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US National Whitewater Center Inc

EIN 56-2247955 · Charlotte, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WHITEWATER IS AN OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE BRAND CENTERED ON THE PROMOTION, PROTECTION, AND MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES SUPPORTING ACCESS TO RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES. WHITEWATER'S MISSION IS TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO THIS LIFESTYLE BY LOWERING BARRIERS AND INSPIRING PEOPLE TO ENGAGE. THIS MISSION IS ROOTED IN THE BELIEF THAT ALL HUMAN BEINGS SHARE A GENETIC CODE THAT COMPELS US TO PLAY OUTSIDE. WHITEWATER PROVIDES ACCESSIBILITY TO A VARIETY OF THE BEST RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, INCLUDING WHITEWATER AND FLATWATER PADDLING, CLIMBING, RUNNING, CYCLING, HIKING, FISHING, AND MORE.

Income
$31.0 million
Spending
$26.5 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
21.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
1,126
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$435,247, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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 October 31, 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 (1)
  1. $25.1 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OTHE USNWC HOSTED APPROXIMATELY 1,400,000 INDIVIDUALS DURING FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 TO ENGAGE IN AN ACTIVE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. THESE INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN OVER 20 ACTIVITIES OFFERED ON THE 1,300 ACRES OF WOODLANDS PROTECTED ALONG THE CATAWBA RIVER. THE CAMPUS OFFERED OVER 50 MILES OF TRAILS AND HOSTED 8 FESTIVALS, 65 MUSIC EVENTS, AND 260 YOGA SESSIONS AT NO COST TO THE PUBLIC. IN ADDITION 38 RACE EVENTS WERE HELD. USWNC GUESTS INCLUDED GROUPS (E.G. CLUBS, SCOUTS, CHURCHES, MILITARY, SCHOOLS) AND INDIVIDUALS (E.G. FAMILIES, FRIENDS) THAT ENGAGED IN NUMEROUS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND TEAM-BUILDING EXCERCISES. THE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES OFFERED INCLUDED WHITEWATER RAFTING, KAYAKING, PADDLEBOARDING, CLIMBING, ZIPLINES, ADVENTURE COURSES, MOUNTAIN BIKING, ICE SKATING, WHITEWATER KAYAKING, TEAM-BUILDING, CANOPY TOURS AND YOUTH CAMPS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CENTER PROVIDED SWIFTWATER RESCUE TRAINING FOR NUMEROUS FIRST RESPONDER AGENCIES FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 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 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 October 2025.

    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 August 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 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.