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Roaring Fork Conservancy

EIN 84-1375379 · Basalt, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO EXPLORE, VALUE, AND PROTECT THE ROARING FORK WATERSHED.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
16
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$156,219, 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: 63 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $706,015 spent. EDUCATION: IMPLEMENTED MEET YOUR HEADWATERS WHICH PROVIDED 5TH GRADERS IN BASALT AND AURORA A 3-DAY IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE INTO THEIR SHARED WATER SUPPLY.POLICY: COMPLETION OF CRYSTAL RIVER RIVERFRONT RESTORATION AFTER 8 YEARS OF STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, SITE ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING, FUNDRAISING, AND IMPLEMENTATION WHICH ARE PROVIDED INSTREAM AND RIPARIAN BENEFITS, AND DEMONSTRATING FUNCTIONAL HEADGATE AND INSTREAM DIVERSION STRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, ALL ON PUBLICLY OWNED AND ACCESSIBLE LAND.WATER QUALITY COMPLETE A TWO-YEAR INTENSIVE PROCESS OF ROBUST WATER QUALITY MONITORING, SIGNIFICANT OUTREACH TO STAKEHOLDERS AT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS, AND A COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSAL TO THE STATE WATER QUALITY CONTROL COMMISSION, PROPOSING SEVERAL STREAM REACHES TO BE LISTED AS OUTSTANDING WATERS.AND,LEADERSHIP ON THE LINCOLN CREEK WORKING GROUP HELPING COORDINATE STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO CREATE AND EXECUTE A NOVEL SAMPLING PROTOCOL.
  2. $796,144 spent. VARIOUS PROJECTS:CRYSTAL RIVER PROJECT DROUGHT RESILIENCY PROJECT KEEP IT CLEAN PROJECTOUTSTANDING WATERS PROJECT

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 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 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 December 1997.

    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.