FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER

EIN: 452927355 501(c)(3) Philanthropy & Grantmaking

COTTONWOOD, AZ

Total Revenue
$1,739,655
Total Expenses
$1,957,727
Total Assets
$916,682
Net Assets
$664,758
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2012
Legal Domicile
AZ
Principal Officer
DAVID GRESSLY
Phone
9286416013
Tax Period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER, founded in 2012, is a community nonprofit in the Philanthropy & Grantmaking sector that reported $1.7M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue decreased 11% compared to the prior year. Expenses of $2.0M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 13% operating deficit.

Mission

TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY FOR A HEALTHY FLOWING VERDE RIVER SYSTEM.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $1,005,428

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES SUSTAINING FLOWS. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER ADVANCED WATER CONSERVATION AND REUSE INITIATIVES TO SUSTAIN RIVER FLOWS ACROSS THE VERDE VALLEY. IN FY25, THE...

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES SUSTAINING FLOWS. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER ADVANCED WATER CONSERVATION AND REUSE INITIATIVES TO SUSTAIN RIVER FLOWS ACROSS THE VERDE VALLEY. IN FY25, THE ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED WASTEWATER REUSE PLANNING PROJECTS WITH LOCAL LANDOWNERS, INCLUDING A MAJOR COLLABORATION WITH PAGE SPRINGS VINEYARDS THAT IS PROJECTED TO SAVE 1 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER PER YEAR. THROUGH THE RIVER FRIENDLY LIVING PROGRAM, FRIENDS AWARDED 45 SMALL GRANTS TO HOMEOWNERS, BUSINESSES, AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, SUPPORTING PROJECTS SUCH AS IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY UPGRADES, RAINWATER HARVESTING, AND FIXTURE REPLACEMENTSTOGETHER ESTIMATED TO SAVE APPROXIMATELY 81 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER ANNUALLY. THE NEW VERDE WATERSHED FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH PROJECT ENGAGED STUDENTS AS SCIENTISTS, COLLECTING AND ANALYZING DATA ON LOCAL RIVER HEALTH AND BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION LEADERS.THIS PROGRAM HAD EXPENSES OF 909,828 AND GRANTS PAID TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF 95,600 DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

Program 2
Expenses: $367,983

ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER AND ITS VERDE WATERSHED RESTORATION COALITION PARTNERS ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT RESTORATION MILESTONES IN FY25...

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ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, AND WILDLIFE HABITAT RESTORATION. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER AND ITS VERDE WATERSHED RESTORATION COALITION PARTNERS ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT RESTORATION MILESTONES IN FY25, INCLUDING THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE PLANTS ALONG NEARLY 17 MILES OF FOSSIL CREEK,A FEDERALLY DESIGNATED WILD AND SCENIC RIVER. FVR FUNDED CREWS FROM ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS, VERDE EARTH TECHNOLOGIES, AND WILD AZ ALSO REMOVED GIANT REED, TAMARISK, AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES THROUGHOUT THE VERDE RIVER GREENWAY AND WILD AND SCENIC SECTIONS OF THE LOWER VERDE. IN UPLAND AREAS, FRIENDS IMPLEMENTED LOW-TECH PROCESS-BASED RESTORATION PROJECTS IN STRINGTOWN WASH AND PINE CREEK TO SLOW WATER FLOW, IMPROVE GROUNDWATER RECHARGE, AND RESTORE NATURAL CHANNEL PROCESSES. THESE EFFORTS STRENGTHENED HABITAT, REDUCED WILDFIRE RISK, AND ENHANCED ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED. FRIENDS OF THE VERDE RIVER ALSO RECEIVED TWO ARIZONA FORWARD AWARDS FOR ITS RESTORATION WORK AT FOSSIL CREEK.THIS PROGRAM HAD EXPENSES OF 356,983 AND GRANTS PAID TO INDIVIDUALS OF 11,000 DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

Program 3
Expenses: $228,450

NATURE PARKS AND OTHER SIMILAR PROMOTING COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP. COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONTINUED TO EXPAND IN FY25. THE VERDE WATER WATCHERS MONITORED 26 SITES, COLLECTING 263 WATER...

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NATURE PARKS AND OTHER SIMILAR PROMOTING COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP. COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS CONTINUED TO EXPAND IN FY25. THE VERDE WATER WATCHERS MONITORED 26 SITES, COLLECTING 263 WATER SAMPLES AND CONTRIBUTING 257 VOLUNTEER HOURS TO IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO WATER QUALITY ISSUES. THE FIFTH ANNUAL VERDE BIOBLITZ ENGAGED 502 STUDENTS FROM 18 CLASSES ACROSS EIGHT SCHOOLS, GENERATING 6,820 OBSERVATIONS OF LOCAL BIODIVERSITY. THE 25TH VERDE VALLEY BIRDING & NATURE FESTIVAL CELEBRATED A QUARTER-CENTURY OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WITH RECORD ATTENDANCE, EXPANDED VENDORS, AND ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. FRIENDS HOSTED ECOFLIGHTS TO PROVIDE PARTNERS AND DONORS WITH AERIAL VIEWS OF RESTORATION WORK, AND THE FIESTA DE LA GARZA AND RIVER CHAMPIONS EVENTS HONORED OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND VOLUNTEERS. TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS CONNECTED PEOPLE, SCIENCE, AND STEWARDSHIP TO PROTECT A HEALTHY, FLOWING VERDE RIVER FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.THIS PROGRAM HAD EXPENSES OF 225,450 AND GRANTS PAID TO INDIVIDUALS OF 3,000 DURING THE FISCAL YEAR.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $1,715,235
Program Service Revenue $20,560
Investment Income $1,054
Other Revenue $2,806
TOTAL REVENUE $1,739,655

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $109,600
Salaries & Benefits $787,044
Fundraising Expenses $35,265
Program Expenses $1,601,861
Other Expenses $1,061,083
TOTAL EXPENSES $1,957,727

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $1,739,655 $1,965,645 -0.1%
Expenses $1,957,727 $1,718,060 +0.1%
Net Income $-218,072 $247,585 -1.9%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
9
Independent Members
9
Employees
13
Volunteers
282

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
5
$104,000
Total Directors
9
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
DAVID GRESSLY EXECUTIVE DI 40.00
Officer
$104,000 $0 $104,000
JEANNE SWARTHOUT PRESIDENT 3.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
LINDA STITZER VICE PRESIDE 3.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
EMILY SNELLING DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DANA WALSH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JENNIFER DIFFLEY TREASURER 3.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
RICHARD LYNCH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BLYTHE NEWELL SECRETARY 3.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
KAL MANNIS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARIE YAMADA-LOW DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $1,739,655 $1,957,727 $916,682 $-218,072
2024 $1,521,371 $1,723,906 $1,051,926 $-202,535
2024 $1,965,645 $1,718,060 $1,051,925 $247,585
2023 $1,871,892 $1,675,709 $835,693 $196,183
2022 $1,436,181 $1,277,444 $549,763 $158,737
2021 $1,262,772 $1,238,468 $666,908 $24,304
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