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Embarras River Basin Agency Inc

EIN 37-0890281 · Greenup, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE EMBARRAS RIVER BASIN AGENCY, INC IS DEDICATED TO SERVING THE NEEDS OF AT-RISK, LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. THE COMMON GOAL OF ALL PROGRAMS WITHIN THE AGENCY IS TO FOSTER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, AND TRUST BETWEEN ALL ENTITIES. THE AGENCY AND STAFF MEMBERS ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING LIFE SKILLS THAT WILL ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO ATTAIN A HIGHER LEVEL OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.

Income
$20.2 million
Spending
$20.4 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 96%
Employees
215
Volunteers
1,959
Highest pay
$168,792, 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    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 (4)
  1. $9.3 million spent. ENERGY PROGRAMS - THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM WEATHERIZED 33 HOMES, ASSISTING 73 INDIVIDUALS, WITH SAFE ENERGY EFFICIENT MEASURES SUCH AS FURNACE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT, WATER HEATER REPLACEMENT, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS, SMOKE DETECTORS, COPPER GAS LINE REPLACEMENT, FLU LINERS, INSULATION, STOPPING AIR INFILTRATION, AND SOME WINDOW AND DOOR REPLACEMENT. UNDER THE PY25 PROGRAM GUIDELINES, EACH JOB IS ALLOCATED TWO "POTS" OF FUNDING, TOTALING $16,000 FOR MATERIALS AND LABOR AND $3,500 FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES. INDIVIDUAL GRANTS ARE CAPPED AT $8,000 FOR MATERIALS AND LABOR AND $1,750 FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY PER POT. FOR PROPERTIES REQUIRING EXTENSIVE RESTORATION, WE MAY SUBMIT A REQUEST TO THE STATE FOR A THIRD POT OF FUNDING TO COVER ADDITIONAL COSTS.
  2. $5.7 million spent. HEAD START - HEAD START IS A PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN 3-5 YEARS OF AGE. ERBA HAS FUNDING FOR AN ENROLLMENT OF 292 CHILDREN. 90% OF THE CHILDREN ARE FROM FAMILIES WHOSE INCOME IS AT OR BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. APPROXIMATELY 15% OF THE ENROLLED CHILDREN HAVE A DIAGNOSED DISABILITY AND ARE REFERRED FOR SPECIALIZED SUPPORT SERVICES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER SCHOOL READINESS SKILLS, AND INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH. A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES MEDICAL, DENTAL, MENTAL HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL SERVICES IS ALSO INCLUDED. FAMILIES ARE ENGAGED IN THE PROGRAM AT ALL LEVELS, AND TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDED TO MOST CHILDREN.
  3. $2.8 million spent. HOUSING PROGRAMS - TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. 555 HOUSEHOLDS, 1070 INDIVIDUALS.
  4. $2.0 million spent. LIHEAP- ASSIST LOW INCOME CITIZENS BY OFFSETTING THE RISING COST OF HOME ENERGY THROUGH DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSITANCE, ENERGY COUSELING, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION. 7023 HOUSEHOLDS.

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 February 1967.

    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.