Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To protect the water quality and overall environment of the Canandaigua Lake watershed for future generations by applying scientific research, advocating sound public policy, and offering educational programs to the community.
- Income
- $334,277
- Spending
- $256,709
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- 23.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 60
- Highest pay
- $41,929, executive director
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
Strong: 93 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 23.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1563% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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
Good: 82 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $162,607 spent. Since 2007, CLWA's Watershed Education Program has taught students about the Canandaigua Lake watershed and water-quality stewardship. Serving the Canandaigua, Marcus Whitman, and Naples districts, the program reaches 3,000+ participants annually through classroom and field lessons. Educators link human activity to watershed health, inspiring responsible citizenship. CLWA also conducts community workshops, presentations, hikes, and events that educate residents and businesses on lake-friendly practices and environmental issues. Populations Served: K-12 students and adults.(Continued on Schedule O)CLWA's supports trained stewards at the State Marine Park in Canandaigua and DEC Woodville launches from May to October. They inspect boats and educate 14,000-18,000 boaters on "Clean, Drain, Dry" practices to prevent aquatic invasive species (AIS). Terrestrial programs monitor hemlock woolly adelgid and other pests affecting forests and agriculture. AIS prevention protects lake health and avoids costly eradication efforts seen in neighboring Finger Lakes. Populations Served: Boaters and watershed residents.CLWA partners with academic and statewide researchers to study the causes of declining lake water quality and harmful algal blooms (HABs). Citizen scientists assist in data collection for programs including the Shoreline HAB Monitoring Network, Lake Foam Study, Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program, and Stream Monitoring Program. Findings inform management strategies to protect the lake and its ecosystem. Populations Served: 70,000 residents and visitors relying on the lake for drinking water and recreation.Launched in 2018, the Lake-Friendly Living Program educates residents and businesses on reducing fertilizer and pesticide runoff to improve water quality. Through workshops, social media, and outreach, CLWA promotes sustainable lawn care and stormwater management. Over 300 properties, including parks, churches, and businesses, have taken the pledge and many display participation signs. Program partners include the City and Town of Canandaigua and the Watershed Council. Expansion to other Finger Lakes is planned. Populations Served: Watershed residents, businesses, and municipal parks.These programs are also supported by contributions.
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
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 November 6, 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 October 1971.
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 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.