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Flint Riverkeeper Inc

EIN 26-3179215 · Albany, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RESTORE AND PRESERVE THE HABITAT, WATER QUALITY AND FLOW OF THE FLINT RIVER WATERSHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS AND DEPENDENT WILDLIFE. ADDRESS REGIONAL AND STATE LAND ISSUES WHICH IMPACT THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES AND GEORGIA RIVER SYSTEMS.

Income
$710,501
Spending
$655,550
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
4
Volunteers
165
Highest pay
$121,057, executive di

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (5)
  1. $41,309 spent. PROVIDED THE GENERAL PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION CONCERNING THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING THE FLINT RIVER FROM POLUTION AND DAMS FOR THE PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. THESE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED VIA PRINTED MATERIALS, ONLINE BLOGS AND ARTICLES, PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND THE HOSTING OF SPECIAL EVENTS THAT PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK DIRECTLY WITH THOSE WHO SHARE IN THE OBJECTIVE OF PERSERVING THE FLINT RIVER ECOSYSTEM. ENCOURAGED THE PUBLIC TO INFLUENCE THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO PROMOTE GOOD POLICIES TO PROTECT CLEAN, FLOWING WATER.
  2. $126,299 spent. CONTINUED FISCAL SPONSORSHIP OF TALBOT CITIZENS' UNITED WORK TO REVERSE A ZONING DECISION THAT WOULD ALLOW A HARD ROCK MINE (QUARRY) TO BE LOCATED IN AN AREA OF TALBOT COUNTY GA PREVIOUSLY DESIGNATED AS A PROTECTED NATURAL AREA. THE AREA ALSO CONTAINS IMPORTANT WATER RESOURCES TRIBUTARY TO THE FLINT RIVER. LEGAL ACTION AGAINS THE COUNTY AND THE MINERS HAVE BEEN FILED. RESTRICTED FUNDS ARE USED ONLY FOR THESE PURPOSES.
  3. $56,456 spent. ASSISTED CITIZENS IN DECATUR COUNTY WITH THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MONKEY-BREEDING FACILITY (30,000 ANIMALS, PROPOSE) VIA TACTICAL AND STRATEGIC CAMPAIGN ADVICE, DIRECT INPUT ON WATER-QUALITY ISSUES, AND HOUSING THEIR CHECKING ACCOUNT.
  4. $213,355 spent. 4TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT -CONTINUED WORK IN THE UPPER AND LOWER FLINT TO DIMINISH THE EFFECTS OF OVER. 35,268.20 5TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT - AFTER SETTLING (WINNING) CLEAN WATER ACT LAWSUIT AGAINST MAJOR SOURCE OF DISCHARGE IN THE SUMTER COUNTY PORTION OF THE MUCKALEE CREEK SYSTEM (LEATHERBROOK DAIRY) IN 2023, CONTINUED ONITORING OF THE SETTLEMENT. 30,871.52 6TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT - CONTINUED, AS REQUIRED BY OUR LICENSE AND AS HAPPENS EVERY WEEK OF EVERY YEAR, INVESTIGATIONS OF CITIZEN COMPLAINTS OF WATER QUALITY ISSUES (POLLUTION) AND IMPROPER PERMITTING OR USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES, ABUSE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (OVERUSE OF WATER). 30,508.10 7TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT - INITIATED EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION OF POLLUTION SOURCES INTO WATERS OF THE US AND WATERS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA BY A DATA-CENTER DEVELOPMENT (QTS) IN FAYETTE COUNTY. EXTENSIVE DATA COLLECTION DURING DRY AND WET PERIODS; LIGHT, MODERATE, AND HEAVY RAIN EVENTS. EXTENSIVE COMMUNICIATON WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT, GAE+PD, AND FLINT RK COUNSEL. 29,643.89 8TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT -CONTINUED INVESTIGATION OF MODERATE SOURCE OF POLLUTION INTO WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES AND WATERS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA BY A FERTILIZER MIXING PLANT IN MILLER COUNTY. EXTENTENSIVE DATA COLLECTION DURING MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN EVENTS; EXTENSIVE LEGAL CONSULTATION. 