Kentucky Waterways Alliance Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROTECT, RESTORE AND CELEBRATE KENTUCKY'S UNIQUE WATERWAYS AND WATERSHEDS.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $5.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- 0.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 50%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 215
- Highest pay
- $97,886, 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
Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 235% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 72% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 2513 of 13 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 (5)
- $55,631 spent. KENTUCKY AQUATICS RESOURCE FUND - RESTORE THE KENTUCKY AQUATIC RESOURCE FUND (KARF) IS A COLLABORATIVE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN 2009 BY THE KENTUCKY WATERWAYS ALLIANCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE'S KENTUCKY FIELD OFFICE. MANAGED BY KWA AS THE FUND'S FINANCIAL STEWARD, KARF POOLS RESOURCES FROM MULTIPLE AGENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH, SURVEYS, AND MONITORING OF WATERWAYS, AS WELL AS STREAM AND RIPARIAN HABITAT RESTORATION ACROSS THE STATE. KARF ALSO INCLUDES DAM AND BARRIER REMOVAL IN ITS PORTFOLIO. KARF FUNDS PROPAGATION AND REINTRODUCTION OF THREATENED SPECIES LIKE THE FAT POCKETBOOK MUSSEL, SUPPORTS VOLUNTARY LAND-PRESERVATION AGREEMENTS, AND PROVIDES MATCHING FUNDS FOR GRANT-DRIVEN CONSERVATION PROJECTS. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, KARF ENSURES THAT IMPACTS TO AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS ARE ADDRESSED WITH REAL RECOVERY-FOCUSED BENEFITS, DRIVING TANGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS IN KENTUCKY'S WATERWAYS. KENTUCKY AQUATICS RESOURCE FUND - RESTORE THE KENTUCKY AQUATIC RESOURCE FUND (KARF) IS A COLLABORATIVE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN 2009 BY THE KENTUCKY WATERWAYS ALLIANCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE'S KENTUCKY FIELD OFFICE. MANAGED BY KWA AS THE FUND'S FINANCIAL STEWARD, KARF POOLS RESOURCES FROM MULTIPLE AGENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH, SURVEYS, AND MONITORING OF WATERWAYS, AS WELL AS STREAM AND RIPARIAN HABITAT RESTORATION ACROSS THE STATE. KARF ALSO INCLUDES DAM AND BARRIER REMOVAL IN ITS PORTFOLIO. KARF FUNDS PROPAGATION AND REINTRODUCTION OF THREATENED SPECIES LIKE THE FAT POCKETBOOK MUSSEL, SUPPORTS VOLUNTARY LAND-PRESERVATION AGREEMENTS, AND PROVIDES MATCHING FUNDS FOR GRANT-DRIVEN CONSERVATION PROJECTS. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, KARF ENSURES THAT IMPACTS TO AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS ARE ADDRESSED WITH REAL RECOVERY-FOCUSED BENEFITS, DRIVING TANGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS IN KENTUCKY'S WATERWAYS.
- $5.2 million spent. WATERSHED PROGRAM - RESTORE KWA'S WATERSHED PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES A BROAD RANGE OF INITIATIVES AIMED AT REDUCING NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION AND STRENGTHENING LOCAL WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP. THROUGH ITS SEPTIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, KWA OFFERS INSTALLATION AND REPAIR SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, REPLACING FAILING SYSTEMS THAT THREATEN WATER QUALITY IN AREAS LIKE THE RED RIVER GORGE, ALL FUNDED IN PART THROUGH EPA 319 GRANTS. THE PROGRAM'S WATERSHED SEED GRANT (KWA 2025 -2027) PROVIDES UP TO 3,000 IN PROJECT-BASED FUNDING FOR SMALL NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS WORKING ON NPS ISSUES-FROM STREAM CLEANUPS TO RAIN GARDENS-ACROSS ALL SEVEN OF KENTUCKY'S MAJOR RIVER BASINS. FACILITATING PEER SUPPORT AND LEARNING, THE KENTUCKY WATERSHED NETWORK BRINGS TOGETHER WATERSHED LEADERS STATEWIDE, WHILE LOCALLY THE RED RIVER FESTIVAL COMBINES COMMUNITY EDUCATION, OUTDOOR RECREATION (LIKE CANOE RACES), STREAM CLEANUPS, AND LIVE MUSIC TO CELEBRATE AND PROTECT THE WATERSHED-A KEY RECIPIENT OF RECENT KENTUCKY RIVER AUTHORITY GRANTS SUPPORTING THIS BELOVED EVENT. IT IS DIFFICUL TO ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL SIMPACTED BY OUR WORK - FOR EVERY FAMILY THAT RECEIVED A SEPTIC INSTALL, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND ALL DOWNRIVER COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM A REDUCTION IN WATER CONTAMINATION. WE FUNDED SEVEN SEED GRANT PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE, EACH FOR ORGANIATIOS THAT HAVE DEEP TIES WITH AND IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITIES. THREE HUNDRED PEOPLE ATTENDED THE RED RIVER FESTIVAL. WATERSHED PROGRAM - RESTORE KWA'S WATERSHED PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES