Riverlink Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
RiverLink promotes the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed for all.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 47.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 71%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 390
- Highest pay
- $87,443, executive director
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: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 47.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $845,625 spent. Land Conservation: In 2024, our region was significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene. Despite the devastation from the storm, our Land Program completed the annual monitoring of our 24 conservation easements and our 9 fee-simple properties, assessing damage and changes post-Helene. All of our protected properties fared very well in the storm aside from one property we own along the Swannanoa River in East Asheville which experienced significant loss of vegetation. The three fee-simple properties we manage as public parks (or future public parks) handled the flooding extremely well and sustained little to no damage. Karen Cragnolin Park was repaired and back online in a matter of weeks following the storm, future Gateway Park was successfully cleared of debris, and Pearson Park sustained no damage. In addition, we have continued to improve our volunteer program by refining our Public Volunteer Events and creating Sponsored Volunteer Events. These sponsored events cater to larger groups looking for meaningful, team-building activities that give back to the community.
- Water Quality: In 2024, we completed a high-profile public service campaign titled Reduce Rain Runoff, aimed at raising awareness about the harmful impacts of stormwater runoff on our regions waterways. The campaign was featured across a wide range of platforms, including regional newspapers and magazines, online news outlets, social media, podcasts, and blogs. In total, it garnered over 61 million views and was highlighted in 53 unique media pieces. Our Reduce Roof Runoff project provided Buncombe County residents with tools to manage stormwater runoff on their properties. The project prioritized low-income residents living near impaired streams. Despite delays caused by Tropical Storm Helene, we successfully distributed 133 rain barrels and installed two rain gardens. These installations help capture roof runoff, allowing water to soak into the ground and be naturally filtered on-site.
- Education: In 2024 our education programs continued to provide free and accessible opportunities for students throughout WNC to connect with their environment. Our in-school programming brought aquatic ecology lessons to 33 different schools, engaging a total of 3,455 students. We also ran 5 weeks of summer camp where we explored the watershed with 60 campers, 20% of which were provided with a full scholarship. . After expanding into the afterschool realm in 2023, these programs continued to grow during 2024. In total, we worked with 28 out-of-school organizational partners to provide a mix of long term repeated programs and shorter one-off partnerships for those who couldnt commit to multiple weeks of activities. We connected with 1,233 students through our out-of-school programs during the school year and over the summer.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1990.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.