irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $914KGLOBAL CONFERENCE AND REGIONAL SUMMITS:GLOBAL CONFERENCE& REGIONAL SUMMITS CORRECTED LANGUAGE - REGIONAL MEETINGS AFFORD WATERKEEPER GROUPS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP REGIONAL ADVOCACY STRATEGIES, SHARE RESOURCES, AND CONTINUE CAPACITY BUILDING AND TECHNICAL LEARNING. A GLOBAL CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN SEPTEMBER 2024.
- #2 $588KPURE FARMS PURE WATERS CAMPAIGN: SEE SCHEDULE O.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Global Conference and Regional Summits
Facilitates regional advocacy strategy development, resource sharing, and technical learning among Waterkeeper groups; includes an annual global conference.
Nature-Based Shoreline Restoration
Restores riparian zones and shorelines using natural systems and native vegetation to improve ecosystem health and community access.
Pure Farms Pure Waters Campaign
Initiative focused on reducing agricultural runoff and improving water quality through sustainable farming practices.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Environmental Policy Advocacy & Litigation 4 activities
- Advocating for clean water policy reformAdvocates for full implementation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act, restoration of wetland protections, regulation of PFAS and CAFO discharges, and investment in public sewage infrastructure through congressional briefings, public campaigns, and legal engagement.
- Filing litigation to challenge harmful permits and pollutersFiles lawsuits against federal agencies and major polluters, including challenging the reissuance of Nationwide Permit 12 and suing Duke and Dominion Energy, resulting in the cleanup of millions of tons of coal ash and preventing unauthorized discharges into waterways.
- Helping pass environmental legislation and supporting legal clinicsHelped pass coal ash legislation in three states requiring safe waste encapsulation and supported the creation of the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic to train future leaders and expand access to environmental justice.
- Leading public mobilization campaigns on federal water policyOperates the Dive Into Democracy advocacy action series, publishing blogs and sending network emails to inform and mobilize the public on federal clean water policy issues.
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Energy Policy Advocacy & Research 2 activities
- Advancing environmental justice and equitable solutionsAdvocates for financial investment in restoration of pollution-impacted communities, particularly low-income, Black, and Indigenous communities, and promotes equitable offshore wind development that upholds Indigenous rights and community benefits.
- Advocating for clean energy transition and opposing false solutionsAdvocates for an immediate transition to clean and renewable energy, opposes fossil fuel extraction on public lands, and challenges false climate solutions such as factory farm biogas and hydropower due to methane emissions and ecological harm.
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Watershed Conservation & Stewardship 2 activities
- Conducting the Pure Farms Pure Waters campaignImplemented the Pure Farms Pure Waters campaign to reduce agricultural runoff and protect water quality in rural communities by addressing pollution from industrial farming practices.
- Securing investments for freshwater ecosystem restorationSecured over $150 million in funding for freshwater ecosystem revitalization in Western New York and conducts long-term ecological restoration projects, including planting, invasive species management, and monitoring, such as in the Scajaquada Creek system.
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Toxic Chemicals and Plastics Reform 1 activity
- Advocating for sustainable agriculture and plastic reductionAdvocates for ending industrial animal agriculture and transitioning to regenerative farming practices, while also pushing to end single-use plastics, halt new plastic production, and shift recycling costs to manufacturers.
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Community Environmental Monitoring and Research 1 activity
- Conducting research and publishing impact reportsConducts monitoring and research on water contamination, including PFAS near wastewater treatment plants, and publishes findings in reports such as the 2025 Impact Report and the Spanish-language PFAS Phase II Report to expand access and inform advocacy.
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SDG Advancement & Global Advocacy 1 activity
- Organizing global and regional gatherings for Waterkeeper groupsHeld a global conference in September 2024 and organized regional meetings to support Waterkeeper groups in developing advocacy strategies, sharing resources, and building technical capacity. These gatherings facilitate coordination and strengthen regional networks.
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Ocean Ecosystem Restoration & Research 1 activity
- Supporting local Waterkeeper groups in water protectionConnects and supports local Waterkeeper groups worldwide in patrolling waterways, organizing clean-ups, educating the public, and challenging polluters legally and publicly, collectively protecting over 6 million square miles of rivers, lakes, and coastlines across six continents.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Producing educational content through blogs and podcastsProduces a monthly blog series profiling Waterkeeper members and a monthly podcast series, "Equity In Every Drop," to amplify voices from the global Waterkeeper movement and discuss threats to water and solutions for environmental equity and justice.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$8.52M
Contributions & grants$8.14M96%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$143K2%
Other revenue$233K
expenses
Total expenses$7.32M
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$3.58M
Grants paid out$1.08M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.02M
Cash$643K
Investments$4.94M
Liabilities$2.30M
Net assets$4.71M
Liquid reserves9.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +32.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARC YAGGI | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $312K |
| DANIEL ESTRIN | GENERAL COUNSEL/LEGAL DIRECTOR | 40 | $254K |
| MARY BETH POSTMAN | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | 40 | $250K |
| RACHEL COOK | CHIEF FINANCE & OPERATIONS OFFICER | 40 | $206K |
| MICHAEL YERDON | DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR | 40 | $202K |
| LORI HARRISON | COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING DIRECTOR | 40 | $172K |
| KELLY HUNTER FOSTER | SENIOR ATTORNEY | 40 | $169K |
| JACQUELINE ESPOSITO | ADVOCACY DIRECTOR | 40 | $158K |
| BART MIHAILOVICH | WATERKEEPER MEMBERSHIP SERVICES DIRECTOR | 40 | $125K |
board members · 16
- BETSY NICHOLAS — DIRECTOR
- BRUCE REZNIK — SECRETARY
- BRUNO MONTEFERRI — DIRECTOR
- CHERYL NENN — DIRECTOR
- GLENN RINK — CHAIR
- GORDON BROWN — DIRECTOR
- KEMP BURDETTE — DIRECTOR
- KENT WEED — DIRECTOR
- KRISTEN MOORE — DIRECTOR
- LAURA REINSBOROUGH — DIRECTOR
- LAURA TURNER SEYDEL — DIRECTOR
- LESSING STERN — DIRECTOR
- SHARIF JAMIL — DIRECTOR
- THEO THOMAS — DIRECTOR
- TONYA BONITATIBUS — DIRECTOR
- XAVIER CORTADA — DIRECTOR
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- American University’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking Partner — Collaborates on the production of the documentary "Upstream, Downriver" featured in Waterkeeper content.
- Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Network — Local Waterkeeper group featured in organizational programming and podcast discussions.
- Center for Biological Diversity Partner — Co-plaintiff in a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over Nationwide Permit 12.
- Congress Government — Advocates for Congress to restore Clean Water Act protections for wetlands and other U.S. waters.
- Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic Partner — Collaborative institution co-launched to train environmental leaders and support legal advocacy in underserved communities.
- Environmental Protection Agency Government — Advocates for stronger EPA regulation and enforcement of water pollution standards under the Clean Water Act.
- Friends of the Earth U.S. Partner — Co-plaintiff in a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over Nationwide Permit 12.
- HSBC Partner — Corporate partner collaborating with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper on Great Lakes restoration efforts.
- HSBC Partner — Corporate partner providing financial support and employee volunteer engagement for nature-based shoreline restoration projects.
- Hispanic Access Foundation Partner — Collaborated with Waterkeeper Alliance to release a Spanish-language PFAS report and host a congressional briefing.
- Montana Environmental Information Center Partner — Co-plaintiff in a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over Nationwide Permit 12.
- North Carolina Wildlife Federation Partner — Early career organization where Dean Naujoks began his environmental advocacy work.
- Potomac Riverkeeper Network Partner — Local affiliate organization through which Dean Naujoks serves as Potomac Riverkeeper and conducts on-the-ground advocacy.
- Sierra Club Partner — Co-plaintiff in a lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over Nationwide Permit 12.
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Government — Defendant in a lawsuit filed by Waterkeeper Alliance over the reissuance of Nationwide Permit 12.
- U.S. Department of Defense Government — Agency whose budget and cleanup activities related to PFAS contamination are subject to advocacy and public pressure.
- U.S. Department of Transportation Government — Regulatory agency targeted in advocacy efforts regarding gas pipeline leak detection and repair rules.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Government — Advocacy target and regulatory body engaged through public comment campaigns and policy advocacy.
- U.S. Supreme Court Government — Criticizes the narrowing of Clean Water Act protections by the U.S. Supreme Court, particularly regarding wetlands and ephemeral streams.
- UN Government — Engages with the UN and UN-Water to advance Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water.
- Waterkeeper Groups Network — Network of local Waterkeeper organizations engaged in regional advocacy and technical learning through summits and conferences.
- Waterkeeper groups Network — Global network of Waterkeeper groups whose voices and perspectives are featured in the podcast.
- Waterkeeper groups Network — Unites hundreds of independent Waterkeeper groups as part of a global network to protect waterways.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Environmental Justice Through Inclusive Advocacymethodology: environmental_justiceBy centering low-income, Black, and Indigenous communities in decision-making and restoration efforts, the organization addresses systemic inequities in pollution exposure because inclusive advocacy ensures that the most impacted communities lead solutions.
- Integrated Advocacy Combining Monitoring, Education, and Legal Actionmethodology: integrated_advocacyBy integrating on-the-ground water monitoring, public education, and strategic litigation, the organization produces more durable environmental protection because legal actions are grounded in local data, public awareness increases pressure for compliance, and enforcement becomes more effective.
- Networked Local Advocacy with Centralized Supportmethodology: networked_local_advocacyBy combining decentralized, community-based Waterkeeper groups with centralized scientific, legal, and policy expertise, the organization strengthens clean water protection because local knowledge ensures relevance and legitimacy while institutional resources amplify impact and enforce compliance.
- River-Centered Decision-Making to Depoliticize Advocacymethodology: river_centered_decision_makingBy making advocacy and enforcement decisions based solely on the health of the river ecosystem, the organization produces more ecologically sound outcomes because it removes political and economic compromises from environmental protection decisions.
- Source-Based Prevention of Contaminationmethodology: source_control_advocacyBy advocating for source-control measures and class-wide regulation of pollutants like PFAS, the organization prevents widespread contamination because targeting pollution at its origin is more effective than managing dispersed downstream impacts.