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Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Inc

EIN 22-2993054 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BUFFALO NIAGARA WATERKEEPER PROTECTS AND RESTORES OUR WATER AND SURROUNDING ECOSYSTEMS FOR THE BENEFIT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. WE PROTECT CLEAN WATER. WE RESTORE THE HEALTH OF ECOSYSTEMS. WE CONNECT PEOPLE TO WATER. WE INSPIRE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
25
Volunteers
1,656
Highest pay
$253,677, executive director

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: 49 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 86% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 70% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $771,048 spent. CLIMATE AND COASTAL RESILIENCY: WE LEAD EFFORTS TO BUILD COMMUNITY AND COASTAL RESILIENCY IN THE FACE OF THE GROWING IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. WE DO THIS THROUGH SYSTEMS LEVEL PLANNING, POLICY INITIATIVES, AND INNOVATIVE METHODS TO RESTORE DEGRADED HABITATS AND ENHANCE WATER QUALITY. OUR IMPACT IS REALIZED THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT PARTNERSHIPS WHILE IMPLEMENTING NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO RESTORE IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS AND BENEFITS.
  2. $663,446 spent. WATER QUALITY PROTECTION: WE WORK TO PROTECT THE PHYSICAL, BIOLOGICAL, AND CHEMICAL INTEGRITY OF OUR CREEKS, STREAMS, RIVERS, AND LAKES TO SAFEGUARD CLEAN DRINKING WATER AND CONSERVE HEALTHY, VIBRANT ECOSYSTEMS. WE DO THIS THROUGH MONITORING OF OUR WATERWAYS, CLEANING UP HISTORICAL POLLUTION, PRESERVING IMPORTANT UNDEVELOPED LANDS, AND ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY IN STEWARDSHIP OF THEIR WATER.
  3. $475,806 spent. WATERWAY ACCESS: WE ESTABLISH AND RESTORE NATURAL AND RECREATIONAL CONNECTIONS TO OUR REGION'S WATERWAYS, TRANSFORMING OUR WATER-BASED ECONOMY. OUR EFFORTS ENHANCE COMMUNITIES AND PUBLIC SPACES AND PROVIDE EASY ACCESS TO OUR SHARED WATERS WHILE CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE TO INTERACT AND RECONNECT WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
  4. $477,697 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ($272,230): WE TRAIN AND EDUCATE PEOPLE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND STEWARDSHIP TO ENCOURAGE A NEW GENERATION THAT WORK TO PROTECT WNY'S WATERWAYS. OUR REGIONALLY FOCUSED PROGRAMS PROVIDE AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE FOR YOUTH AND ADULT AUDIENCES, RESULTING IN AN INCREASED AWARENESS OF GREAT LAKES AND LOCAL WATERWAY RESOURCES AND ISSUES. SCAJAQUADA CREEK: ($205,467): WE COORDINATE THE EFFORTS OF A DIVERSE GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS IN THE SCAJAQUADA CREEK WATERSHED WITH THE GOAL OF IMPLEMENTING A COMPREHENSIVE, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN RESTORATION EFFORT OF THE ENTIRE CREEK SYSTEM. WE DO THIS THROUGH LEADING RESTORATION PROJECTS, MEANINGFULLY ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY, COMPLETING TECHNICAL AND PLANNING STUDIES, AND SECURING FUNDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS RESTORATION VISION. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, SCAJAQUADA CREEK WILL ONCE AGAIN BECOME A THRIVING WATERWAY WITH HEALTHY HABITATS AND RECONNECTED COMMUNITIES.

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 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 October 1989.

    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.

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