River Relief Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF'S MISSION IS TO ENGAGE INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER IN THE EXPLORATION, ENJOYMENT, RESTORATION AND CARE OF THE RIVER THROUGH HANDS-ON RIVER CLEAN-UPS, EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND RECREATION.
- Income
- $1.1 million
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 5.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 58%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 1,627
- Highest pay
- $56,910, previous exe
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $162,398 spent. MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF HOSTED OR PARTICIPATED IN 9 RIVER CLEANUPS IN 2024, UTILIZING THE HELP OF 1,527 VOLUNTEERS WHO HELPED REMOVE MORE THAN 25.4 TONS OF TRASH FROM THE RIVER'S ENVIRONMENT. 119 MILES OF RIVER BANKS WERE CLEANED IN COMMUNITIES FROM ST. LOUIS TO OMAHA.
- $250,774 spent. MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF HOSTED NUMEROUS EDUCATION EVENTS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, YOUNG ADULTS AND ADULTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE COMBINE PLACE- BASED EDUCATION AND INQUIRY-BASED SCIENCE FOR BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL EDUCATORS IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. IN 2024, RIVER RELIEF WORKED WITH 3,033 STUDENTS AND 113 TEACHERS.
- $167,443 spent. MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF HOLDS OUTREACH EVENTS IN ORDER TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION AND OUR EFFORTS ON THE MISSOURI RIVER. IN 2024, MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF GAVE 10 PRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE MISSOURI RIVER, PARTNERED OR HOSTED 11 BIG MUDDY SPEAKERS SERIES EVENTS, HELPED WITH 4 PADDLING EVENTS, INTRODUCING MORE THAN 10,727 PEOPLE TO THE BIG MUDDY THROUGH EACH OF OUR DIFFERENT PROGRAM AREAS.
- $161,923 spent. MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF HOSTS THE MR340, A 340-MILE RACE ON THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM KANSAS CITY TO ST. CHARLES. IN 2024,611 PADDLERS FROM 3 COUNTRIES AND 37 STATES TESTED THEIR METTLE IN 411 BOATS. 322 BOATS FINISHED THE RACE. WE'RE PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS AMAZING EVENT THAT HAS CHANGED THE WAY OUR STATE LOOKS AT OUR RIVER.
- MISSOURI RIVER RELIEF HOSTS THE MR340, A 340-MILE RACE ON THE MISSOURI RIVER FROM KANSAS CITY TO ST. CHARLES. IN 2024,611 PADDLERS FROM 3 COUNTRIES AND 37 STATES TESTED THEIR METTLE IN 411 BOATS. 322 BOATS FINISHED THE RACE. WE'RE PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS AMAZING EVENT THAT HAS CHANGED THE WAY OUR STATE LOOKS AT OUR RIVER.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.