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Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Inc

EIN 58-2095413 · Smyrna, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O - 01. GENERAL EXPLANATION ATTACHMENT

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
21.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
19
Volunteers
2,340
Highest pay
$130,000, 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. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 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

    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. $1.1 million spent. IN 2024, THE LARGEST PROGRAM AREA WAS WATER MONITORING, WHICH ENCOMPASSES OUR URBAN STREAM MONITORING AS WELL AS RIVER AND LAKE WATER QUALITY TESTING. THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATER WATCH PROGRAM WE COLLECTED AND TESTED 6,763 WATER SAMPLES. WE FOUND AND STOPPED 20 SEWER SPILLS. WE ALSO COLLECTED AND PROCESSED 144 RIVER SAMPLES FOR BACTERIA POLLUTION IN THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NATIONAL RECREATION AREA. CRK ALSO MONITORS COMPLIANCE WITH STORMWATER RULES AT VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES. IN 2024.
  2. $936,937 spent. IN 2024, THE SECOND LARGEST PROGRAM AREA WAS COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDES OUR TRASH CLEANUPS AND 14 IN-STREAM TRAXH TRAPS. WE MOBILIZED 2,123 VOLUNTEERS TO REMOVE 54 TONS OF TRASH AND RECYCLABLES FROM THE WATERSHED, AND RECYCLED AN ADDITIONAL 3,644 LBS. ADDITIONALLY, WE LOGGED 186 YOUTH VOLUTEERS IN THE WATER WARRIORS PROGRAMS. WE ALSO EDUCATED 9,165 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ONBOARD OUR FLOATING CLASSROOMS PROGRAM. WE PROVIDED 4,182 FLOATING CLASSROOM SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS FROM TITLE 1 SCHOOLS. 19 INTERNS AND 2 FELLOWS GAINED CAREER EXPERIENCE IN WATER SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. WE ADDED 1,540 NEW MEMBERS AND HELD 85 COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS TO SHARE OUR MISSION.
  3. $134,535 spent. IN 2024, THE THIRD LARGEST PROGRAM AREA WAS OUR ADVOCACY WORK. WE WROTE AND DELIVERED PUBLIC COMMENT LETTERS AND TESTIMONIES TO AGENCIES AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES. WE HELD TOWN HALL MEETINGS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.