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Save Our Saluda

EIN 06-1839120 · Marietta, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROTECT AND RESTORE THE UPPER SALUDA WATERSHED THROUGH EDUCATION, COMMUNITY AWARENESS, ADVOCACY, AND SEEKING SOLUTIONS TO THREATS TO THE SALUDA RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

Income
$200,079
Spending
$239,323
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$61,170, president

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $106,514 spent. The Terry Creek #3 project involved a total of 900 feet of streambank stabilization along Terry Creek and Short Branch (tributaries of the North Saluda River), 523 feet of which was funded through the Upper Saluda 319 program and partner match. Structural stabilization and streambank protection included grading and installation of boulder toe rock and multiple single-arm rocks vanes. Streambank bioengineering BMPs included seeding, coir matting and installation of native live stakes and herbaceous plugs along streambank slopes. Approximately 13,000 ft2 of riparian buffer was restored and enhanced along the stabilized reaches with 229 native trees planted during volunteer workdays. Two rock-lined waterways were installed to stabilize drainage areas from the crop field.
  2. $68,820 spent. The goal of Save Our Saluda?s 319 project is to reduce sediment runoff in the Upper Saluda Watershed through implementation of agricultural and rural Best Management Practices (BMPs). During 2024, Save Our Saluda provided financial assistance for implementation of BMPS at multiple eligible sites in the watershed. The Middle Saluda River project involved 350 feet of streambank stabilization, 200 feet of which was funded through the Upper Saluda 319 program and partner match. Structural stabilization and streambank protection included grading, installation of boulder toe rock and multiple in-stream rock vane structures to deflect erosive flows away from the streambank. Streambank bioengineering BMPs included seeding, coir matting, and installation of native live stakes and herbaceous plugs along streambank slopes. Approximately 72,000 ft2 of riparian buffer was restored and enhanced along 1,800 feet of river frontage with 470 native trees and shrubs planted during volunteer workdays. Two rock-lined waterways were strategically located and installed through an existing levee berm to provide a hydrologic connection between the river and the floodplain during high flows.
  3. $58,095 spent. Save Our Saluda hosted four volunteer river cleanups on the North Saluda River after Hurricane Helene. Save Our Saluda participated as a stakeholder in the monthly Saluda River Basin Planning meetings to develop the Saluda River Basin Plan, which included a review of surface water availability over a 50-year planning horizon and documentation of water management strategies to help ensure water availability for all future uses. Save Our Saluda worked on local policies for riparian buffer protection in the Upper Saluda Watershed. Save Our Saluda helped to facilitate partner cooperation for land conservation of priority areas in the watershed for source water protection.

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 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 January 2009.

    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 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.