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Friends of the Rivers Inc

EIN 05-0608001 · Fort Wayne, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRIENDS OF THE RIVERS: CELEBRATING FORT WAYNE'S RIVERS AS A SOURCE OF RECREATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. FRIENDS OF THE RIVERS IS DEDICATED TO ENHANCING THE COMMUNITY'S APPRECIATION, EXPERIENCE, AND USE OF THE RIVERS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES RIVER CRUISES ABOARD A 54-FOOT CANAL BOAT MODELED AFTER AN AUTHENTIC 1840'S CANAL BOAT BEGINNING IN 2017. THE 1840'S-STYLE, FLAT BOTTOM BOAT WILL ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO EXPERIENCE THE RIVERS AND THE POTENTIAL THEY OFFER FOR DEVELOPMENT, RECREATION, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING.

Income
$9,574
Spending
$76,582
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
41.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
13

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 41.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 700% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 80% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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. $69,113 spent. RIVER TOURS ABOARD OUR REPLICA CANAL BOAT CONTINUES TO EDUCATE OUR COMMUNITY, AND PARTICULARLY OUR YOUTH. FRIENDS OF THE RIVERS REACHED 4,461 INDIVIDUALS DURING OUR 2025 NINETEEN-WEEK SEASON. THE SEASON WAS SHORTENED DUE TO LOW RIVER LEVELS. WE HOSTED 18 EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS, OFFERING HISTORY APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS AND NARRATION FOR 3RD - 5TH GRADE STUDENTS WITH TWO ALL-ABILITIES FIELD TRIP OFFERINGS ON OUR FULLY ACCESSIBLE BOAT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.