Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group is to promote recovery of self sustaining, naturally spawning salmonid populations and healthy aquatic ecosystems. We do this by restoring river and stream habitat, providing nutrients for juvenile fish growth, and engaging the community in hands-on salmon stewardship and education.
- Income
- $3.5 million
- Spending
- $3.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 97%
- Reserves
- 0.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 99%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 47
- Highest pay
- $87,360, executive dir.
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
Weak: 32 out of 100.
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 70% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1597% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 85 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
0 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 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 (2)
- $3.4 million spent. Restoration Program: LCFEG works to restore and protect healthy aquatic ecosystems for salmon through a range of integrated programs. This includes prioritizing projects and developing long-term implementation plans, improving instream and floodplain conditions across the southwest Washington's rivers and streams, and enhancing riparian areas through native plantings and our nursery program. We also conduct nutrient enhancement work to restore ecosystem health and function by returning marine-derived nutrients to local watersheds, and monitor program outcomes through stream surveys, temperature data collection, and project-specific assessments
- $25,465 spent. Community Engagement: LCFEG engages and informs our community through a range of outreach and education efforts, including tabling at events, presentations to community groups, landowner outreach, partner meetings, and recovery advocacy with elected officials and site tours. Central to this work is our Seeds to Salmon program, which cultivates the next generation of conservation leaders through hands-on outdoor experiences that connect students to the full plant-to-salmon ecological cycle. Participating teachers can choose from more than 20 season-specific prepared lessons each school year, bringing salmon recovery into the classroom in a meaningful and accessible way.
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
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 May 1991.
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.