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Great Rivers Land Preservation Association Inc

EIN 37-1309728 · Alton, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROTECTION OF PROPERTY FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES THROUGH EASEMENTS AND ACQUISITION

Income
$538,618
Spending
$459,264
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
4
Highest pay
$118,000, 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: 88 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    52% 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 25

    10 of 10 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 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 (2)
  1. $210,755 spent. GREAT RIVERS LAND TRUST PRESERVES LAND AND WATERS THROUGH PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS, EASEMENTS, AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS. TO DATE, GREAT RIVERS PROTECTS OVER 4,000 ACRES OF LAND IN ILLINOIS AND MISSOURI THROUGH VARIOUS TOOLS USED BY LAND TRUSTS THROUGHOUT THE NATION. IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPERTIES OWNED, GREAT RIVERS PROVIDES STEWARDSHIP MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPERTIES INCLUDING MOWING, CONTROLLING INVASIVE SPECIES AND UPKEEP OF BUILDINGS. OTHER ACTIVITIES OF GREAT RIVERS HAVE INCLUDED TREE PLANTING, STREAM BUFFERS, TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT AND PRAIRIE PLANTINGS. GREAT RIVERS HAS PARTNERED WITH NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS AND ENTITIES.
  2. $26,807 spent. THE PIASA CREEK WATERSHED PROGRAM IS A UNIQUE, TWENTY-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GREAT RIVERS AND ILLINOIS-AMERICAN WATER COMPANY, WHICH HAS MET AND EXCEEDED ALL OF ITS GOALS. THE PROJECT WAS FEATURED AS A LEADING INNOVATIVE MODEL AT THE NATIONAL "WATER QUALITY TRADING FORUM" IN WASHINGTON D.C. THE EFFORT CONTINUES TO RECEIVE NATIONAL ATTENTION AS A WATERSHED MODEL. THE PIASA CREEK WATERSHED PROJECT REDUCES SEDIMENTATION IN THE 78,000 ACRE WATERSHED LOCATED IN PORTIONS OF JERSEY, MADISON, AND MACOUPIN COUNTIES IN ILINOIS. POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE STORMWATER CONTROL, REDUCTION OF FLASH FLOODING, ENHANCED FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS. THE PROJECT HAS MET AND EXCEEDED ALL OF ITS GOALS TO DATE. INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION OF THE PROJECT HAS BEEN EMBRACED ON A LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL SCALE. THE PIASA CREEK WATERSHED PROGRAM IS A UNIQUE, TWENTY-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GREAT RIVERS AND ILLINOIS-AMERICAN WATER COMPANY, WHICH HAS MET AND EXCEEDED ALL OF ITS GOALS. THE PROJECT WAS FEATURED AS A LEADING INNOVATIVE MODEL AT THE NATIONAL "WATER QUALITY TRADING FORUM" IN WASHINGTON D.C. THE EFFORT CONTINUES TO RECEIVE NATIONAL ATTENTION AS A WATERSHED MODEL. THE PIASA CREEK WATERSHED PROJECT REDUCES SEDIMENTATION IN THE 78,000 ACRE WATERSHED LOCATED IN PORTIONS OF JERSEY, MADISON, AND MACOUPIN COUNTIES IN ILINOIS. POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE STORMWATER CONTROL, REDUCTION OF FLASH FLOODING, ENHANCED FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND PROTECTION OF SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS. THE PROJECT HAS MET AND EXCEEDED ALL OF ITS GOALS TO DATE. INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION OF THE PROJECT HAS BEEN EMBRACED ON A LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL SCALE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1993.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.