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Water Climate Trust

EIN 83-2451287 · Redding, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Water Climate Trust works to restore aquatic ecosystems with people who depend on them for food, jobs, health, recreation, and cultural survival. To this end, we advance water allocation policies that protect instream flows for ecosystem, climate, and community resilience. We achieve these objectives through grassroots organizing, advocacy, research,communications, and upholding public-interest laws. Our work is guided by the inherent rights of nature, place-based cultures, and future generations.

Income
$378,161
Spending
$354,691
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
3
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$93,580, 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 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 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $164,483 spent. Water For Nature Program: In 2024, we (a) advanced water allocation policies in California and Oregon to protect instream flows for ecosystems and river-dependent communities,(b) helped extend temporary instream flow protections for three Klamath River tributaries and took steps to make them permanent, (c) advanced groundwater policies that protect domestic water supplies and instream flows, (d) worked to ensure that public water-related funding programs do not harm instream flows, (e) coordinated the Oregon Water Justice Alliance, and (f) helped California and Oregon agencies integrate instream flows into their racial equity,climate, and drought policies.
  2. $133,285 spent. Paddle Tribal Waters Storytelling Collaborative:In 2024, we continued serving as a partner in the Paddle Tribal Waters Storytelling Collaborative, managing funds, providing advocacy training, and coordinating with partners to document and host community events centering the program. We also supported Paddle Tribal Waters during their first descent of the un-dammed Klamath River. Paddle Tribal Waters is a collaborative effort with Rios to Rivers to provide Indigenous youth with whitewater kayaking skills, public engagement training and experience,and a platform for sharing their stories as they train to paddle an undammed Klamath River from source to sea.
  3. $33,085 spent. Dam Alternatives: In 2024, we advanced alternatives to harmful dams for water storage and energy production. As a party to the water right hearing for the proposed Sites Reservoir and dam in California, we demonstrated that it is more cost-effective to balance water supply and demand through water conservation, elimination of waste, and storing water in aquifers. We also advocated against the issuance of carbon offsets from dams that emit methane, displace communities, and harm rivers.

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 2024.

    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 February 2019.

    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.