Western Rivers Conservancy

What it reported doing in 2024

Western rivers conservancy (wrc) is the only organization that focuses solely on protecting outstanding rivers and streams across the west through land acquisition. By purchasing riverlands with high conservation values, wrc creates sanctuaries for imperiled fish and wildlife, buffering the impacts of water use, logging, mining and other development. Wrc's projects improve habitat connectivity in some of the west's most biologically important regions. Our projects also enhance recreational opportunities for people by opening access to extensive reaches of our most treasured western streams. Continued on schedule o. Founded in 1988 and incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) in 2001, wrc uses a market-based approach of buying riverlands from corporate and individual willing sellers. We bring to bear creative real estate techniques and unique approaches to conservation finance and get maximum leverage from private capital and community partnerships. Wrc is headquartered in portland, Oregon, has twenty-three staff members and is governed by a thirteen-member board of directors. We work across the eleven western states to ensure a future of healthy rivers, where fish and wildlife can thrive and people can enjoy the benefits and beauty of clean, functioning streams.in fiscal year 2025, wrc had 32 active projects in eight states. Wrc permanently protected 2,551 acres of land along 11 of the finest rivers and streams in Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho and Montana. In addition, wrc purchased 3,059 acres along 10 western rivers and streams. Wrc held an additional 9,372 acres along 17 rivers and streams and worked to place these lands into permanent protective stewardship. At the end of fy25, wrc had agreements in place to conserve 59,631 acres of land in future years.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 85.4%; rating input score 85
• Program expense ratio: 81.9%; rating input score 82
• Fundraising efficiency: $8.43 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 99.9%; rating input score 100; 38th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 92.3%; rating input score 92; 25th 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: 2.8%; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.89; rating input score 84; 84th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.31; rating input score 45; 45th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 14.8%; rating input score 8; 8th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 9.6% per year; rating input score 100; 69th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.7% per year; rating input score 100; 57th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 3.4% per year; rating input score 100; 25th percentile among comparable filings