Bitterroot Water Partnership
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
BWP leads reliable and intentional conservation initiatives that promote and provide clean, ample water for people and habitats by working with key partners and our communities
- Income
- $456,629
- Spending
- $470,490
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 80
- Highest pay
- $84,000, 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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 37% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $119,150 spent. Conservation Engagement: In 2024 inspired deeper community involvement and environmental stewardship across the Bitterroopt Valley. Highlights include the Darby Gardens Project-a living outdoor classroom where students were introduced to native plants, pollinators and sustainable gardening, learning how healthy landscapes protect watershed health. Also led the annual Bitterroot River Cleanup, mobilizing hundreds of volunteers to remove debris from local waterways and and raising public awareness about river health. Outreach efforts on drought-tolerant, native, and pollinator- friendly landscaping expanded through Water Wise Plant Packs and educational tools, empowering residents to conserve water and boost native biodiversity in their own yards
- $207,341 spent. Watershed Restoration: Continued implementing and maintaining targeted restoration projects that protect the lifeblood of the Bitterroot Valley: our rivers and streams. These projects tackled tough challenges like reducing sedimentation, lowering water temperatures, and rebuilding resilient riparian zones-work thats essential for keeping our waterways healthy in the face of draught and other climate pressures. Stream Restoration included 1,900 willows planted, 600 feet of streambank restored, 200 pounds of sediment pollution reduced annually, one native fish passageway restored, 2 miles of streamside road repaired and 310 pounds of non-native invasive weeds removed. These efforts resulted in stronger habitat for native fish, greater climate resiliance for our valley, and cleaner, healthier water for people and wildlife alike.
- $67,432 spent. Project and Program Development: Strengthened strategic partnerships and secured new grant funding to expand conservation initiatives focused on water quality, and ecological resilience. This work includes laying the foundation for decades of restoration success. Careful planning, science-based prioritization and close collaboration with partners and landowners are ensuring that every project delivers lasting benefits for the watershed. This initiative will produce a Prioritized Restoration Action Plan, slated for completion in 2027, which will serve as a long-term roadmap for restortaion work across the Bitterroot Valley. The plan will guide where and how resources are invested, ensuring that each action-whether improving stream flows, enhancing fish habitat,or stabilizing eroding banks-yields the greatest possible benefit for water wildlife, and the community.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.