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Santa Fe Watershed Association

EIN 86-0996109 · Santa Fe, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BUILD A THRIVING, RESILIENT SANTA FE RIVER WATERSHED THROUGH COLLABORATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND EDUCATION THAT INSPIRES US ALL TO CARE FOR OUR LAND, WATER, AND EACH OTHER.

Income
$380,796
Spending
$370,069
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
8
Volunteers
1,590
Highest pay
$58,170, executive di

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 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 (3)
  1. $110,653 spent. CITY OF SANTA FE WATER CONSERVATION OFFICE (PUBLIC UTILITIES): SFWA WORKS WITH THE CITY OF SANTA FE TO PROVIDE WATER CONSERVATION AND WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP EDUCATION FOR RESIDENTS OF SANTA FE THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS. "MY WATER, MY WATERSHED" INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO THEIR LOCAL WATER SUPPLY, WATER QUALITY, AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH, AND SERVES NEARLY ALL 5TH GRADE STUDENTS IN THE GREATER SANTA FE AREA. "MI ARROYO, MI TIERRA," IS THE SUCCESSIVE CURRICULUM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT CONNECTS THE UPPER AND URBAN WATERSHED AND INTRODUCES CONCEPTS OF STORMWATER, EROSION, POLLUTION, AND STEWARDSHIP. "NM CLIMATE MASTERS" IS A TEN (10) WEEK ADULT COURSE DESIGNED FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO LEARN HOLISTICALLY ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE, ITS LOCAL IMPACTS, AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THROUGH A VARIETY OF SECTORS AND SCALES. SFWA ALSO LEADS EDUCATIONAL HIKES INTO THE SANTA FE MUNICIPAL WATERSHED FOR ADULTS, AND IS WORKING WITH THE WATER CONSERVATION OFFICE TO DESIGN A CURRICULUM FOR RAIN GARDENS (BIORETENTION BASINS), COMMUNITY SCIENCE MONITORING PROTOCOLS, AND OTHER PROJECTS. CITY OF SANTA FE WATER CONSERVATION OFFICE (PUBLIC UTILITIES): SFWA WORKS WITH THE CITY OF SANTA FE TO PROVIDE WATER CONSERVATION AND WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP EDUCATION FOR RESIDENTS OF SANTA FE THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS. "MY WATER, MY WATERSHED" INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO THEIR LOCAL WATER SUPPLY, WATER QUALITY, AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH, AND SERVES NEARLY ALL 5TH GRADE STUDENTS IN THE GREATER SANTA FE AREA. "MI ARROYO, MI TIERRA," IS THE SUCCESSIVE CURRICULUM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT CONNECTS THE UPPER AND URBAN WATERSHED AND INTRODUCES CONCEPTS OF STORMWATER, EROSION, POLLUTION, AND STEWARDSHIP. "NM CLIMATE MASTERS" IS A TEN (10) WEEK ADULT COURSE DESIGNED FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO LEARN HOLISTICALLY ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE, ITS LOCAL IMPACTS, AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN THROUGH A VARIETY OF SECTORS AND SCALES. SFWA ALSO LEADS EDUCATIONAL HIKES INTO THE SANTA FE MUNICIPAL WATERSHED FOR ADULTS, AND IS WORKING WITH THE WATER CONSERVATION OFFICE TO DESIGN A CURRICULUM FOR RAIN GARDENS (BIORETENTION BASINS), COMMUNITY SCIENCE MONITORING PROTOCOLS, AND OTHER PROJECTS.
  2. $88,154 spent. CITY OF SANTA FE RIVER AND WATERSHED SECTION, (PUBLIC WORKS): SFWA WORKS WITH THE CITY OF SANTA FE TO ORGANIZE VOLUNTEER TEAMS TO CLEAN URBAN SANTA FE RIVER AND TRIBUTARY ARROYOS FOR ECOLOGICAL HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WATER QUALITY PURPOSES THROUGH THE "ADOPT YOUR WATERSHED" PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM FACILITATES THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEER HOURS TO PICK UP OVER 30 TONS OF TRASH ANNUALLY. IN ADDITION TO CLEANUPS, SFWA HOSTS STEWARDSHIP WORKSHOPS AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES SUCH AS INVASIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, EROSION CONTROL, NATIVE RIPARIAN PLANTINGS, AND RAIN GARDEN MAINTENANCE. WE ALSO PARTNER WITH THE CITY TO HOST LARGER COMMUNITY DAYS TO CLEAN UP, GATHER, LEARN, AND CELEBRATE OUR LOCAL WATERSHED. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE PROGRAM COMES FROM DONATIONS AND SMALLER GRANTS.
  3. $91,639 spent. LINEBERRY FOUNDATION, BELL FAMILY FOUNDATION, OTHERS: SFWA RECEIVES FUNDING FROM PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS AND OTHER DONORS TO SUPPLEMENT THE PROGRAMS LISTED ABOVE AS WELL AS OTHER PROGRAMMING SUCH AS: BUILDING RAIN GARDENS AND ADVOCATING FOR GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH EDUCATION AND PLANNING EFFORTS; SERVING AS THE NEW MEXICO REPRESENTATIVE FOR PROJECTWET; PARTICIPATING IN THE SANTA FE OUTDOOR EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE; SERVING AS THE 2024 CHAIR OF THE GREATER SANTA FE FIRESHED COALITION; SERVING AS THE CO-CHAIR OF THE SANTA FE RIVER TRADITIONAL COMMUNITIES COLLABORATIVE; SERVING ON THE CITY OF SANTA FE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE CITIZENS' ADVISORY WORKING GROUP; AND OTHER COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. SFWA ALSO BEGAN THE FIRST-EVER RESTORATION PLAN FOR THE ENTIRE SANTA FE RIVER WATERSHED THANKS TO A US BUREAU OF RECLAMATION GRANT. LINEBERRY FOUNDATION, BELL FAMILY FOUNDATION, OTHERS: SFWA RECEIVES FUNDING FROM PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS AND OTHER DONORS TO SUPPLEMENT THE PROGRAMS LISTED ABOVE AS WELL AS OTHER PROGRAMMING SUCH AS: BUILDING RAIN GARDENS AND ADVOCATING FOR GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH EDUCATION AND PLANNING EFFORTS; SERVING AS THE NEW MEXICO REPRESENTATIVE FOR PROJECTWET; PARTICIPATING IN THE SANTA FE OUTDOOR EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE; SERVING AS THE 2024 CHAIR OF THE GREATER SANTA FE FIRESHED COALITION; SERVING AS THE CO-CHAIR OF THE SANTA FE RIVER TRADITIONAL COMMUNITIES COLLABORATIVE; SERVING ON THE CITY OF SANTA FE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE CITIZENS' ADVISORY WORKING GROUP; AND OTHER COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. SFWA ALSO BEGAN THE FIRST-EVER RESTORATION PLAN FOR THE ENTIRE SANTA FE RIVER WATERSHED THANKS TO A US BUREAU OF RECLAMATION GRANT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 August 2001.

    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.