Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership

EIN 27-4185518 · N Chesterfld, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak26 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

GREATER RICHMOND AQUATICS PARTNERSHIP CHANGED ITS TRADE NAME TO SWIMRVA IN 2014. THE MISSION OF SWIMRVA (GRAP) IS TO SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR WATER SAFETY, HEALTH AND FITNESS, SPORTS TOURISM, COMPETITIVE AQUATICS, AND POSSIBILITY, FOR ALL RICHMONDERS. SWIMRVA IS BUILDING SOCIAL BRIDGES THROUGH AQUATICS THAT CROSS PHYSICAL, RACIAL, AND ECONOMIC BARRIERS. SWIMRVA IS WORKING TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY AS IT RELATES TO AQUATICS IN THE RICHMOND REGION BY FOCUSING ON UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES. 70 PERCENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN DO NOT LEARN HOW TO SWIM AND A STAGGERING 50% OF THE POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO SWIM. 79 PERCENT OF CHILDREN FROM HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOME BELOW 50,000 DO NOT LEARN HOW TO SWIM AND DROWNING IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH FOR ALL CHILDREN. SWIMRVA IS WORKING TO STOP THE CYCLE OF NON-SWIMMING GIVING RICHMOND RESIDENTS AN AVENUE FOR HEALTH EQUITY IN ALL CORNERS OF THE OUR REGION.

