Methow Valley Citizens Council
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Methow Valley Citizens Council is to raise a strong community voice for the protection of the Methow Valleys natural environment and rural character.
- Income
- $607,555
- Spending
- $570,487
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 2.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $75,178, executive director until 1025
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 65 out of 100.
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, 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 (4)
- $139,362 spent. Air: The Clean Air Methow program has tremendous value in monitoring air quality through 32 Purple Air sensors, reducing PM2.5 particulates in the air through our wood smoke reduction program in partnership with WA Department of Ecology replacing old, uncertified wood stoves and replacing them with cleaner burning devices and through a far reaching educational program helping residents become Smoke Ready and protect their indoor air quality in time of smoke incursions.
- $87,148 spent. Water: MVCC is committed to protecting the Methow Valleys waterways from pollution and overdevelopment. We advocate ensuring there is enough clean, cold, clear water for fish, animals, and people throughout the year. We continue to work with Okanogan County to uphold the Methow Rule and collaborate with the Department of Ecology and the Methow Watershed Council. Additionally, we collaborate with the Okanogan Conservation District to advance drought planning.
- $80,444 spent. Land Use: MVCCs early work on land use planning set the stage for the Methow Valleys low-density development and considerable open space. In 2025, MVCC continued to engage members, volunteers, and the community at-large in land use planning from Okanogan Countys regulatory framework to state and federal policies affecting our public lands, engaging in efforts to improve Okanogan Countys comprehensive plan and working to improve forestry and management on national forest lands.
- $71,373 spent. Wildlife: MVCC continued its work to protect wildlife, in particular engaging the community in bear-awareness strategies anchored in preventing human-bear conflicts such as through electric fencing. MVCC also participates in coalitions to coordinate co-existence outreach regarding anticipated grizzly reintroduction in the North Cascades ecosystem.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, 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 March 2026.
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 April 1994.
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.