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Friends of the Yampa Inc

EIN 27-3657002 · Steamboat Spr, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND RECREATIONAL INTEGRITY OF THE YAMPA RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES, THROUGH STEWARDSHIP, ADVOCACY, EDUCATION AND PARTNERSHIPS.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
4.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
13
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$92,474, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 80% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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

    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 (5)
  1. $219,196 spent. YAMPA RIVER FUND, AN ENDOWMENT FUND OF THE YAMPA VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND MANAGED BY FRIENDS OF THE YAMPA. THE YAMPA RIVER FUND HAS ITS OWN BOARD AND STEERING COMMITTEE WHO MAKE DECISIONS ON GRANT MAKING FOR WATER RELEASES, HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS AND MULTI-BENEFIT PROJECTS. FUNDS ARE GRANTED TO FRIENDS OF THE YAMPA, WHICH EXECUTES THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE FUND'S BOARD AND MANAGES GRANTED FUNDS.
  2. $249,897 spent. THE YAMPA RIVER STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (YSTEW) IS A PLANNING AND CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM LED BY FRIENDS OF THE YAMPA AND SUPPORTED BY THE YAMPA RIVER COLLABORATIVE. USING RIVER HEALTH DATA AND STAKEHOLDER INPUT, YSTEW IDENTIFIES SPECIFIC WAYS TO MOVE THE YAMPA TO A HEALTHIER STATE THROUGH EMPOWERING LANDOWNERS, LAND MANAGERS, AND PRACTITIONERS TO IMPLEMENT RIVER RESTORATION PROJECTS AND LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT RIVER HEALTH. SPECIFICALLY, YSTEW DOES THIS BY: 1) ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS TO DEFINE DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO MOVE EXISTING CONDITIONS TOWARD THIS VISION, 2) IDENTIFYING COMMON BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTING RIVER RESTORATION PROJECTS AND LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, AND 3) PROVIDING LANDOWNERS, LAND MANAGERS, AND PRACTITIONERS WITH TRAINING ON HOW TO USE THE IDENTIFIED STRATEGIES, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION. THE YAMPA RIVER STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (YSTEW) IS A PLANNING AND CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM LED BY FRIENDS OF THE YAMPA AND SUPPORTED BY THE YAMPA RIVER COLLABORATIVE. USING RIVER HEALTH DATA AND STAKEHOLDER INPUT, YSTEW IDENTIFIES SPECIFIC WAYS TO MOVE THE YAMPA TO A HEALTHIER STATE THROUGH EMPOWERING LANDOWNERS, LAND MANAGERS, AND PRACTITIONERS TO IMPLEMENT RIVER RESTORATION PROJECTS AND LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT SUPPORT RIVER HEALTH. SPECIFICALLY, YSTEW DOES THIS BY: 1) ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS TO DEFINE DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS AND DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO MOVE EXISTING CONDITIONS TOWARD THIS VISION, 2) IDENTIFYING COMMON BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTING RIVER RESTORATION PROJECTS AND LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, AND 3) PROVIDING LANDOWNERS, LAND MANAGERS, AND PRACTITIONERS WITH TRAINING ON HOW TO USE THE IDENTIFIED STRATEGIES, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION.
  3. $181,603 spent. THE YAMPA RIVER AWARENESS PROJECT'S (YRAP) GOALS ARE TO: DOCUMENT THE UNIQUE RESOURCES AND VALUES OF THE WILD AND FREE FLOWING YAMPA RIVER. INFORM THE PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS ABOUT THESE VALUES AND WHAT COULD BE LOST IF A MAJOR DAM, DIVERSION OR DEWATERING PROJECT OCCURS ON THE YAMPA. INSPIRE PEOPLE TO PROTECT THE YAMPA RIVER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. YAMPA RIVER FESTIVAL WHICH RAISES AWARENESS OF THE YAMPA RIVER LOCATED IN COLORADO AND UTAH. THE EVENT COMBINES FEATURED SPEAKERS DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE YAMPA RIVER AS WELL AS RIVER RELATED COMPETETIVE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. YAMPA RIVER YOUTH CAMPS: THE MAIN GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO TRAVEL SAFELY IN WHITEWATER RIVER CONDITIONS WHILE FALLING IN LOVE WITH ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCES HERE IN THE YAMPA VALLEY. THIS CLASS WILL CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH OF NORTHWEST COLORADO TO GET THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR WITH NOT ONLY BEGINNER RIVER SKILLS BUT ALSO ON LOCAL RIVER KNOWLEDGE. THROUGH RIVER CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION YOUTH WILL COME AWAY AS AGENTS OF CHANGE AND STEWARDS TO OUR LOCAL RIVER AND ADJACENT AGRICULTURAL, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS. PUBLIC RELATIONS DESIGNED TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE YAMPA RIVER AND IT'S TRIBUTARIES. THE YAMPA RIVER AWARENESS PROJECT'S (YRAP) GOALS ARE TO: DOCUMENT THE UNIQUE RESOURCES AND VALUES OF THE WILD AND FREE FLOWING YAMPA RIVER. INFORM THE PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS ABOUT THESE VALUES AND WHAT COULD BE LOST IF A MAJOR DAM, DIVERSION OR DEWATERING PROJECT OCCURS ON THE YAMPA. INSPIRE PEOPLE TO PROTECT THE YAMPA RIVER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. YAMPA RIVER FESTIVAL WHICH RAISES AWARENESS OF THE YAMPA RIVER LOCATED IN COLORADO AND UTAH. THE EVENT COMBINES FEATURED SPEAKERS DISCUSSING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE YAMPA RIVER AS WELL AS RIVER RELATED COMPETETIVE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. YAMPA RIVER YOUTH CAMPS: THE MAIN GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO TRAVEL SAFELY IN WHITEWATER RIVER CONDITIONS WHILE FALLING IN LOVE WITH ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCES HERE IN THE YAMPA VALLEY. THIS CLASS WILL CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH OF NORTHWEST COLORADO TO GET THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR WITH NOT ONLY BEGINNER RIVER SKILLS BUT ALSO ON LOCAL RIVER KNOWLEDGE. THROUGH RIVER CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION YOUTH WILL COME AWAY AS AGENTS OF CHANGE AND STEWARDS TO OUR LOCAL RIVER AND ADJACENT AGRICULTURAL, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS. PUBLIC RELATIONS DESIGNED TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE YAMPA RIVER AND IT'S TRIBUTARIES.
  4. $198,172 spent. YAMPA RIVER SCORECARD PROJECT: THE YRSP IS A LONG-TERM RIVER HEALTH MONITORING AND EVALUATION PROGRAM FOR THE YAMPA BASIN THAT WILL RATE THE OVERALL CONDITION OF DIFFERENT SEGMENTS OF THE YAMPA RIVER AND ARTICULATE RESULTS THROUGH "SCORECARD". A COMPREHENSIVE LONG-TERM MONITORING PROGRAM HAS YET TO EXIST IN THE YAMPA BASIN.
  5. YAMPA RIVER SCORECARD PROJECT: THE YRSP IS A LONG-TERM RIVER HEALTH MONITORING AND EVALUATION PROGRAM FOR THE YAMPA BASIN THAT WILL RATE THE OVERALL CONDITION OF DIFFERENT SEGMENTS OF THE YAMPA RIVER AND ARTICULATE RESULTS THROUGH "SCORECARD". A COMPREHENSIVE LONG-TERM MONITORING PROGRAM HAS YET TO EXIST IN THE YAMPA BASIN.

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 2010.

    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.