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Superior Rivers Watershed Association Inc

EIN 04-3740575 · Ashland, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE SUPERIOR RIVERS WATERSHED ASSOCIATION IS TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT CLEAN WATER RESOURCES IN WISCONSIN'S LAKE SUPERIOR BASIN.

Income
$120,296
Spending
$114,631
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
3
Volunteers
91

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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 74% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 88 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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)
  1. $19,332 spent. WATER QUALITY MONITORING: OUR 29 CHEMISTRY AND 40 MACROINVERTEBRATE VOLUNTEERS MONITORED 26 SITES ACROSS OUR SERVICE AREA. WE ADDED 6 NEW SITES AND ENHANCED THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A BETTER EXPERIENCE FOR OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS.
  2. $1,641 spent. WATERSHED MANAGEMENT: SUPERIOR RIVERS BEGAN THE INTIAL PLANNING STAGES OF A 4-YEAR PROJECT WIHT DOZENS OF LOCAL PARNTERS TO ASSESS FLOOD RISKS IN TH E FISH CREEK, MONTREAL, WHITE RIVER, AND NEMADJI RIVER WATERSHEDS AND HELP BRING THIS INFORMATION TO LOCAL DECISION-MAKERS.
  3. $50,676 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LAKE SUPERIOR RESERVE, WE PROVIDED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO 7 LOCAL TEACHERS IN THE 2023-2024 AND 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEARS THROUGH THE RIVERS2LAKE PROGRAM AND DEVELOPED A NETWORK FOR ALUMNI OF THE PROGRAM. WE LAUNCHED SCIENCE ON TAP, IMPLEMENTED INCREASED FIELD TRIPS AND WORKSHOPS, AND BEGAN A THREE-YEAR PROJECT TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY WITH RESTORATION IN THE FISH CREEK SLOUGH.
  4. $423 spent. WATERSHED RESTORATION: STAFF MONITORED EXISTING RESTORATION SITES FOR RAIN AND FLOOD DAMAGE AND HELPED IMPLEMENT NATURAL FLOOD RESISTANCE MEASURES WITH ASHLAND COUNTY AT TODY CREEK. WE BEGAN A THREE-YEAR PROJECT TO REMOVE INVASIVE CATTAIL IN FISH CREEK SLOUGH.
  5. WATERSHED RESTORATION: STAFF MONITORED EXISTING RESTORATION SITES FOR RAIN AND FLOOD DAMAGE AND HELPED IMPLEMENT NATURAL FLOOD RESISTANCE MEASURES WITH ASHLAND COUNTY AT TODY CREEK. WE BEGAN A THREE-YEAR PROJECT TO REMOVE INVASIVE CATTAIL IN FISH CREEK SLOUGH.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 September 2007.

    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.