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Smith River Alliance Inc

EIN 94-2650838 · Crescent City, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Smith River Alliance is to provide for the long-term protection,restoration and stewardship of natural resources in the Smith River watershed.

Income
$6.2 million
Spending
$5.9 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
14
Volunteers
162
Highest pay
$131,828, co-executive di

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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. $4.4 million spent. Smith River Restoration Projects: SRA works with landowners on the Smith CoastalPlain, Elk Creek and East Fork Mill Creek to identify and advance opportunities toimprove and restore ecosystem function and habitat for the viability of the SmithRiver salmonids. SRA is implementing restoration plans supported by recent salmonidmonitoring data, historic and present-day aerial imagery, fish passage data,topographic information, and landowner and stakeholder engagement to identify andprioritize potential restoration projects. We have several projects that are ongoing.
  2. $791,799 spent. SRNRA Protection and Stewardship: SRA is a leader in the campaign to expand permanent protections for the headwaters of the Smith in OR. The Smith River is one of the crown jewels of the National Wild and Scenic River System with over 300 miles of the Smith are included in the National Wild and Scenic River System, created to protect outstandingly remarkable scenic,recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, for preservation in a free-flowing condition. Rock Creek Ranch is located on a sweeping bend of the South Fork of the Smith River, this is the home base of SRA where the seasons are felt and facilities are available to support SRA programs and visitors. The facility hosts visitors seasonally, including the Annual Adult Fish Count at the ranch. SRA operates a coastal clean-up program which attracts a significant number of volunteers dedicated to cleaning our beaches. SRA continued work with the Smith River NRA Collaborative, a joint venture between the Six Rivers National Forest, Elk Valley Rancheria, the Tolowa Dee-ni Nation, Del Norte County, Del Norte Fire Safe Council, local and regional groups. These partners advance forest and aquatic restoration and management on the Smith River NRA.
  3. $178,433 spent. Coastal Programs: Phase III of the Pacific Shores Preacquisition Feasibility Study is underway which will acquire properties from willing sellers in the Pacific Shoressubdivision in Del Norte County. Pacific Shores is a 1,535-lot subdivision,undeveloped and sold in the 1960s. The subdivision lies adjacent to Lakes Earl andTolowa, four miles north of Crescent City, in the Smith River plain. In additionthe program works to provide public access to and clean-ups of the coast.

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

  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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1980.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.