Prescott Creeks Preservation Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 94 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Prescott Creeks is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with a mission to achieve healthy watersheds and clean waters in central Arizona for the benefit of people and wildlife through protection, restoration, education, and advocacy.
- Income
- $187,206
- Spending
- $221,844
- Spent on programs
- 51%
- Reserves
- 6.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 61%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 537
- Highest pay
- $66,651, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 96% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1551% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 94 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (1)
- $112,754 spent. In the 2025 fiscal year, notable achievements toward the organizations purpose were largely focused with Watson Woods Riparian Preserve (the Preserve). The FOREVER PRESERVED initiative continued to broaden awareness of, and support for, efforts to establish a conservation easement to protect the Preserve in perpetuity. Field trips and presentations were made to the public and groups highlighting the history of the Preserve, current activities, future plans, and a call to action for participants to get involved and to advocate for the Preserve with local decision-makers (elected officials and city key staff).Directly tied to the FOREVER PRESERVED initiative, the Prescott Creeks In-Lieu Fee (ILF) Mitigation Program saw progress with City of Prescott negotiations with the property owner, the City of Prescott, to establish a conservation easement (CE) for the property. By the end of the period a revised (new) lease and attachments, property survey, Joint and Fire Management Plans for the Preserve were ready for finalization. Finalization of the conservation easement and its related elements will result in the addition of 40 acres to the Preserve area (from ~126 to ~166 acres) and bringing the ILF Program into full compliance with the Clean Water Act requirements.Volunteerism with Prescott Creeks continued to be an important component of programmatic accomplishments with activities in the office and field. Coordination for a 4th year with the Central Highlands Chapter of the Arizona Master Naturalist Program resulted in increased volunteer contributions to on-the-ground vegetation management in the Preserve. Joint efforts with Prescott Audubon Society, Arizona Game & Fish Department, and the City of Prescott addressed vegetation and wildlife management and monitoring, recreation management, and education. In particular, the period included the first-ever successful nesting attempt of a Bald Eagle pair in the 40 acres to be added to the Preserve. One male eaglet was banded and fledged from the nest. Coordination with the local power company and City showed progress with routing of the proposed infrastructure which will benefit multiple ecological and recreational resources in the Preserve.Many educational efforts and opportunities during the year supported the above projects and the organizations mission of achieving healthy watersheds and clean waters in central Arizona. In person presentations were made to both local groups, schools, partners, and governments. The annual Granite Creek Cleanup in 2025 marked its 18th year under the leadership of Prescott Creeks (with operational partners: the City of Prescott and the Yavapai County GIS Department). To date, 8,400 participants have collected and removed 55.3 tons of trash and debris from local waterways, parks, and natural areas. Interest in participation continues to trend upward while trash collected continues to trend downward.2026FY accomplishments are expected to include completion and approval of management and development plans, and the establishment of a conservation easement for the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve. The initiation of major on-the-ground restoration and mitigation work will follow. Increased community engagement, volunteerism, and education will continue in the 2026FY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1992.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.