Protect Our Rivers
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The purpose of Protect Our Rivers is to protect and restore through active conservation education and access.
- Income
- $161,269
- Spending
- $144,631
- Reserves
- 7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Highest pay
- $72,305, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $97,032 spent. We increase the attendance and impact of our river cleanup events. We hosted 32 events with over 2800 volunteers and removed 88,000 pounds of trash from rivers and streams. We extended our efforts to three states and conducted a 2nd elementary school cleanup with 100 5th-grade students. Planning for three programs in 2026 we sustained impact during the Executive Directors maternity leave.
- $8,756 spent. We increased our education efforts through informational events and shows and educating youth on sources of pollution and their impact on water quality. We also raised general awareness about river health through in-school presentations and implemented new measures for expanding this program in the new year with additional safety precautions.
- $4,536 spent. We implemented another river access program and got18eighteen 5th-grade girls out on the water for a cleanup and their very first whitewater rafting trip. We also laid the groundwork to run three river access programs next year on Clear Creek the Poudre River and the Arkansas River.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 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 October 13, 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 June 2021.
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 October 21, 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.