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Friends of the Cheat Inc

EIN 55-0739158 · Kingwood, WV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO RESTORE, PRESERVE AND PROMOTE THE OUTSTANDING NATURAL QUALITIES OF THE CHEAT RIVER WATERSHED.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 84%
Employees
7
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$62,823, executive di

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 45% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $1.4 million spent. CHEAT WATERSHED RESTORATION - RESTORATION OF STREAMS CONTAMINATED BY ACID MINE DRAINAGE POLLUTION IS THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY FOCUS. IN 2013, FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT EXPANDED ITS SCOPE TO INCLUDE DIRECTLY MONITORING AND MAINTAINING ACID MINE DRAINAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS AT BOND FORFEITURE SITES. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO REMEDIATE POLLUTION FROM ABANDONED MINE LANDS. THIS WORK INCLUDES STREAM MONITORING AND POLLUTION PRIORITIZATION, CONTRACT PROCUREMENT FOR ENGINEER PLANS OF TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND CONSTRUCTION OF SYSTEMS, PERMITTING, CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION AND POST-CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM AND STREAM MONITORING.ENGINEERING PLANS FOR SEVERAL PROJECTS WERE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE UPPER MUDDY CREEK AND THE SOVERN TICHNELL SITE. PROGRESS WAS ALSO MADE ON NON-CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS INCLUDING WATERSHED BASED PLANNING AND TREATMENT SYSTEM EVALUATION PROJECTS. CHEAT WATERSHED RESTORATION - RESTORATION OF STREAMS CONTAMINATED BY ACID MINE DRAINAGE POLLUTION IS THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY FOCUS. IN 2013, FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT EXPANDED ITS SCOPE TO INCLUDE DIRECTLY MONITORING AND MAINTAINING ACID MINE DRAINAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS AT BOND FORFEITURE SITES. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO REMEDIATE POLLUTION FROM ABANDONED MINE LANDS. THIS WORK INCLUDES STREAM MONITORING AND POLLUTION PRIORITIZATION, CONTRACT PROCUREMENT FOR ENGINEER PLANS OF TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND CONSTRUCTION OF SYSTEMS, PERMITTING, CONSTRUCTION OBSERVATION AND POST-CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM AND STREAM MONITORING.ENGINEERING PLANS FOR SEVERAL PROJECTS WERE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE UPPER MUDDY CREEK AND THE SOVERN TICHNELL SITE. PROGRESS WAS ALSO MADE ON NON-CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS INCLUDING WATERSHED BASED PLANNING AND TREATMENT SYSTEM EVALUATION PROJECTS.
  2. $444,493 spent. RECREATION AND RIVER ACCESS - FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT MAINTAINS MANY WHITEWATER RIVER ACCESSES AND WORKS TO IMPLEMENT NON-MOTORIZED RAIL TRAILS IN PRESTON COUNTY. FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT ASSESSED WATER TRAIL ACCESS SITE NEEDS, EXECUTED SMALL IMPROVEMENTS AT SEVERAL SITES AND DEVELOPED INMFORMATIONAL MATERIALS.
  3. $42,351 spent. FRIENDS OF THE CHEAT'S, INC. EDUCATION PROGRAM WORK INCLUDES REGULAR PRINT AND ONLINE PUBLICATIONS INCLUDING THE INTO THE CANYON NEWSLETTER AND STATE OF THE WATERSHED REPORT, AS WELL AS SPECIAL MATERIAL AND CURRICULA. EDUCATIONAL EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS ENGAGE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES IN OUTDOOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES, SUCH AS SNOKELING AND STREAM ASSESSMENTS, TO FOSTER ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND AN APPREICATION FOR THE CHEAT RIVER WATERSHED.

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 December 1995.

    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.