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Defensores De La Cuenca

EIN 85-1090314 · Hyattsville, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR NAME MEANS WATERSHED DEFENDERS. A NON-PROFIT DEDICATED TO HELPING THE LATINO COMMUNITY CONNECT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH KNOWLEDGE, SHARED EXPERIENCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PRESERVE AND DEFEND THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED FOR A HEALTHIER MIND, BODY AND SOUL.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
11
Volunteers
3,000
Highest pay
$125,585, 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 172% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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. $417,037 spent. LA ACADEMIA: DDLC CREATES ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE POSITIVE CONNECTIONS WITH NATURE. THESE EVENTS HELP CREATE OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE ABOUT ADULT TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT HELP BUILD KNOWLEDGE ON WATERSHED RELATED ISSUES. THIS PROGRAM IS A CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM.
  2. $370,594 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: OVER THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ENGAGE THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BOTH IN-PERSON AND ONLINE, ACROSS THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED WITH THE GOAL OF BUILDING A NETWORK OF LEADERS WHO ARE TAKING ACTION TO SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENT. WE CREATE FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS THAT ARE WELCOMING AND INVITING TO ENSURE POSITIVE CONNECTIONS TO NATURE. WE SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MANY BENEFITS OF A CLEAN AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AND HOW WE CAN POSITIVELY IMPACT IT. WE INVITE STUDENTS TO EARN THEIR SERVICE HOURS TO HELP MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE AND SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITIES. HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS, THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF TRASH COLLECTED, HUNDREDS OF TREES PLANTED.

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 July 2020.

    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.