American Rivers
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
American Rivers does not meet the following 2 Standards for Charity Accountability:
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.
AR does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2026 budget information, it indicated that the budget:
- Did not identify total projected program service expenses in each major program area (restore damaged rivers and waters, mobilize river and water improvement, and protect healthy rivers".
- Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
- Did not identify total projected administrative 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.
Although AR did produce an annual report for the year ended June 30, 2025, the report did not include:
- 2024 financial information.
- A roster of the board of directors.
American Rivers meets the remaining 18 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature."
Year, State Incorporated:
1974, DC
American Rivers (AR) works to make rivers clean and healthy for people and wildlife across the United States. The organization reports that it engages with state and federal agencies, and mobilizes support through its American River Action Fund, to advance and implement policies that protect and restore rivers, ensure clean water, mitigate flooding, and modernize and improve licensing of hydropower dams operations. Through AR's direct programs, it removes dams, replaces culverts, and restores floodplains to improve river water quality, help control soil erosion and flood waters, and provide healthy ecosystems for fish and wildlife. In addition, the organization states it works in cities and suburban areas to connect these communities to their local rivers and to safeguard urban water ways.
For the year ended June 30, 2025, American Rivers's program expenses were:
| Restore damaged rivers and waters | $28,009,800 |
| Mobilize river and water movement | $2,406,556 |
| Protect healthy rivers | $1,512,806 |
| Total Program Expenses | $31,929,162 |
Chief Executive
Thomas Kiernan, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$440,478
Chair of the Board
Jo-Ellen Darcy
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Former US Assistant Secretary, Army for Civil Works
Board Size
25
Paid Staff Size
121
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Membership appeals, Workplace Giving
Fundraising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $51,789,881, 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 American Rivers's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025.
Source of Funds
| Foundation grants | $17,227,243 |
| State and local grants | $11,519,484 |
| Contributions | $11,098,115 |
| Federal grants | $9,861,423 |
| Membership | $1,593,867 |
| Other income | $841,717 |
| Investment income, net | $655,147 |
| Program service contracts | $536,454 |
| Corporate donations | $489,749 |
| Total Income | $53,823,199 |
Programs: 77% Fundraising: 13% Administrative: 10%
| Total Income | $53,823,199 |
| Total expenses: | $41,454,935 |
| Program expenses | $31,929,162 |
| Fundraising expenses | $5,503,149 |
| Administrative expenses | $4,022,624 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $12,368,264 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $20,088,773 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $-110,310 |
| Ending Net Assets | $32,346,727 |
| Total Liabilities | $7,728,682 |
| Total Assets | $40,075,409 |
Note: In the above finanical section, "other changes in net assets" represents change in value of charitable gifts annuities (-$7,943) and effect of deconsolidation of American Rivers Action Fund (-$102,367).
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance