Fountain Creek Watershed Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 270 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
MISSION IS TO PRESERVE, IMPROVE AND REVITALIZE THE FOUNTAIN CREEK AND MONUMENT CREEK RIPARIAN CORRIDORS IN COLORADO SPRINGS, TO IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES AND STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT ALONG THE CORRIDORS, TO PROMOTE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING WATER FLOW AND QUALITY, AND TO FOSTER PARK AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ALONG THE CREEKS.
- Income
- $36,848
- Spending
- $541,745
- Spent on programs
- 94%
- Reserves
- 0 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 86%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 5
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
Weak: 24 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1370% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 92% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1594% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 270 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $508,508 spent. Organization has assumed primary responsibility for informing the community organizations and, when requested, City Council, about the COS Creek Plan and the progress made in achieving the vision and objectives of the Plan. In addition to individual meetings with community and organizational leaders, the organization has made presentations to over twenty-five community organizations. Organization worked collaboratively with the City of Colorado Springs and Colorado Springs Utilities to advance the COS Creek Plan. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers feasibility study for the COS Creek Plan was authorized by the 2024 Water Resource Development Act. Organization was awarded two Colorado Water Plan grants by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. The first is in the amount of $187,305 (the organization's match is $62,435) to develop a Stream Reach Plan for Monument Creek from Monument Valley Park to Garden of the Gods Road. The second grant is in the amount of $149,842 to develop a Stream Reach Plan for Monument Creek from the north end of Monument Valley Park (MVP) to the south end of ATB Park. The organization's match is $49,947.50. Organization was also awarded an Economic Development Agency grant at a total project cost of $100,000, $80,000 from the EDA and $20,000 from the organization.
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
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 2024.
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 August 2022.
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.