy unifying ecological, recreational, cultural, and historical preservation efforts, the organization enhances park sustainability and community engagement because holistic management fosters deeper public connection and more resilient outcomes.
- Public-Private Partnership Modelmethodology: public-private partnershipBy collaborating with the Department of Parks & Recreation, the organization leverages public and private resources to improve park stewardship and programming because institutional partnerships increase funding, coordination, and operational capacity.
- Volunteer-Led Stewardship with Inclusive Engagementmethodology: inclusive_volunteer_engagementBy training and deploying volunteers—including those with no prior experience—in trail maintenance and ecological restoration, the organization expands stewardship capacity because inclusive, structured volunteer programs build community ownership and sustainable labor resources.
- Youth-Led Community Programmingmethodology: youth-led programmingBy engaging youth in operating a farm stand, the organization promotes food access and youth development because hands-on leadership roles build skills, ownership, and community investment.