Illinois River Watershed Partnership does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
IRWP does not meet this Standard because:
- The board did not produce a written report outlining the results of its May 2021 effectiveness assessment.
Standard 11 (Financial Statements)
Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $500,000, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $500,000, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.
IRWP does not meet this Standard because:
- Although the organization received total income in the amount of $1,135,308 for the year ended December 31, 2019, IRWP reports that it does not have audited financial statements.
Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.
IRWP does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2021 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
IRWP does not meet this Standard because the 2020 annual report did not include:
- Total income.
- Total program service expenses.
- Total administrative expenses.
- Total fundraising expenses.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
IRWP does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, https://www.irwp.org, does not:
- Provide access to a privacy policy.
Illinois River Watershed Partnership meets the remaining 15 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP) reports that it works to improve the Illinois River Watershed through public education, outreach, and implementation of conservation and restoration practices. The organization seeks to create a fully functioning ecosystem, where ecological protection, conservation, and economically productive uses support diverse aquatic communities, promote economic sustainability, and provide recreational opportunities. IRWP's programs and initiatives include riparian restoration, septic tank remediation, water quality monitoring, and stormwater-friendly practices. The organization also partners with corporations, civic organizations, and schools in growing conservation projects with native plants and grasses.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Illinois River Watershed Partnership's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$341,019 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$341,019 |
*2021 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Leif Kindberg assumed the position of Executive Director in July 2021. His compensation is not available at this time. In 2019, Nicole Hardiman, PhD served as IRWP's Executive Director, receiving $71,094 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet
Fundraising costs were less than 1% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,087,500 are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Illinois River Watershed Partnership's Unaudited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Grants |
$902,839 |
| Sponsorships |
$161,650 |
| Other revenue |
$47,808 |
| In-kind contributions |
$22,220 |
| Contributions |
$791 |
| Total Income |
$1,135,308 |
- Programs: 75%
- Administrative: 25%
- Fundraising: Less than 1%
| Total Income |
$1,135,308 |
| Program expenses |
$341,019 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$943 |
| Administrative expenses |
$117,219 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$459,181 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$676,127 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$3,993,842 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$4,669,969 |
| Total Liabilities |
$21,326 |
| Total Assets |
$4,691,295 |
Note: According to IRWP's accountant's review for the year ended December 31, 2019, the organization received $22,220 in contributed goods and services.