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Passes our checks

Water Genome

EIN 84-3242801 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

501CTHREE BRINGS ATTENTION TO THE SOLUTIONS THAT WILL HELP BUILD A CLEANER, MORE SUSTAINABLE, AND MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE. THE WATER BOX IS 501CTHREES PROGRAM TO PROVIDE UNLIMITED CLEAN, SAFE WATER TO PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES WHERE DRINKING WATER IS UNSAFE OR INACCESSIBLE.

Income
$230,479
Spending
$278,374
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
31

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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.

  • 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. $260,168 spent. 501CTHREE RAISES AWARENESS OF WATER QUALITY ISSUES, WATER ACCESS, AND THE WORK OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PROVIDE THEIR RESIDENTS WITH SAFE, CLEAN WATER THROUGH CREATIVE, IMPACTFUL STORYTELLING AND ONLINE CONTENT. OUR OUTREACH LED TO THE DONATION OF OVER 2,000 REUSABLE WATER CARRIERS TO COMMUNITIES IN NEED FROM DONORS AROUND THE WORLD.
  2. 501CTHREES WATER BOX PROGRAM PROVIDES UNLIMITED CLEAN, SAFE WATER TO PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES WITH UNSAFE DRINKING WATER. BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT RESIDENTS TRUST THE PEOPLE THEY RECEIVE WATER FROM, 501CTHREE SUPPORTS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN FLINT, NEWARK AND LOS ANGELES SKID ROW TO ADMINISTER THE WATER BOX PROGRAM - WHICH INCLUDES WATER DISTRIBUTION, TESTING, AND COMMUNICATION. IN 2020, 501CTHREE EXPANDED THE WATER BOX PROGRAM TO THREE NEW LOCATIONS IN TWO ADDITIONAL CITIES AND DISTRIBUTED 35,000 GALLONS OF SAFE DRINKING WATER.

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 October 2019.

    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.