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FRIENDS OF THE ROCKEFELLER STATE PARK PRESERVE
Sleepy Hollow, NY · EIN 582295320 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE C113 · Environment · Small ($100K-$1M) · friendsrock.org
revenue
$359K
expenses
$136K
net assets
$827K
employees
1
program ratio
71%
mission · from form 990

ADMINISTERED BY THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION. RAISES FUNDS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CARRIAGE ROADS, WHICH MAKE THIS PARK UNIQUE.SUPPORTS PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES, IN KEEPING WITH THE NATURE OF THE PRESERVE, FOR ITS MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.PROMOTES, CONSERVES, DEVELOPS AND SUPPORTS THE TRANQUIL SETTING OF THE PRESERVE AND THE PARKS SYSTEM OF NEW YORK STATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND POSTERITY.PROMOTES AND SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES WITHIN THE PRESERVE AND IN THE NEW YORK STATE PARKS SYSTEM.

profile · synthesized from sources

FRIENDS OF THE ROCKEFELLER STATE PARK PRESERVE is a nonprofit organization supporting the maintenance and conservation of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve in Pocantico Hills, NY. It raises funds for the upkeep of the park's historic carriage roads, supports educational programs, habitat restoration, and public outreach. The organization works in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to ensure the preserve remains a tranquil, accessible environment for passive recreation and nature appreciation.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Art Gallery at the Preserve
Hosts annual exhibitions such as SNAP!; features local artists and promotes cultural engagement within the park
Carriage Road Maintenance
Preservation and repair of the 55-mile historic carriage road system, including drainage, resurfacing, and bridge maintenance
Educational Programs and Self-Guided Tours
Offers multilingual self-guided pamphlet tours on amphibians, reptiles, lichens, and wildflowers; supports public outreach and environmental education
Volunteer and Community Events
Organizes annual events including the Peony Celebration, Rockwood Ramble 10K, Amble & Gamble, and Rocky's 5K; participates in I Love My Park Day for stewardship activities
activities · 12 groups

What they do

  • Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 2 activities
    • Hosts public visitors and promotes passive recreation
      Welcomes over 350,000 visitors annually and supports passive recreation activities such as hiking, jogging, fishing, horseback riding, and photography, contributing to public enjoyment and appreciation of the Preserve.
    • Provides public access and recreational permits
      Issues a range of permits for public use of the Preserve, including daily and annual equestrian passes, fishing permit tags, and permits for professional photography, filmmaking, and student film projects. Also manages permits for organized running groups of 7 or more.
  • Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 2 activities
    • Offers educational programs and self-guided resources
      Supports public education through self-guided tour pamphlets, including a multilingual guide on amphibians and reptiles at Swan Lake, downloadable and printed materials, and a destination guide. These resources enhance visitor understanding of the Preserve’s natural and historical features.
    • Supports educational outreach and public programs
      Supports educational programs and public outreach initiatives aligned with the nature of the Preserve for members and the general public, including promoting educational content and activities.
  • Local Land Conservation Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocates for conservation and protection of the Preserve
      Advocates for the protection of wildlife, habitats, and historical features within the Preserve, promotes sustainable practices, and secured the designation of the Preserve as an Audubon New York Important Bird Area in partnership with the National Audubon Society.
  • Land Acquisition and Conservation Easements 1 activity
    • Facilitates land preservation through property transfer
      Transferred ownership of over 1,600 acres to the State of New York to ensure long-term protection of scenic and natural landscapes and public access.
  • Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
    • Hosts cultural and artistic events and exhibitions
      Organizes an annual photography exhibition called SNAP! at the Art Gallery to showcase images of the Preserve and uses proceeds from art gallery sales to support gallery and facility operations.
  • Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
    • Offers memberships and sells branded merchandise
      Offers yearly memberships and sells branded items such as totes, t-shirts, and water bottles to support engagement and generate support for the Preserve.
  • Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
    • Organizes and supports volunteer engagement and public participation
      Encourages public involvement through volunteer programs such as I Love My Park Day events, annual fundraising events with volunteer support (e.g., envelope stuffing, race support), and ongoing volunteer networks. These efforts directly support Preserve operations and community outreach.
  • Visitor Information and Trip Planning Services 1 activity
    • Provides digital navigation and mapping tools
      Offers a downloadable map of the Preserve and supports real-time GPS navigation via the Avenza app to assist visitors in exploring the trails and features of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
  • Capital Infrastructure Funding 1 activity
    • Raises private funds for capital and operational needs
      Raises private donations and manages fundraising events to support capital projects, maintenance of carriage roads, and general operations of the Preserve. Also offers sponsorship opportunities for specific projects and events.
  • Organization Website and Online Platform Management 1 activity
    • Recognizes community supporters and partners
      Maintains a dedicated webpage to recognize community supporters and partners, fostering community relationships and public engagement.
  • Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
    • Supports habitat restoration and environmental stewardship
      Conducts habitat restoration projects, including planting native species, seasonal mowing of pastures, leaf blowing, and storm-related cleanup such as fallen tree removal. These activities enhance ecological health and winter aesthetics, particularly around the Visitor Center courtyard.
  • Recreational Trail Development and Maintenance 1 activity
    • Supports maintenance and restoration of carriage roads and trails
      Engages in the ongoing maintenance, resurfacing, and repair of carriage roads and trails, including drain swale work and storm damage cleanup. Activities include resurfacing David's Loop, clearing over 4,000 linear feet of drains and swales, and repairing bridges. These efforts support public access and sustainable use of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$359K
Contributions & grants$523K146%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K1%
Other revenue$-168K
expenses
Total expenses$136K
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$39K
Grants paid out$3K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$841K
Cash$723K
Investments$104K
Liabilities$14K
Net assets$827K
Liquid reserves73.1 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +12.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 12
  • BENJAMIN CHEEVER — Director
  • BRIAN GEARY — Director
  • CLARE PIERSON — Director
  • DONALD STEVER — Director
  • ESTELLA MEDINA — Director
  • FRANCESCA CONNOLLY — Director
  • GEORGE GUMINA — President
  • JOHN MANUELE — Director
  • KIMBERLY ROCKEFELLER — Director
  • PATRICE INGRASSIA — Director
  • PATRICIA JONES — Director
  • RON VOGL — Director
relationships · 30

