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Headwaters at the Comal

EIN 82-2200071 · New Braunfels, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STRENGTHENING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND NATURE BY SHOWCASING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COMAL SPRINGS. PREMIER EDUCATION CENTER INSPIRING HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION TO COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
15.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
65
Highest pay
$266,884, president

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.4 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 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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 (2)
  1. $924,968 spent. PROGRAM SERVICES: HEADWATERS AT THE COMAL HOSTS A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES. TOPICS INCLUDE NATIVE PLANTS, ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER CONSERVATION, ARCHAEOLOGY, A CHILDREN'S SCIENCE SERIES, AND A WATERSHED EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS. HEADWATERS IS OPEN TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR TOURS AND MEETINGS OR TO VISIT ON THEIR OWN AND LEARN THROUGH SELF-GUIDED TOUR INFORMATION AND INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE. A TOTAL OF 2,061 PEOPLE VISITED HEADWATERS AT THE COMAL IN 2024 AND PARTICIPATED IN OVER 32 TOURS, EDUCATION PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS AND SELF-GUIDED VISITS. THE GOAL OF OUR PROGRAMS IS TO INSPIRE HEARTS AND MINDS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION, CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL, TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY.
  2. $80,303 spent. NATIVE PRAIRIE AND RIPARIAN RESTORATION: THE HEADWATERS HAS REMOVED ALMOST 4.5 ACRES OF ASPHALT AND IMPERVIOUS COVER AND REPLACED THAT AREA WITH NATIVE SOIL, HUNDREDS OF GRASSES, FORBS, AND TREES IN ORDER TO DIVERT WATER AWAY FROM THE HEADWATER SPRINGS OF THE COMAL RIVER AND FILTER THROUGH NATURAL STORM WATER MANAGEMENT OF BERMS, SWALES, CHECK DAMS AND VERNAL POOLS. CONTINUAL MAINTENANCE OF THE PRAIRIE AND RIPARIAN AREA ALONG SPRING RUN #4 OF THE COMAL RIVER IS NECESSARY TO CONTROL REINTRODUCTION OF INVASIVE SPECIES. IN ADDITION, CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAMS HELP TO MONITOR WATER QUALITY AND COLLECT DATA ON REINTRODUCTION OF BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES, FROGS, DRAGONFLIES, AND OTHER SPECIES ATTRACTED TO THE RESTORED AREA.

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 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 November 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.

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.