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Skagit Watershed Council

EIN 91-1931237 · Mount Vernon, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO UNDERSTAND, PROTECT AND RESTORE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES. DESIGNATED LEAD ENTITY UNDER WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATION ESHB 2496, A SALMON RECOVERY PLANNING ACT, FOR THE SKAGIT AND SAMISH WATERSHEDS

Income
$363,757
Spending
$380,310
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
6.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
6
Volunteers
47
Highest pay
$103,647, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    6 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 June 30, 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)
  1. $126,536 spent. HABITAT STRATEGIES - COMPLETED A 5 YEAR STRATEGY FOR ALL PROGRAMS. WE COMPLETED ANOTHER HABITAT PROJECT GRANT ROUND THAT RECOMMENDED A FUNDING PACKAGE TO THE STATE OF WASHINGTON FOR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PROJECTS, AS WELL AS LAUNCHED A NEW GRANT ROUND.
  2. $75,921 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - THE COUNCILS MEMBERSHIP REMAINED AT 45 MEMBERS REPRESENTING THE WATERSHEDS COMMUNITIES. THE COUNCIL HAS MOVED FORWARD MANY ACTIONS FROM OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FRAMEWORK AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, SUCH AS NEW SOCIAL MEDIA INITIATIVES, IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SO OUR MEMBERS CAN BETTER PARTNER FOR K-12 STEAM EDUCATION, THE ILLUMINATE SKAGIT PROGRAM, AND STORY MAPS.
  3. $50,615 spent. RIPARIAN PLANNING THE COUNCIL HAS HAD A MAJOR FOCUS ON GROWING THE WATERSHEDS FOCUS ON PLANTING AND MAINTAINING STREAMSIDE VEGETATION. THE COUNCIL MAINTAINS A RIPARIAN WORKING GROUP, EMAIL LISTSERVE, NORTH SOUND RIPARIAN CONFERENCE, RIPARIAN ACTIONS GEODATABASE, ANNUAL REPORTING, TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT, AND ACCESS TO FUNDING. WEVE ALSO BEEN WORKING WITH STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES ON IMPROVING INCENTIVE PROGRAMS FOR EXPANDING VOLUNTARY LANDOWNER PARTICIPATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 January 1999.

    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.

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