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Tri-State Watershed Alliance Inc

EIN 46-1707299 · Fort Wayne, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To sustain healthy watersheds that support thriving communities and strong economies, demonstrated by improved water quality throughout the Maumee Watershed, through education, coordination, collaboration, and partnerships.

Income
$782,794
Spending
$738,307
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
0
Volunteers
12

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 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 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 109% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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.

  • 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, 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 (1)
  1. $737,129 spent. MWA Hosted the Following Events: On March 14, 2024, the Going Green for Ag workshop was hosted with 70 people in attendance. Event partners included ADM:regenerations, Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District, Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, and Purdue University Extension. Key speakers were: 1.Barry Fisher, President of Fisher Soil Health LLC, spoke on maximizing cover crop success. 2.Rodney Rulon, Rulon Enterprises, discussed the economics of a systems approach. On April 20, 2024, a Hoosier Riverwatch Basic Training workshop was hosted in collaboration with Jackie Buck of the St. Joe River Watershed Initiative. The in-stream training section of the workshop had to be postponed due to high water. On May 20, 2024, the in-stream training section of the April 20th Hoosier Riverwatch Basic Training workshop was held. From June 18-22, 2024, MWA participated in educating Allen County residents in sewer system management and soil health at the Allen County Fair in partnership with the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District. The Allen County SWCD had their education trailer at the fair for the entire week. On June 24, 2024, a Hoosier Riverwatch in-stream training was held for volunteers with the Little River Wetlands Project (LRWP). MWA hosted the training with LRWP so that their volunteers understood how to monitor water quality in streams flowing through LRWP properties. On August 7, 2024, MWA hosted the Day at the Lake tour in partnership with Allen County SWCD. 33 attendees were chartered to Put-In-Bay, OH on Lake Erie where they participated in a hands-on Science Cruise courtesy of The Ohio State Universitys Stone Laboratory, listened to a presentation on harmful algal blooms by Dr. Brian Alford, and enjoyed an informative tour of South Bass Island. On September 24, 2024, MWA co-hosted a Womens Learning Circle with the St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative. Ten attendees met at the ACRES Land Trust Office along the Cedar Creek in Huntertown, IN. The focus of the workshop was native plants and their impact on riparian habitat and water quality.

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 June 2014.

    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.