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Hermits Peak Watershed Alliance

EIN 83-0514816 · Sapello, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Hermits Peak Watershed Alliance HPWA works to protect and restore the ecological and cultural heritage of the Hermits Peak region through restoration environmental education and community action.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 83%
Employees
22
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$69,851, executive director

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $794,811 spent. Restoration work done in 2025 focused on three main projects. We worked with approximately ten landowners in the Sapello River Watershed to remediate watershed impacts from the Hermits Peak - Calf Canyon Fire with funding from a Clean Water Section 319 grant. Work entailed construction of hand-built erosion control structures reforestation and flood mitigation. Some reforestation occurred in the Santa Fe National Forest and assistance with fencing repairs and burned timber removal all occurred to assist the US Forest Service. Two other significant river restoration efforts were completed in 2025 and resulted in approximately 2 miles of the Sapello River and Mora River restored. A Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART grant provided funding to develop designs for a number of projects to prepare them for future implementation.
  2. $200,107 spent. The most significant education project was to employ train and guide eleven 14-25 year olds in post-fire watershed restoration for the summer of 2025. This education and workforce development was done with support from the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Commission. This was our third year in carrying out this YCC project. With state funding from the Outdoor Equity Program we conducted youth nature appreciation and outdoor recreation programs for a group of middle school students. Education included birding macroinvertebrate identification and ecology and flyfishing. Other education programs featured the development and distribution of a series of videos on Post-Fire Restoration techniques including erosion control reforestation and reseeding with herbaceous plants. These are available to the public.
  3. $65,143 spent. Seven private landowners were assisted with post-fire land restoration work with private contracts. Very few contractors exist in our area to assist private landowners with watershed restoration needs. We began providing this service in 2024.

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 2024.

    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 November 2009.

    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.