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Hackensack Riverkeeper Inc

EIN 22-3530496 · Hackensack, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF HACKENSACK RIVERKEEPER IS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND RESTORE THE HACKENSACK RIVER WATERSHED AND ITS LIVING RESOURCES. HACKENSACK RIVERKEEPER FIGHTS FOR CLEAN WATER, OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION, AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE RIVER FOR BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RECREATION.

Income
$855,378
Spending
$871,440
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
10.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
56
Volunteers
1,200
Highest pay
$79,180, 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 94% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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. $142,419 spent. ECO- CRUISES:HACKENSACK RIVERKEEPER HOSTED 2,153 ADULTS, STUDENTS AND CHILDREN ON OURECO-CRUISES. THE EDUCATIIONAL OUTREACH DURING THE 2.5 HOUR TOUR INCLUDES A NARRATIVE THAT DESCRIBES THE ECO-SYSTEM, POLUTION, WILDLIFE AND RECOVERY OF THE RIVER AND THE MEADOWLANDS.
  2. $95,243 spent. CLEANUPS:HACKENSACK RIVERKEEPER HAS AN AMBITIOUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP CLEAN-UP PROGRAM WITHIN THE WATERSHED. OVER 36,438 POUNDS OF DEBRIS WERE REMOVED LAST YEAR THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF VOLUNTEERS AND CORPORATE PARTNERS. PLASTICS, TIRES, APPLIANCES AND PAPER DEBRIS COMPRISED THE BULK OF THE ITEMS FOUND. THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION ABOUT THE SOURCE OF THE POLLUTION HAS BEEN ONGOING GOAL OF THE PROGRAM.
  3. $97,769 spent. PADDLING:HACKENSACK RIVERKEEPER OPERATES THREE PADDLE CENTERS ON THE HACKENSACK RIVER. RIVERKEEPER PARTNERS WITH BERGEN COUNTYPARKS AND HUDSON COUNTY PARKS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE WATERSHED RESOURCES. IN ADDITION, PROGRAMS ARE COORDINATED WITH VARIOUS URBAN CITIES, COMMUNITIES AND GROUPS. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2024, 5013 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM
  4. $407,062 spent. HACKENSACK RIVERKEEPER CONDUCTS VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE FISHING DERBIES, VOLUNTEER SOCIALS, GIVING DAY, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS,ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.