Wimberley Valley Watershed Assoc Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Watershed Associations (WVWA) mission is to ensure that communities are aware of their connection and responsibilities to their watershed and are supported in implementing water policies and practices that will ensure ecological sustainability for future generations. We advocate for clean, clear flowing springs and streams and the sustained health of the Central Texas region through conducting scientific research, networking and facilitating diverse stakeholders, and providing community engagement through experiential education.
- Income
- $3.4 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- -71.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 36
- Highest pay
- $320,118, 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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 63% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 60% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 144% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
- $319,955 spent. Policy Advocacy and Environmental PlanningThe organization works with nonprofits, governments, and resource management agencies to promote sustainable environmental policies to protect and preserve land and water. We hold a broad lens of the dynamics affecting water in Central Texas and engage stakeholders in community and regional planning processes that promote best management practices for new development and incentives for protecting open space for aquifer recharge and water quality. The WA provides crucial support for partnering organizations and districts to address large policy cases that pose significant threats to our water resources. By leveraging its extensive network and providing sound scientific expertise, the Watershed Association enables a coordinated and effective response to complex water issues. This collaborative approach allows us to address water challenges at both local and regional levels, comprehensively ensuring a strong, unified stance in the face of emerging threats to our water resources. In 20242025, our advocacy focused on defending the authority of Groundwater Conservation Districts (GCDs) in the face of ongoing legal challenges. Regionally, we helped establish and implement the Blanco-Cypress Watershed Protection Plana first-of-its-kind interlocal agreement uniting Hays County, Wimberley, Woodcreek, and Texas State University to coordinate monitoring and policy efforts. This collaborative governance framework is now funding long-term watershed protection and clean water initiatives across jurisdictions. Through local, regional, and state-level initiativesincluding drought-stage policy development, pristine streams advocacy, and land-use planning reformswe advance proactive and innovative strategies to ensure water resilience and ecological integrity in a rapidly shifting landscape.
- $55,880 spent. Watershed Protection & Conservation Science - The Watershed Association protects vital water resources through scientific monitoring, policy development, and collaborative watershed management. Since 2003, we have collected quality-assured water quality data for the Texas Clean Rivers Program, monitoring the Blanco River and Cypress Creek for Clean Water Act compliance. Our organization initiated the EPA-approved Cypress Creek Watershed Protection Plan in 2008, the first in Texas to proactively focus on groundwater protection supporting surface water quality. Our advocacy and technical expertise also supported the Pristine Streams Rulemaking Initiative at TCEQ, the Dye Trace Study in lower Cypress Creek, and watershed restoration following harmful flooding and drought impacts. In 2024, we achieved a significant milestone through an interlocal agreement with Hays County, the cities of Wimberley and Woodcreek, and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. This innovative partnership funds water quality monitoring and implements watershed protection strategies through a dedicated County Watershed Coordinator position. The Association continues to serve on the Jacob's Well Groundwater Management Zone initiative, working with the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District and regional stakeholders to establish drought triggers and management practices. This comprehensive approach to watershed protection integrates scientific monitoring, policy development, and multi-jurisdictional collaboration to ensure sustainable water resources for future generations.
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 July 1999.
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.