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Lower Desplaines Watershed Group

EIN 82-1370659 · Naperville, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LOWER DES PLAINES WATERSHED GROUP (LDWG) IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL, AND SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES. ITS MISSION IS TO BRING TOGETHER A COALITION OF STAKE HOLDERS TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE WATER QUALITY AND STREAM RESOURCE QUALITY IN THE LOWER DESPLAINES RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.

Income
$484,011
Spending
$523,528
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
11.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
6

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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.

  • 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 February 28, 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. $515,079 spent. DATA COLLECTED THROUGH A LONG-TERM CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL MONITORING PROGRAM IS USED BY LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES, INDUSTRIES, AND THE ILLINOIS EPA TO BEST ASSESS THE STRESSORS TO THE AQUATIC SYSTEMS AS WELL AS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT COST EFFECTIVE PROJECTS THAT IMPROVE HABITAT AND WATER QUALITY IN THE LOWER DES PLAINES RIVER. BENEFITS APPROXIMATELY 1,050,335 PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE LOWER DES PLAINES WATERSHED.
  2. ADMINISTRATION INCLUDES MANAGING ACCOUNTING DUTIES, ATTENDING BOARD MEETINGS, CONDUCTING MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS, COORDINATING CONTRACTS, AND MAINTAINING THE WEBSITE, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNICATION NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THESE TASKS.
  3. WATER QUALITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED TO THE MEMBERS TO INFORM THE APPROX. 1,050,335 PERSONS IN THE LOWER DES PLAINES RIVER WATERSHED ABOUT THE SCIENTIFIC DATA ANALYSIS AND PROJECTS THAT RESULT FROM THIS ANALYSIS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 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 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 February 2026.

    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 August 2019.

    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.