Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Western Resource Advocates

EIN 84-1113831 · Boulder, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is a regional nonprofit advocacy organization fighting climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. As the region's go-to experts for more than three decades, WRA's on-the-ground work advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife. WRA develops, advocates for, and implements science-based policies informed by diverse communities and stakeholders to create a healthier and more equitable future for all Western communities. WRA creates transformational change by driving action at the state level to effectively address complex conservation problems in the West.

Income
$12.4 million
Spending
$15.3 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
93
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$367,288, president

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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 30% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 (3)
  1. $7.4 million spent. Clean Energy - The vision of our clean energy work is that our homes, buildings and transportation systems will be powered by clean energy and the West is prospering in a zero-carbon economy. WRA uses public policy to align the financial interests of electricity producers and consumers with decarbonizing electricity production and electrifying other sectors of the economy. By working to retire coal, replace generation with clean energy and transportation, advance clean energy markets, and modernize the grid, WRA is transforming the region.
  2. $2.8 million spent. Healthy Rivers - The vision of our healthy rivers work is that Western rivers are thriving even in the face of climate change and these critical waterways are protected to support ecosystems, local communities, and world-class recreation. Water is conserved and key river reaches are revitalized and managed to support healthy river ecology, sustainable water use, and resilience to a changing climate. WRA develops, advocates for, and implements policies, programs and river management that saves water and protects rivers through improving stream flow, reducing water use, and improved water planning.
  3. $2.1 million spent. Western Lands - The vision of our Western lands work is that at least half of the land in each major ecoregion are legally protected in order to conserve biodiversity in the face of rapid habitat loss and climate change. Public lands need to be shielded from new development, restored, and managed sustainably for ecological health. Layers of protections ensure diverse wildlife habitat, thriving populations of native species, and enduring cultural values of lands and watersheds.

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 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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 July 1989.

    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 November 4, 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.