A BROAD RANGE OF INITIATIVES AIMED AT REDUCING NONPOINT SOURCE POLLUTION AND STRENGTHENING LOCAL WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP. THROUGH ITS SEPTIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, KWA OFFERS INSTALLATION AND REPAIR SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, REPLACING FAILING SYSTEMS THAT THREATEN WATER QUALITY IN AREAS LIKE THE RED RIVER GORGE, ALL FUNDED IN PART THROUGH EPA 319 GRANTS. THE PROGRAM'S WATERSHED SEED GRANT (KWA 2025 -2027) PROVIDES UP TO 3,000 IN PROJECT-BASED FUNDING FOR SMALL NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS WORKING ON NPS ISSUES-FROM STREAM CLEANUPS TO RAIN GARDENS-ACROSS ALL SEVEN OF KENTUCKY'S MAJOR RIVER BASINS. FACILITATING PEER SUPPORT AND LEARNING, THE KENTUCKY WATERSHED NETWORK BRINGS TOGETHER WATERSHED LEADERS STATEWIDE, WHILE LOCALLY THE RED RIVER FESTIVAL COMBINES COMMUNITY EDUCATION, OUTDOOR RECREATION (LIKE CANOE RACES), STREAM CLEANUPS, AND LIVE MUSIC TO CELEBRATE AND PROTECT THE WATERSHED-A KEY RECIPIENT OF RECENT KENTUCKY RIVER AUTHORITY GRANTS SUPPORTING THIS BELOVED EVENT. IT IS DIFFICUL TO ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL SIMPACTED BY OUR WORK - FOR EVERY FAMILY THAT RECEIVED A SEPTIC INSTALL, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND ALL DOWNRIVER COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM A REDUCTION IN WATER CONTAMINATION. WE FUNDED SEVEN SEED GRANT PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE, EACH FOR ORGANIATIOS THAT HAVE DEEP TIES WITH AND IMPACT ON THEIR COMMUNITIES. THREE HUNDRED PEOPLE ATTENDED THE RED RIVER FESTIVAL.
- $163,120 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - CELEBRATE IN 2024, KWA DEEPENED ITS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE STATE THROUGH A COMBINATION OF ON-THE-GROUND ACTION, PUBLIC STORYTELLING, AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS. OUR COMMONWEALTH SWEEP CLEANUP SERIES MOBILIZED OVER 200 VOLUNTEERS IN ALL SEVEN OF KENTUCKY'S MAJOR RIVER BASINS-FROM EARTH DAY ON BEARGRASS CREEK TO COORDINATED LITTER PICKUPS IN COMMUNITIES LIKE COVINGTON AND MANCHESTER-REMINDING KENTUCKIANS THAT CLEAN WATER STARTS WITH LOCAL CARE. WE ALSO HOSTED FIVE PUBLIC SCREENINGS OF THE DOCUMENTARY THIS IS THE OHIO: LIFE, DEATH & REBIRTH OF THE BEAUTIFUL RIVER, DRAWING MORE THAN 1,000 ATTENDEES TO ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE OHIO RIVER AND OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT IT. THIS ON-THE-GROUND WORK IS AMPLIFIED BY A ROBUST COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY THAT'S ALSO A CORE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: OUR WELL-RECEIVED SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE, OUR EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH-PERFORMING E-NEWSLETTER (WITH A 60% OPEN RATE), AND OUR BIANNUAL PRINT MAGAZINE ALL HELP CONNECT, INFORM, AND MOBILIZE KENTUCKIANS AROUND WATER ISSUES. TAKEN TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS ALLOW KWA TO REACH THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR-BUILDING NOT JUST AWARENESS, BUT A GROWING MOVEMENT FOR CLEAN, HEALTHY WATERWAYS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - CELEBRATE IN 2024, KWA DEEPENED ITS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE STATE THROUGH A COMBINATION OF ON-THE-GROUND ACTION, PUBLIC STORYTELLING, AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS. OUR COMMONWEALTH SWEEP CLEANUP SERIES MOBILIZED OVER 200 VOLUNTEERS IN ALL SEVEN OF KENTUCKY'S MAJOR RIVER BASINS-FROM EARTH DAY ON BEARGRASS CREEK TO COORDINATED LITTER PICKUPS IN COMMUNITIES LIKE COVINGTON AND MANCHESTER-REMINDING KENTUCKIANS THAT CLEAN WATER STARTS WITH LOCAL CARE. WE ALSO HOSTED FIVE PUBLIC SCREENINGS OF THE DOCUMENTARY THIS IS THE OHIO: LIFE, DEATH & REBIRTH OF THE BEAUTIFUL RIVER, DRAWING MORE THAN 1,000 ATTENDEES TO ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE OHIO RIVER AND OUR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT IT. THIS ON-THE-GROUND WORK IS AMPLIFIED BY A ROBUST COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY THAT'S ALSO A CORE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: OUR WELL-RECEIVED SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE, OUR EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH-PERFORMING E-NEWSLETTER (WITH A 60% OPEN RATE), AND OUR BIANNUAL PRINT MAGAZINE ALL HELP CONNECT, INFORM, AND MOBILIZE KENTUCKIANS AROUND WATER ISSUES. TAKEN TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS ALLOW KWA TO REACH THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR-BUILDING NOT JUST AWARENESS, BUT A GROWING MOVEMENT FOR CLEAN, HEALTHY WATERWAYS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.
