Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Charleston Waterkeeper

EIN 26-4178586 · Mt Pleasant, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair66 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHARLESTON WATERKEEPER'S MISSION IT TO PROTECT AND RESTORE CHARLESTON'S WATERWAYS FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. WE DO THAT THROUGH AN EFFECTIVE MIX OF BOOTS-ON-THE-WATER STEWARDSHIP AND DATA-DRIVEN ADVOCACY DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO CLEAN WATER.

Income
$746,260
Spending
$497,059
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
17.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
8
Volunteers
1,600
Highest pay
$98,000, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

    14 of 14 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 (1)
  1. $321,579 spent. PROGRAMMATIC EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON THE ASHELEY/COOPER RIVER BASIN. OUR PROGRAMS MONITOR LOCAL WATERWAYS, INVESTIGATE POLLUTION INCIDENTS, PROMOTE HABITAT RESTORATION AND SUPPORT SCIENTIFIC AND OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITY. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY THREE PRIMARY ACTIVITIES: 1. WATER QUALITY TESTING: WE TEST WATER QUALITY TO DRIVE ACTION THAT PROTECTS AND RESTORES YOUR WATERWAYS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN ENJOY THE WATER WITHOUT POLLUTION.2. CLEAN WATER ADVOCACY: WE TAKE ACTION TO HOLD POLLUTERS AND YOUR ELECTED LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR FOLLOWING THE LAW SO YOUR WATERWAYS HAVE A STRONG VOICE FOR PROTECTION.3. HABITAT RESTORATION: WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO BUILD OYSTER REEF, PLANT MARSH GRASS, CLEAN OYSTER SHELL, AND REMOVE PLASTIC DEBRIS TO RESTORE YOUR MARSHES AND CREEKS SO THEY CAN PROTECT ALL OF US FROM CLIMATE CHANGE.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2012.

    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 April 2014.

    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.