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Hood River Watershed Group

EIN 88-3028293 · Hood River, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUSTAIN AND IMPROVE THE HOOD RIVER WATERSHED THROUGH EDUCATION, COOPERATON, AND STEWARDSHIP, AND WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AGENCIES, TRIBAL NATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUP AND LANDOWNERS. (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR FULL STATEMENT)

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
3
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$83,019, 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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 58% 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 124% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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 (5)
  1. $2.4 million spent. HABITAT RESTORATION: THE ORGANIZATION RESTORES INSTREAM HABITAT TO IMPROVE SPAWNING AND REARING HABITAT FOR THREATENED NATIVE FISH SPECIES. THIS INCLUDES INSTALLNG LARGE WOOD IN STREAMS TO IMPROVE HYDROLOGY, CREATE SPAWNING HABITAT, AND RECONNCECT FLOODPLAINS; REPLACEMENT OF CULVERTS OR REMOVAL OF DAMS THAT ARE BARRIERS TO FISH PASSAGE; AND THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE PLANTS AND REPLANTING STREAM SIDES WITH NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS.
  2. $69,211 spent. WATER SCALE PLANNING: HRWG CONDUCTS WATERSHED-SCALE PLANNING TO FOCUS WORK ON PROJECTS THAT OFFER THE HIGHEST RETURN. THIS INCLUDES CONVENING A DIVESITY OF NATURAL RESOURCE EPERTISE WITHIN THE WATERSHED AND FOCUSING COLLECTIVE EFFORTS ON THE HIGHEST PRIORITY PROJECTS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PARTICIPATES IN THE HOOD RIVER FOREST COLLABORATIVE, WHICH IS A DIVERSE GROUP OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS FOCUSED ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOOD RIVER RANGER DISTRICT OF THE MT. HOOD NATIONAL FOREST.
  3. $24,217 spent. WATERSHED GROUP EDUCATION ACTIVITIES: THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS ON WATERSHED CONDITIONS; ASSISTING THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE WARM SPRINGS WITH THEIR SALMON DAYS EDUCATION PROGRAM; PARTNERING WITH OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT THE NATURAL HISTORY, ECOLOGY, AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF THE RIVERS AND TRIBUTARIES OF THE COLUMBIA GORGE; AND MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS AND ANNUAL REPORTS.
  4. WATER CONSERVATION: THE ORGANIATION WORKS WITH PARTNERS TO INCREASE SUMMER STREAM FLOWS FOR FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC LIFE. WORK INCLUDES CONVERTING OPEN IRRIGATION CANALS AND DITCHES TO
  5. MISSION STATEMENT:TO SUSTAIN AND IMPROVE THE HOOD RIVER WATERSHED THROUGH EDUCATION, COOPERATION, AND STEWARDSHIP, AND WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AGENCIES, TRIBAL NATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND LANDOWNERS, TO DEVELOP AND CARRY OUT VOLUNTARY WATERSHED PROTECTION, RESTORATION, ENHANCEMENT, AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, PRIMARILY WITHIN THE HOOD RIVER WATERSHED.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.