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Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association Inc

EIN 23-1568107 · Ambler, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE INSPIRE AND ENGAGE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES OF PEOPLE TO PROTECT, STEWARD AND ENJOY THE LAND AND WATERWAYS OF THE WISSAHICKON VALLEY.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
12.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
19
Volunteers
739
Highest pay
$179,447, 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. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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

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

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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, 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)
  1. $569,577 spent. CONSERVATION - LAND ACQUIRED THROUGH PURCHASE OR EASEMENT RIGHTS IS MAINTAINED AS NATURAL OPEN SPACE ALONG THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE WISSAHICKON CREEK. WALKING TRAILS WITH BRIDGES, STEPPING STONES AND SIGNAGE ARE MAINTAINED SO THAT WISSAHICKON WATERSHED RESIDENTS AND VISITORS CAN EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF NATURAL AREAS. PRESERVING WOODLANDS, RE-FORESTING FARMLANDS AND STREAM BANK RESTORATION PROTECTS THE CREEK BY PREVENTING EXCESSIVE STORM WATER RUNOFF AND THE DRAINING OF HARMFUL CHEMICALS INTO THE CREEK. WISSAHICKON TRAILS WORKS WITH LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES, LANDOWNERS AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS TO PRESERVE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE PARCELS NOT DIRECTLY ADJOINING THE CREEK. WVWA IS A LEADER IN COORDINATING EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE WATER QUALITY OF THE WISSAHICKON CREEK. WISSAHICKON TRAILS REGULARLY MEASURES SEVERAL DIFFERENT INDICATORS OF THE HEALTH OF THE CREEK AND PROVIDES THE DATA TO MUNICIPALITIES AND LOCAL WATER SUPPLIERS.
  2. $680,916 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH - WE STRIVE TO MAKE ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE. TO THAT END, COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES INFORM OUR PROGRAM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT. LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE PRESERVE WALKS, NATURAL HISTORY LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON CONSERVATION, IN ADDITION TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION. WE OFFER A VARIETY OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND CLASSES TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATURAL WORLD AND THE PLACE HUMANS HOLD IN IT. OUR FLAGSHIP COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORTERS TO COMMIT THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO HELP IMPROVE THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH HANDS-ON FIELD EXPERIENCES SUPERVISED BY WISSAHICKON TRAILS' STAFF. OUR SCHOOL PROGRAMS REACH MORE THAN 2,000 LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE WATERSHED IN WHICH WE PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND CURRICULUM SUPPORT IN ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND SUSTAINABILITY. A COHORT OF VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL PROGRAMS AS PART OF OUR LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.
  3. EVANS-MUMBOWER MILL - AS PART OF ITS MISSION, WVWA ALSO PRESERVES HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SITES WHICH ARE OF SIGNIFICANCE TO THE WISSAHICKON CREEK. IN 1987, WISSAHICKON TRAILS WAS DEEDED THE LAND AND REMAINS OF A HISTORIC MILL IN UPPER GWYNEDD TOWNSHIP. FUNDING THROUGH VARIOUS GRANTS AND DONATIONS HAS ALLOWED WISSAHICKON TRAILS TO PROGRESSIVELY RESTORE THE MILL. THE PROPERTY IS NOW ACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES WITH AN EXTERIOR RAMP AND LIFT. IT HOSTED A SEVEN-YEAR ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG THAT TURNED UP ARTIFACTS AND ENHANCED THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUILDING STRUCTURE AND ITS FORMER OPERATIONAL CAPACITY DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE MILLING INDUSTRY IN THE 18TH AND EARLY 19TH CENTURIES.

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

  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 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 March 1960.

    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.