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Florida Springs Council Inc

EIN 81-2889063 · Gainesville, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Florida Springs, River, and Aquifer protection

Income
$352,516
Spending
$310,273
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
3
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$88,934, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (3)
  1. $64,960 spent. Education: FSC coordinates a collaborative network of over 60 environmental education and advocacy organizations. FSC prepares and distributes technically sound education information and resources to members, the public, agency staff, and decision-makers. In 2025, FSC educated tens of thousands of Floridians virtually, and over a thousand in-person, on springs science and research, threats to Florida's water resources, and personal and governmental actions that can preserve and protect Florida's springs from over-pumping, nutrient pollution, and irresponsible recreation.
  2. $109,272 spent. Environmental Advocacy: FSC coordinates and leads statewide and regional advocacy campaigns to protect Florida's springs from development, pollution, excessive water withdrawals, and recreational overuse. FSC's work focuses on 30 Outstanding Florida Springs and Rivers identified in Florida Statute. FSC assists community members, local governments, and agency personnel in developing policies to protect Florida's springs and oppose decisions that would harm Florida's springs. In 2025, FSC had a major role in the drafting and adoption of several county urban fertilizer ordinances, the Santa Fe River Minimum Flow and Level Recovery Strategy, and Basin Management Action Plans for 26 impaired Outstanding Florida Springs. FSC leads multiple efforts to protect and conserve lands at risk of development in central and north Florida. FSC provides technical and advocacy support to individuals and local groups in rural and underserved areas under threat of development, pollution, or excessive water withdrawals.
  3. $61,327 spent. Legal Advocacy: FSC provides expert and legal support to member organizations and individuals on legal issues including: water quality restoration plans, recovery and prevention strategies, water use permitting, public access, and local land use . In 2025, FSC challenged a Department of Environmental Protection water use permitting rule that violated Florida Statutes and two basin management action plans that failed to meet statutory requirements for reducing nitrogen pollution. FSC conducted legal research on a number of topics, including consumptive use permitting rule development, recreational usage, and water supply plans which is provided at no charge to our member organizations and interested individuals. FSC partners with the University of Florida and Stetson College of Law environmental law clinics.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 December 2016.

    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 November 4, 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.