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Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance Inc

EIN 39-1701585 · Appleton, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT IDENTIFIES ISSUES AND ADVOCATES EFFECTIVE POLICIES AND ACTIONS THAT PROTECT, RESTORE, AND SUSTAIN THE WATER RESOURCES OF THE FOX-WOLF RIVER BASIN.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
12
Volunteers
1,700

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 63% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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. $559,445 spent. RESTORATION - FOX-WOLF IDENTIFIES RESOURCE CONCERNS AND FINDS SOLUTIONS, PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR TECHNICAL STAFF AND FUNDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PRACTICES ON THE LAND THAT REDUCE SEDIMENT AND NUTRIENT POLLUTION FROM ENTERING OUR WATERWAYS.
  2. $408,173 spent. WATERSHED RECOVERY COORDINATION - FOX-WOLF BELIEVES IN WHOLISTIC WATERSHED AND WORKS ACROSS THE 21 COUNTY BASIN WITH A VARIETY OF PARTNERS, INCLUDING ELECTED OFFICIALS, PROPERTY OWNERS, BUSINESS & INDUSTRY, FARMERS, VOLUNTEERS AND CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS IN THE URBAN, RURAL AND AGRICULTURE LANDSCAPES TO PROMOTE COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY.
  3. $108,156 spent. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION - TO MEET OUR MISSION, FOX-WOLF CONNECTS WITH PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE. WE EXHIBIT AT LOCAL FESTIVALS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, PROVIDE PRESENTATIONS IN SCHOOLS AND TO COMMUNITY GROUPS AND HAVE ONE-ON- ONE MEETINGS WITH PROPERTY OWNERS. WE PROVIDE TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES TO EDUCATE THOSE THAT HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON OUR WATERWAYS.
  4. $450,471 spent. RESEARCH - FOX-WOLF RELIES ON SOUND SCIENCE TO ADVANCE ITS RESTORATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS. WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND AGENCIES TO GUIDE INVESTMENT IN LOCAL RESEARCH AND SUPPORT RESEARCH NEEDS WHEN NECESSARY.
  5. RESEARCH - FOX-WOLF RELIES ON SOUND SCIENCE TO ADVANCE ITS RESTORATION AND OUTREACH EFFORTS. WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES AND AGENCIES TO GUIDE INVESTMENT IN LOCAL RESEARCH AND SUPPORT RESEARCH NEEDS WHEN NECESSARY.

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 2025.

    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 July 1996.

    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.