29,643.89 9TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT - MONITORED PROCESS OF BUILDOUT OF REMEDIES FOR SEWER OVERFLOWS AND POLLUTION OF THE FLINT BY THE CITY OF ALBANY. 28,709.76 10TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT - CONTINUED CAMPAIGN TO SECURE PUBLIC FISHING RIGHTS IN THE NAVIGABLE WATERS OF GEORGIA, TO INSURE ACCURATE AND REASONABLE DELINEATION OF GEORGIA'S NAVIGABLE WATERS, AND TO SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDE PROPER PROTECTIONS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS. CONTINUED TO MONITOR LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY A RIVERFRONT PROPERTY OWNER ALONG THE UPPER FLINT. OUR MOTION TO INTERVENE IN THE CASE WAS DENIED (ALONGSIDE OUR PARTNER, THE GA WILDLIFE FEDERATION) BUT OUR INPUT TO THE STATE'S LEGAL TEAM CONTINUED. 28,709.76
  5. 4TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT -CONTINUED WORK IN THE UPPER AND LOWER FLINT TO DIMINISH THE EFFECTS OF OVER. 35,268.20 5TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT - AFTER SETTLING (WINNING) CLEAN WATER ACT LAWSUIT AGAINST MAJOR SOURCE OF DISCHARGE IN THE SUMTER COUNTY PORTION OF THE MUCKALEE CREEK SYSTEM (LEATHERBROOK DAIRY) IN 2023, CONTINUED ONITORING OF THE SETTLEMENT. 30,871.52 6TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT - CONTINUED, AS REQUIRED BY OUR LICENSE AND AS HAPPENS EVERY WEEK OF EVERY YEAR, INVESTIGATIONS OF CITIZEN COMPLAINTS OF WATER QUALITY ISSUES (POLLUTION) AND IMPROPER PERMITTING OR USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES, ABUSE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (OVERUSE OF WATER). 30,508.10 7TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT - INITIATED EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION OF POLLUTION SOURCES INTO WATERS OF THE US AND WATERS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA BY A DATA-CENTER DEVELOPMENT (QTS) IN FAYETTE COUNTY. EXTENSIVE DATA COLLECTION DURING DRY AND WET PERIODS; LIGHT, MODERATE, AND HEAVY RAIN EVENTS. EXTENSIVE COMMUNICIATON WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT, GAE+PD, AND FLINT RK COUNSEL. 29,643.89 8TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT -CONTINUED INVESTIGATION OF MODERATE SOURCE OF POLLUTION INTO WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES AND WATERS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA BY A FERTILIZER MIXING PLANT IN MILLER COUNTY. EXTENTENSIVE DATA COLLECTION DURING MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN EVENTS; EXTENSIVE LEGAL CONSULTATION. 29,643.89 9TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT - MONITORED PROCESS OF BUILDOUT OF REMEDIES FOR SEWER OVERFLOWS AND POLLUTION OF THE FLINT BY THE CITY OF ALBANY. 28,709.76 10TH EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENT - CONTINUED CAMPAIGN TO SECURE PUBLIC FISHING RIGHTS IN THE NAVIGABLE WATERS OF GEORGIA, TO INSURE ACCURATE AND REASONABLE DELINEATION OF GEORGIA'S NAVIGABLE WATERS, AND TO SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDE PROPER PROTECTIONS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS. CONTINUED TO MONITOR LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY A RIVERFRONT PROPERTY OWNER ALONG THE UPPER FLINT. OUR MOTION TO INTERVENE IN THE CASE WAS DENIED (ALONGSIDE OUR PARTNER, THE GA WILDLIFE FEDERATION) BUT OUR INPUT TO THE STATE'S LEGAL TEAM CONTINUED. 28,709.76

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 March 2009.

    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.