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Friends of the Verde River

EIN 45-2927355 · Cottonwood, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY FOR A HEALTHY FLOWING VERDE RIVER SYSTEM.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
13
Volunteers
282
Highest pay
$104,000, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $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

    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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $1.0 million spent. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES SUSTAINING FLOWS. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER ADVANCED WATER CONSERVATION AND REUSE INITIATIVES TO SUSTAIN RIVER FLOWS ACROSS THE VERDE VALLEY. IN FY25, THE ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED WASTEWATER REUSE PLANNING PROJECTS WITH LOCAL LANDOWNERS, INCLUDING A MAJOR COLLABORATION WITH PAGE SPRINGS VINEYARDS THAT IS PROJECTED TO SAVE 1 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER PER YEAR. THROUGH THE RIVER FRIENDLY LIVING PROGRAM, FRIENDS AWARDED 45 SMALL GRANTS TO HOMEOWNERS, BUSINESSES, AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, SUPPORTING PROJECTS SUCH AS IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY UPGRADES, RAINWATER HARVESTING, AND FIXTURE REPLACEMENTSTOGETHER ESTIMATED TO SAVE APPROXIMATELY 81 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER ANNUALLY. THE NEW VERDE WATERSHED FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH PROJECT ENGAGED STUDENTS AS SCIENTISTS, COLLECTING AND ANALYZING DATA ON LOCAL RIVER HEALTH AND BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION LEADERS.THIS PROGRAM HAD EXPENSES OF 909,828 AND GRANTS PAID TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF 95,600 DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES SUSTAINING FLOWS. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER ADVANCED WATER CONSERVATION AND REUSE INITIATIVES TO SUSTAIN RIVER FLOWS ACROSS THE VERDE VALLEY. IN FY25, THE ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED WASTEWATER REUSE PLANNING PROJECTS WITH LOCAL LANDOWNERS, INCLUDING A MAJOR COLLABORATION WITH PAGE SPRINGS VINEYARDS THAT IS PROJECTED TO SAVE 1 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER PER YEAR. THROUGH THE RIVER FRIENDLY LIVING PROGRAM, FRIENDS AWARDED 45 SMALL GRANTS TO HOMEOWNERS, BUSINESSES, AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, SUPPORTING PROJECTS SUCH AS IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY UPGRADES, RAINWATER HARVESTING, AND FIXTURE REPLACEMENTSTOGETHER ESTIMATED TO SAVE APPROXIMATELY 81 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER ANNUALLY. THE NEW VERDE WATERSHED FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH PROJECT ENGAGED STUDENTS AS SCIENTISTS, COLLECTING AND ANALYZING DATA ON LOCAL RIVER HEALTH AND BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION LEADERS.THIS PROGRAM HAD EXPENSES OF 909,828 AND GRANTS PAID TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF 95,600 DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.
  2. $367,983 spent. ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER AND ITS VERDE WATERSHED RESTORATION COALITION PARTNERS ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT RESTORATION MILESTONES IN FY25, INCLUDING THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE PLANTS ALONG NEARLY 17 MILES OF FOSSIL CREEK,A FEDERALLY DESIGNATED WILD AND SCENIC RIVER. FVR FUNDED CREWS FROM ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS, VERDE EARTH TECHNOLOGIES, AND WILD AZ ALSO REMOVED GIANT REED, TAMARISK, AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES THROUGHOUT THE VERDE RIVER GREENWAY AND WILD AND SCENIC SECTIONS OF THE LOWER VERDE. IN UPLAND AREAS, FRIENDS IMPLEMENTED LOW-TECH PROCESS-BASED RESTORATION PROJECTS IN STRINGTOWN WASH AND PINE CREEK TO SLOW WATER FLOW, IMPROVE GROUNDWATER RECHARGE, AND RESTORE NATURAL CHANNEL PROCESSES. THESE EFFORTS STRENGTHENED HABITAT, REDUCED WILDFIRE RISK, AND ENHANCED ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER ALSO RECEIVED TWO ARIZONA FORWARD AWARDS FOR ITS RESTORATION WORK AT FOSSIL CREEK.THIS PROGRAM HAD EXPENSES OF 356,983 AND GRANTS PAID TO INDIVIDUALS OF 11,000 DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER AND ITS VERDE WATERSHED RESTORATION COALITION PARTNERS ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT RESTORATION MILESTONES IN FY25, INCLUDING THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE PLANTS ALONG NEARLY 17 MILES OF FOSSIL CREEK,A FEDERALLY DESIGNATED WILD AND SCENIC RIVER. FVR FUNDED CREWS FROM ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS, VERDE EARTH TECHNOLOGIES, AND WILD AZ ALSO REMOVED GIANT REED, TAMARISK, AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES THROUGHOUT THE VERDE RIVER GREENWAY AND WILD AND SCENIC SECTIONS OF THE LOWER VERDE. IN UPLAND AREAS, FRIENDS IMPLEMENTED LOW-TECH PROCESS-BASED RESTORATION PROJECTS IN STRINGTOWN WASH AND PINE CREEK TO SLOW WATER FLOW, IMPROVE GROUNDWATER RECHARGE, AND RESTORE NATURAL CHANNEL PROCESSES. THESE EFFORTS STRENGTHENED HABITAT, REDUCED WILDFIRE RISK, AND ENHANCED ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER ALSO RECEIVED TWO ARIZONA FORWARD AWARDS FOR ITS RESTORATION WORK AT FOSSIL CREEK.THIS PROGRAM HAD EXPENSES OF 356,983 AND GRANTS PAID TO INDIVIDUALS OF 11,000 DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.
  3. $228,450 spent. NATURE PARKS AND OTHER SIMILAR PROMOTING COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP. COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONTINUED TO EXPAND IN FY25. THE VERDE WATER WATCHERS MONITORED 26 SITES, COLLECTING 263 WATER SAMPLES AND CONTRIBUTING 257 VOLUNTEER HOURS TO IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO WATER QUALITY ISSUES. THE FIFTH ANNUAL VERDE BIOBLITZ ENGAGED 502 STUDENTS FROM 18 CLASSES ACROSS EIGHT SCHOOLS, GENERATING 6,820 OBSERVATIONS OF LOCAL BIODIVERSITY. THE 25TH VERDE VALLEY BIRDING & NATURE FESTIVAL CELEBRATED A QUARTER-CENTURY OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WITH RECORD ATTENDANCE, EXPANDED VENDORS, AND ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. FRIENDS HOSTED ECOFLIGHTS TO PROVIDE PARTNERS AND DONORS WITH AERIAL VIEWS OF RESTORATION WORK, AND THE FIESTA DE LA GARZA AND RIVER CHAMPIONS EVENTS HONORED OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND VOLUNTEERS. TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS CONNECTED PEOPLE, SCIENCE, AND STEWARDSHIP TO PROTECT A HEALTHY, FLOWING VERDE RIVER FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.THIS PROGRAM HAD EXPENSES OF 225,450 AND GRANTS PAID TO INDIVIDUALS OF 3,000 DURING THE FISCAL YEAR. NATURE PARKS AND OTHER SIMILAR PROMOTING COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP. COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONTINUED TO EXPAND IN FY25. THE VERDE WATER WATCHERS MONITORED 26 SITES, COLLECTING 263 WATER SAMPLES AND CONTRIBUTING 257 VOLUNTEER HOURS TO IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO WATER QUALITY ISSUES. THE FIFTH ANNUAL VERDE BIOBLITZ ENGAGED 502 STUDENTS FROM 18 CLASSES ACROSS EIGHT SCHOOLS, GENERATING 6,820 OBSERVATIONS OF LOCAL BIODIVERSITY. THE 25TH VERDE VALLEY BIRDING & NATURE FESTIVAL CELEBRATED A QUARTER-CENTURY OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WITH RECORD ATTENDANCE, EXPANDED VENDORS, AND ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. FRIENDS HOSTED ECOFLIGHTS TO PROVIDE PARTNERS AND DONORS WITH AERIAL VIEWS OF RESTORATION WORK, AND THE FIESTA DE LA GARZA AND RIVER CHAMPIONS EVENTS HONORED OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND VOLUNTEERS. TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS CONNECTED PEOPLE, SCIENCE, AND STEWARDSHIP TO PROTECT A HEALTHY, FLOWING VERDE RIVER FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.THIS PROGRAM HAD EXPENSES OF 225,450 AND GRANTS PAID TO INDIVIDUALS OF 3,000 DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 September 2012.

    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.