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Superior Watershed Partnership

EIN 38-3492677 · Marquette, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SUPERIOR WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP WILL LEAD THE WAY IN WATERSHED PROECTION, RESTORATION, AND EDUCATION IN THE GREAT LAKES AND BEYOND.

Income
$7.1 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 72%
Employees
47
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$162,322, 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 (5)
  1. $2.4 million spent. MICHIGAN ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - PROVIDES PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR LOW- INCOME HOUSEHOLD HEATING AND ELECTRIC, AS WELL AS SELF-SUFFICIENCY EDUCATION ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND PROVIDES HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
  2. $1.1 million spent. NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OFFICE FOR COSTAL MANAGEMENT
  3. $779,015 spent. MI IMPACT FUNDING THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY (LEO) ALLOWS THE SWP TO EXPAND UTILITY CRISI SERVICES INTO ANOTHER CRITICALLY UNDERSERVED INCOME SEGMENT: ASSET LIMITED, INCOME CONTRAINED, AND EMPLOYED (ALICE) HOUSEHOLDS.
  4. $1.3 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE HABITIAT PROTECTION AND RESOTRATION, POLLUTION PREVENTION, CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTION PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION, INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL AND PREVENTION, LAND PROTECTION, NATIVE PLANT RESTORATION, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, WATER QUALITY, YOUTH PROGRAMS, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION.
  5. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE HABITIAT PROTECTION AND RESOTRATION, POLLUTION PREVENTION, CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTION PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION, INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL AND PREVENTION, LAND PROTECTION, NATIVE PLANT RESTORATION, STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, WATER QUALITY, YOUTH PROGRAMS, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION.

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 November 6, 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 2000.

    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 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.