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St Louis River Alliance

EIN 41-1837754 · Duluth, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Promoting stewardship, providing education outreach and communication on the St Louis River Estuary Area of Concern Project

Income
$405,758
Spending
$328,684
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
8
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$70,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 78% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (8)
  1. $105,456 spent. City of Duluth NWT - In 2024 SLRA hired a full time National Water Trail Coordinator. 2 part time neighborhood leaders were also hired in the fall of 2024. The group attended and tabled at Harvest Festival, Earth Rider Fest, and one Harrison Park Farmers Market. The reach was about 300 people. The annual paddling trip leaving from Munger landing was held. About 50 people attended. The Coordinator and the neighborhood leaders were trained and the group made a strategic plan to do community engagement focused on the river neighborhoods. The five year action plan is being studied and used to plan steps for the duration of the grant. 2 National Water Trail advisory council meetings were organized and facilitated by the NWT coordinator. Steps were taken to plan the printing of the 2025 edition of the National Water Trail map
  2. $46,639 spent. WDNR Wild Rice - Plan and Organize two events to gather volunteers to plant wild rice. Send press release, advertise using social media, plan and pay two separate speakers for a program describing the importance of wild rice to the river and to the Indigenous people here. Secure and purchase wild rice seed from a contractor.
  3. $32,204 spent. WDNR-MLT Engagement - Community engagement: meet and conduct interviews with Superior, WI leaders, organizations to make connection to, conduct surveys using mailings and outreach events to find out what Allouez Bay residents love about the Bay, and what they envision for the future, and what they would like to do on the river. Analyze information and create an engagement plan along with partners for 2nd year contract.
  4. $29,446 spent. MPCA -222. a.Coordinate with the SLRAOC Coordinators. b.Sustain public awareness about the SLRAOC with social media posts at least one per month. c.Prepare for and facilitate the annual SLRAOC Celebration of Progress event. d.Plan for activities in neighborhoods that meet environmental justice criteria. e.Develop interview questions, identify 10 community organizations, & conduct interviews. f.Planned 6 neighborhood input events.
  5. $15,183 spent. MN LT Headwater Partner
  6. $14,060 spent. EPA City of Duluth
  7. $8,428 spent. MN Coastal
  8. $7,047 spent. National Water Trail - Implement Master Plan and Create Maps

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 June 1996.

    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.