Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Alabamas Mtns Rivers and Valleys Rsc Conservation and Dev Council

EIN 63-0822867 · Hartselle, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission is to improve the economic social and physical environment of North Alabama communities by providing resources programs and education.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
4
Volunteers
278
Highest pay
$73,920, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 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 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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

    13 of 13 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 September 30, 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 (4)
  1. $23,000 spent. Water Works | Gave 443 students immersive place-based experiences that deepened their understanding of local water resources and their role in protecting them. The organization hosted 18 field trips featuring hands-on activities and outdoor learning focused on surface and groundwater watersheds and the connections between water forests wetlands wildlife and human use. By engaging students directly with local environments and water systems Water Works fostered long-term environmental awareness and stewardship.
  2. $424,124 spent. Agricultural programs | Equipped 48 adults with practical knowledge to support conservation-minded sustainable agricultural and nutrition practices in their classrooms and communities. The organization offered 5 adult classes including teacher workshops Food & Nutrition Services-related programs and guided tours focused on water soil health and natural resource conservation. These sessions helped participants integrate conservation topics into curricula and outreach multiplying the organizations impact through the students and community members they serve.
  3. $49,685 spent. Drinking Water Festival | The Festival inspired over 150 students to understand where their drinking water comes from and why protecting local water resources matters to their daily lives. Through one festival event the organization delivered interactive lessons on surface and groundwater drinking water systems and practical conservation behaviors students can adopt at home and school. Staff used hands-on activities and presentations to encourage environmental stewardship and connect classroom learning to real-world water issues.
  4. $1.2 million spent. 4d. Grantmaking and Community Project Support The organizations competitive grant program strengthened conservation education and community projects across its multicounty region by channeling resources to local partners that are best positioned to address ontheground needs. Through a structured process applications were accepted during a defined window scored for eligibility and merit by Board and Council members and formally approved at quarterly council meetings. Approved grantees entered into written grant agreements outlining eligible activities timelines and budgets. During the October 1June 30 project period staff monitored progress through required midyear checkins for projects not yet completed by March and through final reports due June 30. To receive reimbursement grantees submitted invoices and proof of payment photos and video documentation and a completed final report which staff reviewed to verify that grant funds were used for approved purposes and that project outcomes aligned with the grant agreement. This program expanded the organizations impact by supporting multiple locally led projects that advanced conservation environmental education and community resilience throughout the service area.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 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 November 2003.

    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.