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Gathering Waters Inc

EIN 39-1805090 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GATHERING WATERS (WISCONSIN'S ALLIANCE FOR LAND TRUSTS) STRENGTHENS LAND TRUSTS TO PROTECT WISCONSIN'S SPECIAL PLACES AND GROW HEALTHY, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES. THE STRONGER THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN GATHERING WATERS' STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS, LAND TRUST LEADERS, AND THE BROADER CONSERVATION COMMUNITY, THE MORE SUCCESSFUL WE ARE IN PROTECTING THE LANDS THAT PROVIDE SO MUCH VALUE TO ALL OF US.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
12
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$126,369, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

    12 of 12 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 (4)
  1. $328,386 spent. POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS: WORK WITH DECISION MAKERS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL POLICIES THAT SUPPORT THE WORK OF LAND TRUSTS AND THE CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE LAND. SPECIFICALLY, GATHERING WATERS ADVOCATES FOR CONTINUATION OF FUNDING FOR THE KNOWLES NELSON STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM, A PROGRAM OF PUBLIC FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF LAND IN WISCONSIN. IN 2024, GATHERING WATERS CONTINUED ITS EFFORTS TO CONNECT ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH THEIR LOCAL CONSTITUENTS AND WORKED WITH LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR TO IMPROVE HOW THE KNOWLES-NELSON STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM FUNCTIONS AND IS ADMINISTERED AND ADVOCATED AGAINST LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE WEAKENED PROTECTIONS FOR PROTECTED LAND IN WISCONSIN. ALSO IN 2024, GATHERING WATERS ADVOCATED FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE 70,000-ACRE PELICAN RIVER FOREST, THE LARGEST CONSERVATION PROJECT IN MODERN WISCONSIN HISTORY.
  2. $320,330 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PROFESSIONALS, AND LANDOWNERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIVATE LAND CONSERVATION AND VOLUNTARY TOOLS AVAILABLE TO SET ASIDE PRIVATE LAND FOR CONSERVATION. GATHERING WATERS MAINTAINS AN INTERACTIVE WEBSITE AND PUBLISHES PAPER AND ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. DURING 2024, GATHERING WATERS BEGAN PREPARING FOR ITS BIANNUAL STATEWIDE CONFERENCE FOR LAND TRUSTS AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS TO BE HELD IN MARCH 2025, WITH EXPECTED ATTENDANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 115 PARTICIPANTS; HELD "LAND TRUST DAYS", TO PROMOTE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEARLY 2,000 PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED BY WISCONSIN'S LAND TRUSTS ON LAND THAT THEY HAVE PROTECTED; AND HELD VARIOUS AWARD EVENTS HONORING SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY LEADERS IN LAND CONSERVATION.
  3. $236,612 spent. TECHNICAL TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE: INCREASED THE CAPACITY OF MORE THAN FORTY WISCONSIN LAND TRUSTS AND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PEER LEARNING, AND WORKSHOPS. GATHERING WATERS WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE, A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LAND TRUSTS, TO OFFER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO WISCONSIN LAND TRUSTS. DURING 2024, GATHERING WATERS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES DIRECTLY TO WISCONSIN LAND TRUSTS THROUGH THE LAND CONSERVATION LAW PROGRAM.
  4. $29,290 spent. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION IN WISCONSIN, THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH LAND TRUSTS AND OTHER CONSERVATION LEADERS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING ACTIVITIES.

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 January 1995.

    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.