Passes our checks

River Keepers

EIN 45-0417429 · Fargo, ND

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

What it says it does

Mission: We are dedicated to connecting our community safely to Red River of the North through education, stewardship, and engagement.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 21.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15
Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
15 of 15 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
0 of 7
Reports no 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.
Pay set independently
0 of 5
Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$182,993 spent. We engage the community in opportunities to learn about the Red River, helps sustain it, and safely enjoy it. Our work is broad in scope as it includes many river and watershed related activities. Such as: 1. Engaging the community in guided hikes, paddling excursions, and snowshoe outings. 2. Providing educational activities at community events, 3. Providing canoe and kayak rentals, 4. Coordinating events such as the Red River Water Festival, Reforest the Red, Race the Red Canoe and Kayak Races, Lil Anglers Clinic and Derby, Story Strolls, and a Winter Solstice Walk. 5. Leading resilient yard workshops, such as, Make Your Own Rain Barrel and Make Your Own Compost Tumbler, 6. Recruiting volunteers to pick up trash in and along the Red River, mark storm drains with Drains to River stickers, create Tshirt totes, 7. and working with local governments on river access and safety.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1990.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.