Waterkeeper Alliance Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

All other programs: the remainder of our programs includes promoting the waterkeeper method of advocacy and issues of common concern to waterkeeper groups through digital communications, print publications, and other media; licensing new waterkeeper groups; protecting the trademarked waterkeeper family of names; advocating for stronger environmental regulations, including legislation such as the clean water restoration act; and utilizing events and public outreach campaigns to increase awareness for the waterkeeper movement, threats to clean water, and healthy ecosystems via our clean water defense campaign. A significant area of advocacy is waterkeeper alliance's climate and safe energy campaign. The campaign's focus is to combat the global climate crisis and advocate for a no-carbon future. Waterkeeper alliance engages in local, national, and international efforts built around legal advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and aggressive media attention and public education toward a no-carbon future that utilizes clean and safe energy.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 68.3%; rating input score 68
• Program expense ratio: 78.5%; rating input score 78
• Fundraising efficiency: $9.23 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 94.7%; rating input score 95; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: 1 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 12
  • Claims monitoring procedures: Pass
  • Requires narrative reports: Fail
  • Conducts field audits: Fail
  • May suspend future funding: Fail
  • Requires financial reports: Fail
  • Conducts site visits: Fail
  • Requires grant agreements: Fail
  • May require repayment: Fail
• Grant itemization coverage: 97.2%; rating input score 97; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 14%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.96; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.33; rating input score 32; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 25.2%; rating input score 8; 8th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -14.4% per year; rating input score 0; 2nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -12.4% per year; rating input score 0; 1st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 8.3% per year; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings