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The Ohio Water Environment Association

EIN 31-0892817 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE OHIO WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION, INC. STRIVES TO BE THE LEADING WATER RESOURCE ORGANIZATION FOR PRESERVING AND ENHANCING OHIO'S WATER ENVIRONMENT THROUGH EDUCATING MEMBERS, SHARING INFORMATION AND NETWORKING, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON PRESERVING AND ENHANCING WATER QUALITY, BEING PROACTIVE ON WATER ENVIRONMENT ISSUES, AND BUILDING A POSITIVE PROFESSIONAL IMAGE WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANIZATION ARE TO PROMOTE THE SCIENCE AND PRACTICE OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE TREATMENT; TO ADVANCE FUNDAMENTAL AND PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING THE NATURE, COLLECTION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF WASTEWATER AND INDUSTRIAL WASTES; TO AID IN IMPROVING THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF TREATMENT WORKS; TO PROMOTE IMPROVED SANITATION OF WATERWAYS; AND TO ENCOURAGE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, AND WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$737,384
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
20.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$108,701, 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

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% 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 December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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

    0 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. $29,391 spent. WORKSHOPS
  2. $475,744 spent. THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS ANNUAL AND SPECIALTY CONFERENCES FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP RELATING TO CURRENT INFORMATION REGARDING WATER POLLUTION CONTROLS.
  3. $6,065 spent. WEF MEETINGS
  4. THE ORGANIZATION PUBLISHES A MAGAZINE ADDRESSING CURRENT ISSUES RELATED TO WATER POLUTION AND CIRCULATES IT TO ITS MEMBERSHIP. COMMITTEES HANDLE ALL COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES TO OPERATE ASSOCIATION FUNCTIONS.
  5. THE ORGANIZATION PUBLISHES A MAGAZINE ADDRESSING CURRENT ISSUES RELATED TO WATER POLUTION AND CIRCULATES IT TO ITS MEMBERSHIP. COMMITTEES HANDLE ALL COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES TO OPERATE ASSOCIATION FUNCTIONS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 May 1977.

    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.