Income
$6.2 million
Spending
$6.9 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-14.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
338
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$207,452, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 75% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 20 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 (5)
  1. $2.1 million spent. LEARN TO SWIM: LEARN TO SWIM: TEACH EVERY SECOND-GRADE CHILD IN THE RICHMOND REGION HOW TO SWIM. WE PROVIDE COST-FREE SWIMMING LESSONS TO SECOND GRADERS IN 6 SCHOOL DIVISIONS THROUGHOUT THE RICHMOND REGION. SWIMRVA IS WORKING TO INSPIRE, IMPLEMENT AND SUSTAIN A SEVEN-LESSON CURRICULUM IN 152 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ACROSS 12 JURISDICTIONS. SINCE INCEPTION (2012), SWIMRVA HAS TAUGHT 20,495 CHILDREN THROUGH THE COST-FREE PROGRAM. THE NEED IS STAGGERING AS 79% OF CHILDREN IN THE US FROM HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOME UNDER 50,000 WILL NEVER LEARN TO SWIM. DROWNING IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH FOR KIDS UNDER 14 AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHILDREN DROWN AT RATES FIVE TIMES THAT OF THE REST OF THE POPULATION.
  2. $875,896 spent. SWIMRVA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: SWIMRVA HAS GROWN SAFETY TRAINING COURSES AND INCREASED THE WORKFORCE SUPPLY OF AQUATIC PROFESSIONALS. THE SAFETY SCHOOL COMBINES TRAINING FOR AQUATIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS, SAFETY PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS, CERTIFIED POOL OPERATORS AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SKILLS. SWIMRVA IS ELEVATING THE REGION WITH THE CREATION OF A ONE-STOP ACADEMY FOR ASPIRING LIFEGUARDS AND THE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS BUSINESSES IN OUR REGION'S AQUATIC INDUSTRY NEED TO GROW THEIR PROFESSIONAL STAFF - LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTORS AND CERTIFIED POOL OPERATORS. THE COMBINATION OF SERVICES IS STEADILY IMPROVING THE AQUATIC PROFESSIONAL'S CORE COMPETENCIES THROUGHOUT THE RICHMOND REGION. SWIMRVA ADDITIONALLY DELIVERS A GROUNDBREAKING COST-FREE LIFEGUARD TRAINING PROGRAM IN 8 HIGH SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE REGION, REPRESENTING FOUR SCHOOL DIVISIONS. TOGETHER, SWIMRVA CERTIFIED 727 PROFESSIONALS LAST YEAR. SWIMRVA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: SWIMRVA HAS GROWN SAFETY TRAINING COURSES AND INCREASED THE WORKFORCE SUPPLY OF AQUATIC PROFESSIONALS. THE SAFETY SCHOOL COMBINES TRAINING FOR AQUATIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS, SAFETY PROFESSIONAL TRAINERS, CERTIFIED POOL OPERATORS AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SKILLS. SWIMRVA IS ELEVATING THE REGION WITH THE CREATION OF A ONE-STOP ACADEMY FOR ASPIRING LIFEGUARDS AND THE PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS BUSINESSES IN OUR REGION'S AQUATIC INDUSTRY NEED TO GROW THEIR PROFESSIONAL STAFF - LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTORS AND CERTIFIED POOL OPERATORS. THE COMBINATION OF SERVICES IS STEADILY IMPROVING THE AQUATIC PROFESSIONAL'S CORE COMPETENCIES THROUGHOUT THE RICHMOND REGION. SWIMRVA ADDITIONALLY DELIVERS A GROUNDBREAKING COST-FREE LIFEGUARD TRAINING PROGRAM IN 8 HIGH SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE REGION, REPRESENTING FOUR SCHOOL DIVISIONS. TOGETHER, SWIMRVA CERTIFIED 727 PROFESSIONALS LAST YEAR.
  3. $460,089 spent. HEALTH AND WELLNESS: CREATING HEALTH EQUITY THROUGH AQUATICS. THE ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TO CREATE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO AQUATICS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. HISTORICALLY, AQUATICS HAVE BEEN EXCLUSIVE DUE TO FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL LIMITATIONS. SWIMRVA IS WORKING TO ENSURE EVERY RICHMONDER HAS ACCESS TO BE ACTIVE THROUGH AQUATIC OPPORTUNITIES. IN FY25 SWIMRVA SUPPORTED THE COMMUNITY WITH OVER 190,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO FAMILIES AT OR BELOW 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL FOR PROGRAMS RANGING FROM YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS, SWIM LESSONS, COMPETITIVE AQUATIC TEAMS, FACILITY PASSES AND OUR WELLNESS PROGRAMS. SWIMRVA SWIM AID IS ON TRACK TO DELIVER OVER 225,000 IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN FY26. THE ORGANIZATION HAS A PARTICULARLY STRONG ENGAGEMENT WITH SENIORS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. SWIMRVA SERVED OVER 600 SENIORS A WEEK WITH OVER 70 GROUP EXERCISE COURSES A WEEK. THE ORGANIZATION IS FIGHTING SENIOR ISOLATION AND WORKING TO ENSURE OUR SENIORS LIVE YOUNGER, LONGER. HEALTH AND WELLNESS: CREATING HEALTH EQUITY THROUGH AQUATICS. THE ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TO CREATE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO AQUATICS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. HISTORICALLY, AQUATICS HAVE BEEN EXCLUSIVE DUE TO FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL LIMITATIONS. SWIMRVA IS WORKING TO ENSURE EVERY RICHMONDER HAS ACCESS TO BE ACTIVE THROUGH AQUATIC OPPORTUNITIES. IN FY25 SWIMRVA SUPPORTED THE COMMUNITY WITH OVER 190,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO FAMILIES AT OR BELOW 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL FOR PROGRAMS RANGING FROM YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS, SWIM LESSONS, COMPETITIVE AQUATIC TEAMS, FACILITY PASSES AND OUR WELLNESS PROGRAMS. SWIMRVA SWIM AID IS ON TRACK TO DELIVER OVER 225,000 IN FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN FY26. THE ORGANIZATION HAS A PARTICULARLY STRONG ENGAGEMENT WITH SENIORS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. SWIMRVA SERVED OVER 600 SENIORS A WEEK WITH OVER 70 GROUP EXERCISE COURSES A WEEK. THE ORGANIZATION IS FIGHTING SENIOR ISOLATION AND WORKING TO ENSURE OUR SENIORS LIVE YOUNGER, LONGER.
  4. $2.7 million spent. COMPETITIVE AQUATICS: THE GOAL IS TO ELEVATE COMPETITIVE AQUATICS IN THE RICHMOND REGION THROUGH INSPIRING GROWTH IN COMPETITIVE SWIMMING PROGRAMMING AND BRINGING THE NATION'S LARGEST EVENTS TO THE COMMONWEALTH. SWIMRVA'S FLAGSHIP FACILITY IS HOME TO THE 2008 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS COMPETITION POOL. THE NINE WORLD RECORDS, 21 AMERICAN RECORDS THAT HAVE BEEN SET IN SWIMRVA'S POOL, MAKE IT THE FASTEST POOL ON THE EASTERN SEABOARD. SWIMRVA SUPPORTS MAJOR COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS REPRESENTING USA SWIMMING, U.S. MASTERS SWIMMING, USA WATER POLO, USA ARTISTIC SWIMMING AND SPECIAL OLYMPICS. SWIMRVA IS THE ONLY AQUATICS PROVIDER IN THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING ACROSS FIVE GOVERNING BODIES IN AQUATIC SPORT. AT SWIMRVA'S FLAGSHIP FACILITY 34 MULTI-DAY EVENTS AND A GRAND TOTAL OF 112 DAYS OF COMPETITION WERE SUPPORTED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR GENERATING OVER 7 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR THE RICHMOND REGION.
  5. COMPETITIVE AQUATICS: THE GOAL IS TO ELEVATE COMPETITIVE AQUATICS IN THE RICHMOND REGION THROUGH INSPIRING GROWTH IN COMPETITIVE SWIMMING PROGRAMMING AND BRINGING THE NATION'S LARGEST EVENTS TO THE COMMONWEALTH. SWIMRVA'S FLAGSHIP FACILITY IS HOME TO THE 2008 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS COMPETITION POOL. THE NINE WORLD RECORDS, 21 AMERICAN RECORDS THAT HAVE BEEN SET IN SWIMRVA'S POOL, MAKE IT THE FASTEST POOL ON THE EASTERN SEABOARD. SWIMRVA SUPPORTS MAJOR COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS REPRESENTING USA SWIMMING, U.S. MASTERS SWIMMING, USA WATER POLO, USA ARTISTIC SWIMMING AND SPECIAL OLYMPICS. SWIMRVA IS THE ONLY AQUATICS PROVIDER IN THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC TO SUPPORT PROGRAMMING ACROSS FIVE GOVERNING BODIES IN AQUATIC SPORT. AT SWIMRVA'S FLAGSHIP FACILITY 34 MULTI-DAY EVENTS AND A GRAND TOTAL OF 112 DAYS OF COMPETITION WERE SUPPORTED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR GENERATING OVER 7 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR THE RICHMOND REGION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 October 13, 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 July 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 August 2011.

    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 October 21, 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.