Wicomico Environmental Trust Ltd
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Wicomico Environmental Trust supports protecting the environment, with special emphasis on the Wicomico River, its tributaries, and the paleochannel, and other policies that preserve and protect nature in our county and the Chesapeake Bay region. We work with other nonprofits, government, businesses, and individuals to keep or water, forests, and farmland beautiful and healthy for future generations to enjoy.
- Income
- $80,526
- Spending
- $82,387
- Reserves
- 18.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 71%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
- $8,742 spent. WET has the primary responsibility of administering the Creekwatchers Program which was begun 20 years ago. The Creekwatchers group is a grassroots volunteer-based organization which was formed to assess the health of the Wicomico River with financial support provided by the City of Salisbury and Wicomico County with technical expertise and scientific analysis provided by Salisbury University. More than 40 citizen scientists monitored 26 sites throughout the watershed from March to November at regular two-week intervals. Analysis is conducted with special emphasis on the types of bacteria found to determine human or animal origin. The results of these analyses are made publicly available on an annual basis and inform local government decision-making processes where the Chesapeake Bay water quality is of concern.
- $10,805 spent. Waterside Park: Chesapeake Bay Trust and the City of Salisbury in partnership with the Wicomico County NAACP has been awarded a grant to commence in 2022 to plan and develop this park. The neighbors of the park, primarily minorities, are central to the planning and development of this park. In 2023, efforts focused on clearing invasive species and the planting of 126 trees. Plant/tree maintenance will continue in 2024 and 2025 along with environmental education and outreach programs to engage the local community.
- $7,361 spent. The Wicomico Environmental Trust partners with and is the fiscal sponsor for the Youth Environmental Action Summit Program. YEAS's mission is to support young people in taking action on hyper-local environmental issues and to build up their capacity to lead and make the change they want to see in their community.
- $7,300 spent. Provided ongoing legal, financial, grassroots mobilization, and communications support for several efforts to protect and improve environmental health on the Lower Shore. In 2024, significant efforts were made to (a) provide a town hall forum for key constituents from environmental organizations, agri-business and government officials to discuss solutions to environmental waste disposal; and (b) work with the University of Maryland Agriculture extension office to educate homeowners on effective septic systems.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 2024.
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 August 2005.
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.
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.