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Friends of Blackwater Inc

EIN 55-0778211 · Thomas, WV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$689,806
Spending
$436,737
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
7
Highest pay
$30,400, 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

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 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 60% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    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

    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 (5)
  1. $9,863 spent. HIGHWAYS: OBTAINED AN EXPERT ENGINEERING REPORT ANALYZING THE FAVORED WV DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (WVDOT) ROUTE FOR CORRIDOR H FROM PARSONS TO DAVIS. FUNDS WERE ALSO UTILILIZED ON LEGAL CONSULTATION FOR THE PROJECT AND TO BUILD A GRASSROOTS COALITION TO ANAYLZE THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THE WVDOT FAVORED CORRIDOR H ROUTE SOUTH AND ADVOCATING FOR AN ALTERNATE ROUTE.
  2. $65,322 spent. PUBLIC LANDS: FOB IS WRITING A GUIDEBOOK WITH MAPS AND TOURS OF THE PUBLIC LANDS IN THE BLACKWATER WATERSHED. ADDITIONALLY, FOB IS IMPROVING THE RAIL TRAIL FROM THOMAS TO DOUGLAS FALLS BY REMOVING INVASIVE SPECIES OF PLANTS WHICJ WILL LEAD TO ECO TOURS OF THE AREA. THE TRAIL IS MAINTAINED SO THAT IT CAN BE OPEN TO HIKERS AND BIKERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PARTNERS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVOCATE AGAINST THE CUTTING OF OLDER GROWTH TREES WHICH DIMINISHES THE FOREST CARBON SINK WHICH IS A HEDGE AGAINST THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
  3. $118,830 spent. BLACKWATER/NORTHFORK WATERSHED: THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED MULTIPLE GRANTS FROM THE WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO PLAN A WATER TREATMENT PLANT ON THE NORTH FORK OF THE BLACKWATER NEXT TO THE RAIL TRAIL AND ONE AT BEAVER CREEK. THE PROJECT CONSULTANT, BIO MOST, ANALYZED THE LEVEL OF ACID MINE DRAIN POLLUTION, THE SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION AND THE FLOW OR VOLUME OF WATER FROM KEY SITES AND DESIGNED THE PIPING TO THE PLANT. IN ADDITION BIO MOST ENGINEERED THE PROCESSING AND THE REMOVAL OF THE WASTE PRODUCT FROM THE TREATMENT SITE AND WORKED ON PERMITTING AND LAND OWNERS AGREEMENTS FOR BOTH SITES. WE HAVE ALSO CONTINUED TO MONITOR WATER MONTHLY ALONG THE NORTH FORK AND ALONG BEAVER CREEK OF THE BLACKWATER. ADDITIONALLY, NEW HISTORIC SIGNAGE WAS PLANNED FOR THE NORTH FORK BY WORKING WITH CONSULTANTS. BLACKWATER/NORTHFORK WATERSHED: THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED MULTIPLE GRANTS FROM THE WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO PLAN A WATER TREATMENT PLANT ON THE NORTH FORK OF THE BLACKWATER NEXT TO THE RAIL TRAIL AND ONE AT BEAVER CREEK. THE PROJECT CONSULTANT, BIO MOST, ANALYZED THE LEVEL OF ACID MINE DRAIN POLLUTION, THE SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION AND THE FLOW OR VOLUME OF WATER FROM KEY SITES AND DESIGNED THE PIPING TO THE PLANT. IN ADDITION BIO MOST ENGINEERED THE PROCESSING AND THE REMOVAL OF THE WASTE PRODUCT FROM THE TREATMENT SITE AND WORKED ON PERMITTING AND LAND OWNERS AGREEMENTS FOR BOTH SITES. WE HAVE ALSO CONTINUED TO MONITOR WATER MONTHLY ALONG THE NORTH FORK AND ALONG BEAVER CREEK OF THE BLACKWATER. ADDITIONALLY, NEW HISTORIC SIGNAGE WAS PLANNED FOR THE NORTH FORK BY WORKING WITH CONSULTANTS.
  4. $165,334 spent. RIVER TRAIL PROJECTS: THE ORGANIZATION IS PLANNING AND DESIGNING THE WV RAILROAD HERITAGE TRAIL FROM THOMAS, WV TO CUMBERLAND, MD. ALSO, A CONSULTANT IS PLANNING AND DESIGNING AN 8.5 MILE THE BLACKWATER RIVER LOOP TRAIL. THE TRAIL FOLLOWS THE MON NATIONAL FOREST'S HISTORIC RAIL TRAIL AND JOINS TRAILS IN BLACKWATER FALLS STATE PARK AT DOUGLAS FALLS. THE TRAIL WILL CONNECT TO THE STATE PARK WITH A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER THE NORTH FORK OF THE BLACKWATER. HISTORY:THE ORGANIZATION RESEARCHES, WRITES AND PRODUCES PUBLIC MEETINGS AND A DRAMATIC READING OF COAL MINERS IN TUCKER COUNTY. THE SCRIPT WAS TAKEN FROM RECORDINGS MADE IN THE 1970'S. THE VENT WAS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT BLACKWATER FALLS STATE PARK. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION CREATED A TRAVELING EXHIBIT OF THEIR HISTORIC SIGNAGE TAKEN FROM THE THOMAS RAIL TRAIL, DOWNTOWN DAVIS, DAVIS CITY PARK AND BLACKWATER FALLS STATE PARK AND IS STUDYING AND DOCUMENTING HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN SITES IN THE WEST VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS.
  5. RIVER TRAIL PROJECTS: THE ORGANIZATION IS PLANNING AND DESIGNING THE WV RAILROAD HERITAGE TRAIL FROM THOMAS, WV TO CUMBERLAND, MD. ALSO, A CONSULTANT IS PLANNING AND DESIGNING AN 8.5 MILE THE BLACKWATER RIVER LOOP TRAIL. THE TRAIL FOLLOWS THE MON NATIONAL FOREST'S HISTORIC RAIL TRAIL AND JOINS TRAILS IN BLACKWATER FALLS STATE PARK AT DOUGLAS FALLS. THE TRAIL WILL CONNECT TO THE STATE PARK WITH A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE OVER THE NORTH FORK OF THE BLACKWATER. HISTORY:THE ORGANIZATION RESEARCHES, WRITES AND PRODUCES PUBLIC MEETINGS AND A DRAMATIC READING OF COAL MINERS IN TUCKER COUNTY. THE SCRIPT WAS TAKEN FROM RECORDINGS MADE IN THE 1970'S. THE VENT WAS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT BLACKWATER FALLS STATE PARK. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION CREATED A TRAVELING EXHIBIT OF THEIR HISTORIC SIGNAGE TAKEN FROM THE THOMAS RAIL TRAIL, DOWNTOWN DAVIS, DAVIS CITY PARK AND BLACKWATER FALLS STATE PARK AND IS STUDYING AND DOCUMENTING HISTORIC AFRICAN AMERICAN SITES IN THE WEST VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS.

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 October 13, 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 March 2001.

    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 October 21, 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.