Who they work with

  • Amazon.com Partner — Partnered with Amazon Smile to receive 0.05% of eligible purchase costs when donors designate the organization as their charity.
  • Cappelli Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • Construction Industry Council Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • ENT Allergy Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • Edge on Hudson Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • Edge-on-Hudson Partner — Provided underwriting support for the printing of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve map.
  • Ginsburg Development Companies Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • Historic Hudson Valley Partner — Partner organization focused on celebrating and preserving the history, architecture, landscape, and culture of the Hudson Valley.
  • Lanza Family Foundation Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • Lisa D’Amico Partner — Curator of the art gallery at the Preserve
  • NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION Government — Administers the Rockefeller State Park Preserve in partnership with the organization.
  • National Audubon Society Partner — Collaborated to designate the Preserve as an Audubon New York Important Bird Area.
  • National Resources Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Government — Collaborates with the Friends to protect and maintain the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
  • New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — Collaborates on I Love My Park Day as a joint effort with Preserve staff.
  • New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Government — State agency responsible for managing New York’s state parks and historic sites, including Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
  • New York State Parks Government — Collaborates on park access and accepts Empire Passes for free parking at the Preserve.
  • Pace University Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • PepsiCo Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • Peter Iskenderian Government — Rockefeller State Park Preserve Manager, listed as a key contact affiliated with the park.
  • Phelps Hospital | Northwell Health Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • ReCultivate NY Partner — Partner organization focused on reimagining organic waste and restoring land.
  • Rivertown Runners Partner — Partner organization that develops running events to benefit local charities and promote community engagement.
  • Rockefeller State Park Preserve Government — Manages and supports the Rockefeller State Park Preserve in partnership with state authorities.
  • Rockefeller State Park Preserve Partner — Works with the Friends to protect and maintain the Preserve.
  • Scenic Hudson Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • State of New York Government — Receives and manages land deeded by the Rockefeller family for public preservation and access.
  • Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture Partner — Partner organization investing in resilient and regenerative farming practices aligned with sustainable land use.
  • Thalle Industries Partner — 2024 event sponsor
  • Thompson & Bender Partner — 2024 event sponsor
strategies · 3

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.

  • Community-Engaged Conservation
    methodology: community-engaged conservation
    By involving the public in conservation activities and volunteer roles, we foster stewardship and protect natural and cultural resources, because active participation builds personal investment in the Preserve's long-term sustainability.
  • Conservation Through Public Access
    methodology: conservation-through-public-access
    By managing and promoting public access to natural landscapes, we advance environmental preservation and social well-being, because equitable access fosters public appreciation and support for conservation as a public good.
  • Integrated Landscape Stewardship
    methodology: integrated-landscape-stewardship
    By combining historic landscape restoration, ecological resilience practices, and passive recreation, we advance environmental stewardship, because integrating cultural, historical, and natural resource management strengthens public connection and long-term preservation outcomes.