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Passes our checks

American Water Works Association

EIN 23-7052846 · Lexington, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE SCAWWA IS TO PROMOTE THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELFARE BY ADVOCATING DRINKING WATER OF SUPERIOR QUALITY AND SUFFICIENT QUANTITY AND BY DEVELOPING AND FURTHERING THE UNDERSTANDING OF TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES RELATIVE TO THE DRINKING WATER INDUSTRY'S ROLE OF STEWARDSHIP OF WATER BY: 1. ADVANCING AND DISSEMINATING KNOWLEDGE OF THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER FACILITIES AND ENCOURAGING THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND EXPERIENCE IN THESE GOALS; 2. FOSTERING COOPERATION WITH OTHER SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN ADEQUATE WATER FACILITIES FOR SOUTH CAROLINA CITIZENS; 3. PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING APPROPRIATE CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO ELEVATE THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SCAWWA; AND TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY OR CONVENIENT, AND NOT INCONSISTENT WITH LAW OR WITH THE PURPOSES OF THE AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION ("

Income
$803,050
Spending
$635,902
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
11.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 90%
Employees
5
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$140,107, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 June 30, 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)
  1. $435,712 spent. EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR MEMBERS, INCLUDING AWARDS AND STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    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 May 1969.

    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.