Ohio River Foundation
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
To protect and improve the Ohio River and its watershed through advocacy, habitat restoration, school education, and youth programs.
- Income
- $425,997
- Spending
- $656,103
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 1.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 23
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $135,609, 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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 54% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 94% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $328,330 spent. Conservation: The primary objective of our restoration and advocacy work is to drive significant improvements in the health of the Ohio River watershed and create climate change resilient habitats. Consistent with the ORF strategic plan, this involves developing and recommending priorities for the Organizations policy work, engaging our members and implementing restoration elements of the plan. We utilize a combination of strategies to help achieve a reduction in watershed pollution and restoration and protection of critical habitats. Our focus is government policies; private sector practices; and citizen engagement.
- $162,980 spent. Education: ORFs education programs are responsible for leading students and teachers in hands-on, enironmental education experiences. Through education programs, our professional educators use innovative teaching methods to engage students in real- world issues and scientific inquiry, exciting and encouraging them to take action to protect our natural resources. Student conservation leadership program activities during the summer further train student leaders from area high schools. Our river explorer field trips and first-in-the-nation mussels in the classroom experiences reach thousands of students each year in greater Cincinnati, Columbus and Lexington.
- $55,022 spent. Communications: Communications activities market ORF, educate and engage the public, and mobilize support for organizational priorities and Ohio River watershed protection and restoration efforts. Communication tactics are to develop well-researched messages and deliver them through integrated channels, including: earned, paid or donated media; digital media, including the ORF website, social media, and outbound e-mails; and any other forms of direct or indirect communications with our members and the public at large.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of December 31, 2000. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 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.