Passes our checks

Wounded Waters Inc

EIN 84-2290581 · Vero Beach, FL

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

What it says it does

Provide Outdoor Adventures to wounded warriors such as combat veterans, active duty military, & 1st responders as a relief from stress and PTSD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).

Reserves
20 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 4.1 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 20% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
7 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)

$118,488 spent. During the year ended December 31, 2025, Wounded Waters, Inc. served veterans and first responders through its core programs of therapeutic fishing trips, scuba diving certification, and food distribution. The Organization conducted multiple fishing trips between February and August, serving a total of 13 veterans and first responders across scheduled outings. Wounded Waters became affiliated with SDI (Scuba Divers International) for dive training, purchasing six e-learning courses and certifying seven individuals in diving during the year. The Organization hosted the Circle of Heros Dive in September, with 13 veterans and first responders attending over two days. In March, the Organization purchased three steers, one goat, and one pig at the Indian River County Youth Livestock and Horticulture auction during the Firefighters Fair, coordinating with Dogs For Life, Inc. to distribute the meat to veteran and first-responder families.
During 2025, the Organization expended $33,531 to purchase market animals (three steers, one goat, one pig) at the youth livestock auction conducted by Indian River County Youth Livestock and Horticulture, Inc., a 501(c)(3) entity. The meat was processed and distributed to veteran and first-responder families in coordination with Dogs For Life, Inc. There is no affiliation between the Organization and either entity beyond this program activity.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.