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Passes our checks

Water & Light

EIN 81-4046432 · Florence, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY BY ADVOCATING FOR BASIC HUMAN NEEDS AS WELL AS THROUGH EDUCATION, MENTORSHIP, AND CONSERVATION

Income
$317,968
Spending
$312,459
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Highest pay
$48,487, president

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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $286,323 spent. 2025 was the first full school year using our new facility. La Tribu Radiante (our after-school and child sponsorship program) was our main focus. It was a year to learn how to utilize our new solar-powered space and implement new curriculum. We were amazed once again by the number of sponsors who came alongside deserving children who worked hard to pursue their education. The number of sponsored children grew to 171 students. Each received a uniform, shoes, a backpack, school supplies, and healthy meals throughout the year. Our wonderful staff of 30 teachers, cooks, and drivers mentored over 400 students attending classes on a weekly basis.A full belly is needed to concentrate on educational goals. Over 19,000 healthy meals were served to our students and staff in 2025. We continued with Spanish, English, math, and computer classes, along with two weeks of swimming camp and sea turtle release field trips for each age group.One of our greatest goals has always been to help students complete their education. As we continue with our mission of long-term transformational development, we are beginning to see results. In 2025, 17 students graduated, and 27 primary-aged students moved on to high school. We implemented a new dynamic early childhood reading program and saw lots of smiles as 33 students went from not knowing their letters to being able to read a book.We are honored each day to walk alongside you and the people of Salinas Grande, being transformed together. Please find your 2025 giving statement attached for tax purposes.La Tribu Radiante (our after-school and child sponsorship program) was our main focus in 2024. We were amazed once again by the amount of sponsors who came alongside deserving children who worked hard to pursue their education. The number of sponsored children grew to 162 students. Each received a uniform, shoes, backpack, school supplies and healthy meals throughout the year. Our wonderful staff of teachers, cooks, and drivers mentored over 400 students attending classes on a weekly basis. 11,430 healthy meals were served and went directly into the hands of hungry children. We continued with Spanish, English, math, and computer classes along with 2 weeks of swimming camp and our first gymnastics camp. One of our greatest goals has always been to help students complete their education. Last year we had one student graduate, but this year, 15 of the students we mentored graduated from high school, and 33 students were promoted from 6th grade into secondary school. Long term transformational development is beginning to show results.

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 2015.

    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.