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Potomac Riverkeeper Inc

EIN 54-1982624 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To stop pollution and to restore clean water in the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers and their tributaries through enforcement and community engagement.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
14
Volunteers
700
Highest pay
$237,211, president

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 66% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% 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

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 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 (4)
  1. $1.4 million spent. Watershed Protection - We identify sources of pollution and analyze how to stop them. We regularly patrol the rivers we work to protect. We respond to tips and complaints. We review public records - like discharge monitoring reports and inspection reports to assess whether violations have occurred. We collect evidence water quality samples, photographs, videos, victim interviews- and build the case we need to stop the pollution and enforce the law. And we organize - we listen to communities along the river and work with them to stop the problems about which they care the most. We build grassroots support for clean water through stewardship, including our on-the-water paddle series: Riverpalooza.
  2. $252,980 spent. Shenandoah: We upgraded our monitoring equipment for toxic algal outbreaks so we dont have to rely on the state to determine when and where they occur. We filed multiple algae complaints with the Commonwealth to encourage the state to monitor for algal outbreaks. We organized a cleanup with 16 partner organizations of 62 sites on Earth Day, removing 60 tires and 200 bags of trash from the Shenandoah River System. We renewed our internship program with four universities: Shenandoah University, Howard University Law School, Trinity University, and Hood College. We also expanded partnerships with community groups led by people of color for stopping pollution, reducing public health risks to communities, and increasing recreational access programs.
  3. $111,913 spent. Upper Potomac: We expanded our investigation and awareness campaign for PFAS (forever chemicals), including partnering with USGs on testing PFAS levels in fish tissue and blood and partnering with faculty at Frostburg State. We expanded our community science water quality monitoring program in partnership with Hood College to test for conventional pollutants and also acid mine drainage.
  4. $41,227 spent. Lower Potomac: We pursued our Trash-free Potomac Campaign with volunteer trash cleanups in Alexandria, National Harbor, and Oxon Run and participated in efforts to pass legislation to reduce the sources of plastic pollution. We expanded our community science water quality monitoring on the Potomac River in DC, Maryland and Virginia. We expanded our 50 Million Mussels Campaign at National Harbor. We worked with Congresswoman Norton to fund a study by The Army Corps of Engineers to assess where swimming can safely occur in the rivers in DC. We brought litigation against the city of Alexandria for unpermitted discharges of coal tar and creosote into the river and litigation against the navy for more than 100 years of unpermitted discharges of munitions into the Potomac River, including the critical habitat of the endangered atlantic sturgeon. We worked with Maryland legislators to increase funding for inspection and enforcement personnel to protect Marylands waterways.

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 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 May 2000.

    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 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.