Save the River-Save the Hills
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO ABATE AND PREVENT POLLUTION OF THE NIANTIC RIVER BY: OPERATING A PUMPOUT BOAT; ADVOCATING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF OSWEGATCHIE HILLS; ADVOCATING FOR SEWERS FOR EAST LYME WATERFRONT NEIGHBORHOODS; ENCOURAGING THE TOWNS OF WATERFORD AND EAST LYME TO FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL PHASE II STORM WATER PROTECTION ACT.
- Income
- $93,269
- Spending
- $74,896
- Reserves
- 45.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Highest pay
- $4,570, pumpout program co-admin
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 45.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $56,604 spent. NIANTIC RIVER PUMPOUT BOAT PROGRAM:THIS SERVICE IS OFFERED FREE TO RECREATIONAL BOATERS WHO HAVE MARINE SANITATION DEVICES WITH HOLDING TANKS, TO EASILY DISPOSE OF HUMAN WASTE IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE MANNER. THANKS TO A GRANT FROM CT DEEP, THROUGH THE FEDERAL CLEAN WATER ACT, THAT IS MATCHED (75% DEEP/25% OTHERS) BY THE TOWNS OF EAST LYME & WATERFORD AND WELSCO (WATERFORD/EAST LYME SHELLFISH COMMISSION), AS WELL AS LOCAL BUSINESS' DONATIONS, THE PUMPOUT BOAT OPERATES FREE OF CHARGE FROM MAY THROUGH THE FALL, ON THE NIANTIC RIVER AND NIANTIC BAY. IN 2025 WE PUMPED MORE THAN 15,000 GALLONS OF WASTE WATER.
- $8,000 spent. LEGAL DEFENSE AGAINST OVERDEVELOPMENT IN NIANTIC RIVER WATERSHED
- $4,051 spent. WATER QUALITY AND PROTECTION EDUCATION:THE ORGANIZATION PRODUCES A NEWSLETTER WHICH PROVIDES UPDATES ON ITS ADVOCACY EFFORTS AND PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO SENIOR STUDENTS GRADUATING FROM WATERFORD AND EAST LYME HIGH SCHOOLS WHO SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY, HAVE ACHIEVED ACADEMIC SUCCESS, AND SHOW A PASSION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND/OR THE ARTS. TWO SCHOLARSHIPS OF $1,000 EACH WERE AWARDED IN 2025.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 2025.
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 May 2001.
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 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.