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River Deep Foundation

EIN 81-4540959 · Lakewood, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDES HEALING & SUPPORT TO MILITARY VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$109,883
Spending
$124,273
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
46.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$39,963, executive di

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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $93,697 spent. RIVER DEEP FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO HELPING MILITARY VETERANS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA AND THOSE WHO ASSIST THEM TO HEAL AND RE-ENGAGE IN LIFE THROUGH ADVENTURE, RECREATION AND A NETWORK OF SUPPORT.
  2. RIVER DEEP FOUNDATION SUPPORTS MULTIPLE PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON OUTDOOR GROUP ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FLY FISHING AND HUNTING, WHILE OTHERS FOCUS ON LEARNING A NEW SKILL SUCH AS BLACKSMITHING, ARCHERY, ART, AND SCUBA TO NAME A FEW. AS A WHOLE, RIVER DEEP FOUNDATION ENCOURAGES THE PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT OF FAMILY/CARETAKERS. RIVER DEEP FOUNDATION FORMED AN ALLIANCE WITH OTHER COMPLIMENTARY, STAND ALONE NON-PROFITS TO BE ABLE TO OFFER THEIR CLIENTS ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON SPECIFIC NEEDS FOR DAILY LIFE, SUCH AS PROVIDING SERVICE DOGS, YOGA, AND CHIROPRACTIC CARE. AS OF THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR THERE ARE 11 MEMBERS OF THE RIVER DEEP ALLIANCE. THROUGH THIS ALLIANCE THESE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SERVE MORE CLIENTS AND STRENGTHEN THEIR ORGANIZATIONS BY SHARING IDEAS AND NETWORKING.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2017.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Denver Foundation (Denver, CO), EIN 84-6048381. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.