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Merrimack River Watershed Council Inc

EIN 04-2633281 · Lawrence, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MERRIMACK RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL'S MISSION IS TO PROTECT THE MERRIMACK RIVER WATERSHED AND PROMOTE THE WISE USE OF ITS WATERSHED. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH WATER QUALITY MONITORING, LAND RESTORATION AND PROTECTION, WATERSHED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, ADVOCACY AND RECREATION.

Income
$870,133
Spending
$853,186
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
11
Volunteers
75

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $581,721 spent. THE MERRIMACK RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL (MRWC) PARTNERS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE TO PROTECT THE MERRIMACK RIVER AND ITS WATERSHED. MRWC OFFERS PUBLIC EVENTS FOR ALL MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSIRE RESIDENTS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE PADDLING TRIPS, PUBLIC LECTURES, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS AND CLASSES, OUTREACH, AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT WITH REGARD TO STORMWATER AND WATER POLLUTION, AND THE ORGANIZATION OF COALITIONS TO ADDRESS THE SAME. MRWC IS THE ONLY FULL-TIME ACTIVIST GROUP FOCUSED ON WATER QUALITY AND PUBLIC RECREATIONAL ACCESS TO THE 125-MILE LONG MERRIMACK RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES IN MASSACHUSETTS AND NEW HAMPSHIRE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1978.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 October 7, 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.