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EIN 84-0808982 · Boulder, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION IS A COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT, INCORPORATED IN 1976, THAT EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY AND MAKE CONSERVATION A WAY OF LIFE. ITS VISION IS TO BUILD A WATERWISE, RESILIENT, AND WASTE-FREE COLORADO. THE ORGANIZATION SERVES HOMEOWNERS, WATER UTILITIES, MUNICIPALITIES, AND SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS COLORADO. THROUGH CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THAT REDUCE WATER USE AND THROUGH A RETAIL OPERATION THAT DIVERTS REUSABLE BUILDING MATERIALS FROM THE LANDFILL, RESOURCE CENTRAL ADVANCES PRACTICAL, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES MOST PROGRAMS AS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE BY IDENTIFYING MARKET-BASED OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE MORE RESIDENTS IN EVERYDAY CONSERVATION.

Income
$5.5 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 36%
Employees
96
Volunteers
449
Highest pay
$217,222, president/ce

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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    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, 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. $3.1 million spent. WATER AND ENERGY WHICH INCLUDES: RENEW OUR SCHOOLS: ENGAGES STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS IN CONSERVING ENERGY THROUGH EDUCATION AND FRIENDLY COMPETITIONS THAT ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO REDUCE ENERGY USE. THIS PROGRAM WAS ELIMINATED TOWARDS THE END OF 2025. SLOW THE FLOW: HELPS RESIDENTS OPTIMIZE IN-GROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY OUTDOOR WATER USE. LAWN REPLACEMENT SERVICE: SUPPORTS HOUSEHOLDS IN TRANSITIONING FROM WATER- INTENSIVE TURF GRASS TO WATERWISE LANDSCAPES BY REMOVING SECTIONS OF LAWN SO RESIDENTS CAN REIMAGINE THEIR YARDS. GARDEN IN A BOX: PROVIDES PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED, WATERWISE GARDEN KITS TAILORED FOR COLORADO YARDS. THESE AFFORDABLE, DO-IT-YOURSELF KITS MAKE IT EASY FOR RESIDENTS TO INSTALL WATERWISE GARDENS AND REDUCE OUTDOOR WATER USE. WATER AND ENERGY WHICH INCLUDES: RENEW OUR SCHOOLS: ENGAGES STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS IN CONSERVING ENERGY THROUGH EDUCATION AND FRIENDLY COMPETITIONS THAT ENCOURAGE SCHOOLS TO REDUCE ENERGY USE. THIS PROGRAM WAS ELIMINATED TOWARDS THE END OF 2025. SLOW THE FLOW: HELPS RESIDENTS OPTIMIZE IN-GROUND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS TO REDUCE UNNECESSARY OUTDOOR WATER USE. LAWN REPLACEMENT SERVICE: SUPPORTS HOUSEHOLDS IN TRANSITIONING FROM WATER- INTENSIVE TURF GRASS TO WATERWISE LANDSCAPES BY REMOVING SECTIONS OF LAWN SO RESIDENTS CAN REIMAGINE THEIR YARDS. GARDEN IN A BOX: PROVIDES PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED, WATERWISE GARDEN KITS TAILORED FOR COLORADO YARDS. THESE AFFORDABLE, DO-IT-YOURSELF KITS MAKE IT EASY FOR RESIDENTS TO INSTALL WATERWISE GARDENS AND REDUCE OUTDOOR WATER USE.
  2. $1.6 million spent. MATERIALS REUSE: COLLECTS AND RESELLS DONATED BUILDING MATERIALS AT DISCOUNTED PRICES, HELPING KEEP USABLE MATERIALS OUT OF LANDFILLS WHILE MAKING HOME IMPROVEMENT RESOURCES MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

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 1980.

    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.