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River Heritage Conservancy Inc

EIN 81-4538349 · Jeffersonvlle, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RIVER HERITAGE CONSERVANCY IS A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO CREATING, IMPROVING, AND SUSTAINING EXCEPTIONAL PARKS AND LANDSCAPES WITH NATURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES UNIQUE TO THE FALLS OF THE OHIO AREA, AND TO ADVANCING OUR REGION'S QUALITY OF LIFE AND ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$16.5 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
44.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
9
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$239,652, ceo

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 44.1 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 84% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 673% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. FOUNDED IN 2016, RIVER HERITAGE CONSERVANCY, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION) IS AN INDIANA BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION FORMED TO CREATE, IMPROVE, AND SUSTAIN EXCEPTIONAL PARKS WITH NATURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES UNIQUE TO THE FALLS OF THE OHIO AREA, ADVANCING THE REGION'S QUALITY OF LIFE AND ENVIRONMENT THROUGH PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. ORIGIN PARK IS THE CENTERPIECE PROJECT FOR THIS INITIATIVE, FOR WHICH THE ORGANIZATION HAS ACQUIRED DEVELOPMENT CONTROL OF MORE THAN 300 ACRES OF THE PLANNED 430 ACRE PARK, PRODUCED A MASTER PLAN, AND UNDERTAKEN PHASE 1 CONSTRUCTION ON 141 ACRES. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY SOURCE OF SUPPORT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY THROUGH GRANTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS. GOING FORWARD, THE ORGANIZATION, WORKING WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WILL UNDERTAKE THE ROLE OF SOLICITING AND ACCEPTING CONTRIBUTIONS AND GRANTS FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER FUNDING SOURCES.WITH AN EXPANDED TEAM OF EIGHT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AND A VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, RIVER HERITAGE CONSERVANCY (RHC) ADVANCED BOTH THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF ORIGIN PARK WHILE ACTIVATING AREAS FOR PUBLIC ACCESS AND PROGRAMMING THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. KEY ACTIVITIES INCLUDED SECURING ADDITIONAL LAND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS, CONDUCTING ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS, FACILITATING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, AND FOCUSING ON IDENTIFYING ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES.ON JULY 24, 2023, THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS PASSED A MOTION TO CREATE A NEW SINGLE MEMBER LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY IN INDIANA TO OPERATE AND POSSIBLY OWN THE WHITEWATER FACILITY. THE NEW SINGLE MEMBER LLC WAS FORMED IN AUGUST 2023 AND IS NAMED WILDWATER VENTURES, LLC.THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDE THE ACCOUNTS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND WILDWATER VENTURES, LLC. ALL INTERCOMPANY TRANSACTIONS AND ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED.

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

  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 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 June 2018.

    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.