- $33,974 spent. WATER POLICY AND ADVOCACY - PROTECT IN 2024, KWA'S WATER POLICY WORK MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES, AND WE'VE CONTINUED TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN SHAPING THE BIPARTISAN OHIO RIVER RESTORATION PROGRAM, WORKING CLOSELY WITH FELLOW NGOS AND CONGRESSIONAL CHAMPIONS-REP. MORGAN MCGARVEY (D-KY) AND REP. ERIN HOUCHIN (R-IN)-TO ADVANCE A FEDERAL RESTORATION OFFICE AND SECURE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN THE RIVER'S HEALTH. ON THE STATE LEVEL, KWA HELPED HALT AN ILLEGAL, OFF?PERMIT DISCHARGE OF 4.5?MILLION GALLONS OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER INTO THE GREEN RIVER, AFTER THREATENING LEGAL ACTION AND RAISING CLEAN-WATER CONCERNS WITH REGULATORS. WE ALSO LED THE ADVOCACY AGAINST SENATE BILL?89-WHICH WOULD HAVE ROLLED BACK PROTECTIONS FOR GROUNDWATER, WETLANDS, AND HEADWATERS- COORDINATING COALITION EFFORTS TO DEFEND KENTUCKIANS' WATER RIGHTS. TOGETHER, THESE ACHIEVEMENTS DEMONSTRATE KWA'S GROWING INFLUENCE IN CRAFTING EFFECTIVE WATER POLICY AT BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS. BOLSTERING ALL OF THIS, DONOR SUPPORT ALLOWED US TO HIRE OUR FIRST WATER POLICY DIRECTOR, NICK HART, IN OCTOBER 2024.
- WATER POLICY AND ADVOCACY - PROTECT IN 2024, KWA'S WATER POLICY WORK MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES, AND WE'VE CONTINUED TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN SHAPING THE BIPARTISAN OHIO RIVER RESTORATION PROGRAM, WORKING CLOSELY WITH FELLOW NGOS AND CONGRESSIONAL CHAMPIONS-REP. MORGAN MCGARVEY (D-KY) AND REP. ERIN HOUCHIN (R-IN)-TO ADVANCE A FEDERAL RESTORATION OFFICE AND SECURE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN THE RIVER'S HEALTH. ON THE STATE LEVEL, KWA HELPED HALT AN ILLEGAL, OFF?PERMIT DISCHARGE OF 4.5?MILLION GALLONS OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER INTO THE GREEN RIVER, AFTER THREATENING LEGAL ACTION AND RAISING CLEAN-WATER CONCERNS WITH REGULATORS. WE ALSO LED THE ADVOCACY AGAINST SENATE BILL?89-WHICH WOULD HAVE ROLLED BACK PROTECTIONS FOR GROUNDWATER, WETLANDS, AND HEADWATERS- COORDINATING COALITION EFFORTS TO DEFEND KENTUCKIANS' WATER RIGHTS. TOGETHER, THESE ACHIEVEMENTS DEMONSTRATE KWA'S GROWING INFLUENCE IN CRAFTING EFFECTIVE WATER POLICY AT BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS. BOLSTERING ALL OF THIS, DONOR SUPPORT ALLOWED US TO HIRE OUR FIRST WATER POLICY DIRECTOR, NICK HART, IN OCTOBER 2024.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1993.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.
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