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North Santiam Watershed Council

EIN 36-4885684 · Stayton, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$334,896
Spending
$384,721
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 99%
Employees
4
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$79,049, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $256,098 spent. LANDOWNER RESTORATION-OUTREACH TO LANDOWNERS TO PLAN, DESIGN, FINANCE, IMPLEMENT, MANAGE, AND MONITOR RESTORATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE LAND THAT PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE HEALTH OF THE WATERSHED. THE NSWC WORKS WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER TO ASCERTAIN WHICH TYPES OF PROJECTS WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR THEIR PROPERTY AND WHAT THE BENEFITS WOULD BE FOR THEM AND THE WATERSHED PUBLIC SO THAT LANDOWNERS UNDERSTAND THEIR OPTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND FEASIBLE OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECTS. PROJECTS INCLUDE RIPARIAN AND IN-STREAM AQUATIC ENHANCEMENTS, WEED MANAGEMENT, PLANT ESTABLISHMENT, CULVERT REPLACEMENT, PRAIRIE AND OAK HABITAT RESTORATION.
  2. $46,179 spent. COLLABORATIVE PLANNING AND PARTNERSHIP BUILDING- THE NSWC CONVENES STAKEHOLDERS WITH DIVERSE INTERESTS, EXPERTISE AND FOCUS TO SURVEY THE COMBINED LIMITING FACTORS TO ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC HEALTH IN THE WATERSHED, COLLABORATE IN PLANNING ON HOW TO ADDRESS THOSE FACTORS, PRIORITIZE THE COMBINED LIST OF PROJECTS OF THE PARTNERS, STRUCTURE THE PARTNERSHIPS FOR CLEAR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, APPLY FOR AND PULL TOGETHER CAPACITY BUILDING EXPERTISE, COORDINATE THE EFFORT AND ENHANCE THE INCLUSION OF DIVERSITY OF STAKEHOLDERS TO PROMOTE FULL ENGAGEMENT AND MAXIMUM IMPACT. PROJECTS INCLUDE DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANNING, EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATION, SOURCE WATER PROTECTION, RIPARIAN AND AQUATIC HABITAT RESTORATION, NS BASIN SUMMIT, FORESTRY COLLABORATION, OAK AND PRAIRIE RESTORATION. NSWC PARTICIPATES WITH OTHER STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS TO PROMOTE WILLAMETTE VALLEY-WIDE CONSERVATION STRATEGY IN ALIGNMENT WITH FEDERAL AND STATE BIOLOGICAL OPINIONS AND STRATEGIES.
  3. $20,029 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION- ATTEND COMMUNITY EVENTS, PRESENT AT MEETINGS OF ASSOCIATIONS AND AGENCIES, DISTRIBUTE LITERATURE, COOPERATE WITH OTHER NON-PROFITS TO ENHANCE EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, NETWORK WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS TO ENHANCE TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS AND COORDINATION ACROSS NEIGHBORING WATERSHEDS, MAINTAIN A WEBSITE, MAILING LIST, INVITATIONS TO INTERESTED COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS FOR PARTICIPATION IN REGULAR MEETINGS OR SPECIAL EVENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 November 2018.

    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.

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