Copper River Watershed Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Copper River Watershed Project promotes a salmon-rich, intact watershed to support culturally diverse communities by forming partnerships for watershed-scale planning and projects.
- Income
- $2.7 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 2.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 93%
- Employees
- 11
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $86,985, executive dir.
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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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, 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)
- $2.1 million spent. Our Fish Habitat program works to identify, monitor and restore salmon habitat throughout the Copper River drainage. In 2024 CRWP facilitated the replacement of three culverts on the Copper River highway outside Cordova. In addition, a fourth culvert was removed entirely. In total, completion the 4 projects reopened 1.1 stream miles and access to over 12 lake acres of salmon spawning and fish habitat. This work is accomplished by convening state and federal agency, community and Tribal partners whom together were able to identify salmon habitat data gaps, and key salmon habitat locations in need of restoration. By supporting and improving fish habitat, we support healthy salmon populations, culturally significant traditions, and all the salmon economies associated with this important natural resource.
- $192,037 spent. In 2024, CRWP's Invasive Plant Program focused on training, identification, and treatment of invasive species threatening habitats in the Copper River watershed and across Alaska through community engagement and partnerships. We involved 60 volunteers and 7 agencies in the manual treatment and survey of the acreage for future control. CRWP also awarded grants to nine organizations in Southcentral and Southeastern Alaska to manage invasive plants on their lands. Additionally, we conducted native plant revegetation at the 2023 Little Tonsina habitat restoration site. The Copper River watershed has a real opportunity for the eradication of certain noxious weeds and protect salmon habitat prior to the need for large-scale intervention and restoration.
- $26,891 spent. Community Tourism: As part of The Organization's mission, they work with local government and business partners to attract small scale independent travelers to the region to help build a sustainable tourism economy. The Organization facilitates organizing the Salmon Jam Festival, a destination weekend event that draws visitors to Cordova from Anchorage and Fairbanks. With post-pandemic innovation, tourism in Cordova is being geared to environmentally-conscious approaches to having visitors engage in the community and wild spaces.
- $21,905 spent. Watershed Education: CRWP offers outdoor, standards-based watershed education for K-12 grade students. The Organization supports a salmon rearing tank and a spring salmon fry release field trip for every school in the Copper River watershed, which engaged 100 3rd - 5th-grade students in 2024. In partnership with federal agencies and other nonprofits, the Organization organized and hosted a leadership-building, field-based fellowship program for 10 local high school students. A ladder approach that highlights stewardship and connection to place has been designed to introduce students to outdoor education opportunities at multiple points over their K-12 school experience.
- $1,989 spent. Recycling: As part of The Organization's mission, they work to promote recycling throughout the Copper River area. The Organization strives to maintain sustainable practices within its own operations and encourages community members to do the same. The Organization has a focus on fish net recycling within Cordova, reducing marine debris and waste ending up in the landfill. As a ROAR partner, we help facilitate recycling and on-site cleanup of recycling containers in the Copper basin.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.