Catskill Watershed Corporation
Catskill Watershed Corporation consistently manages substantial assets and liabilities with balanced revenues and expenses, reporting no officer compensation.
EIN: 141798021 · Arkville, NY · NTEE: C320 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Catskill Watershed Corporation Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Catskill Watershed Corporation directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Catskill Watershed Corporation
Catskill Watershed Corporation (EIN: 141798021) is a nonprofit organization based in Arkville, NY, classified under NTEE code C320. The organization reported total revenue of $25.8M and total assets of $184.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Catskill Watershed Corporation's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Catskill Watershed Corporation is a large nonprofit that has been operating for 28 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 8.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $31.9M |
| Total Expenses | $30.1M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$1.8M |
| Total Assets | $185.3M |
| Total Liabilities | $173.9M |
| Net Assets | $11.3M |
| Operating Margin | 5.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 93.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 73.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Catskill Watershed Corporation reported a surplus of $1.8M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 73.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 93.9% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Catskill Watershed Corporation's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +26.2% | +18.2% | -4.7% |
| 2022 | +37.9% | +39.8% | +16.4% |
| 2021 | -44.4% | -42.4% | +15.8% |
| 2020 | +156.5% | +196.1% | -5.0% |
| 2019 | +20.0% | -1.6% | +15.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1998 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Catskill Watershed Corporation with a Mission Score of 85 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Catskill Watershed Corporation allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $1.8M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 93.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The Catskill Watershed Corporation consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available IRS 990 filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with assets exceeding $185 million and annual revenues over $30 million. This suggests either an entirely volunteer executive leadership, compensation structured in a way not reported as officer compensation, or that the organization's operational model does not involve traditional compensated officers.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Catskill Watershed Corporation's IRS 990 filings:
- Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, which warrants further investigation into executive compensation structures.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Catskill Watershed Corporation:
- Consistent revenue generation and expense management, with revenues generally exceeding or matching expenses.
- Substantial and growing asset base, indicating long-term financial capacity (e.g., $185,257,529 in 2023).
- Strong financial transparency regarding officer compensation, even if the 0% figure is unusual, it is consistently reported.
- Stable financial operations over a decade, demonstrating resilience and consistent activity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Catskill Watershed Corporation
Is Catskill Watershed Corporation a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Catskill Watershed Corporation (EIN: 141798021) some concerns. Mission Score: 85/100. 1 red flag identified, 4 strengths noted.
How does Catskill Watershed Corporation spend its money?
Catskill Watershed Corporation directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Catskill Watershed Corporation tax-deductible?
Catskill Watershed Corporation is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 141798021). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How does Catskill Watershed Corporation manage to report 0% officer compensation given its scale?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation on all 990 filings for an organization with over $185 million in assets and $30 million in annual revenue is highly unusual. It suggests that executive leadership may be entirely volunteer, compensated through a related entity, or that the organization's structure does not include compensated officers in the traditional sense reported on the 990.
What is the nature of the large liabilities consistently reported by CWC?
The organization consistently reports liabilities that are very close to its total assets (e.g., $173,928,221 liabilities against $185,257,529 assets in 2023). This structure is common for organizations managing large grants, restricted funds, or long-term project obligations, where funds are received but earmarked for future expenditures or held in trust.
Is the Catskill Watershed Corporation financially stable?
Yes, the Catskill Watershed Corporation appears financially stable. Its revenues generally cover its expenses, and it maintains a substantial and growing asset base, increasing from $112,802,078 in 2014 to $185,257,529 in 2023. While liabilities are high, this is often characteristic of organizations managing large-scale, long-term projects.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Catskill Watershed Corporation showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Catskill Watershed Corporation's revenue has grown by 177.8%, moving from $11.5M to $31.9M. Total assets increased by 58.3% over the same period, from $117.0M to $185.3M. Total functional expenses rose by 88.3%, from $16.0M to $30.1M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Catskill Watershed Corporation reported a surplus of $1.8M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $173.9M in liabilities against $185.3M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 93.9%), resulting in net assets of $11.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $31.9M | $30.1M | $185.3M | $173.9M | — | — |
| 2022 | $25.3M | $25.5M | $194.3M | $185.6M | — | — |
| 2021 | $18.4M | $18.2M | $166.9M | $156.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $33.0M | $31.6M | $144.1M | $134.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $12.9M | $10.7M | $151.7M | $143.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $10.7M | $10.9M | $131.9M | $125.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $9.2M | $8.8M | $132.1M | $125.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $12.3M | $13.2M | $108.8M | $102.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $17.1M | $16.5M | $113.1M | $105.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $11.0M | $9.9M | $112.8M | $106.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $12.9M | $12.6M | $115.6M | $109.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $13.8M | $14.1M | $112.3M | $106.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $11.5M | $16.0M | $117.0M | $111.0M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $31.9M, expenses of $30.1M, and assets of $185.3M (revenue +26.2% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $25.3M, expenses of $25.5M, and assets of $194.3M (revenue +37.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $18.4M, expenses of $18.2M, and assets of $166.9M (revenue -44.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $33.0M, expenses of $31.6M, and assets of $144.1M (revenue +156.5% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $12.9M, expenses of $10.7M, and assets of $151.7M (revenue +20.0% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $10.7M, expenses of $10.9M, and assets of $131.9M (revenue +16.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $9.2M, expenses of $8.8M, and assets of $132.1M (revenue -25.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $12.3M, expenses of $13.2M, and assets of $108.8M (revenue -28.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $17.1M, expenses of $16.5M, and assets of $113.1M (revenue +55.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $11.0M, expenses of $9.9M, and assets of $112.8M (revenue -14.7% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $12.9M, expenses of $12.6M, and assets of $115.6M (revenue -6.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $13.8M, expenses of $14.1M, and assets of $112.3M (revenue +19.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $11.5M, expenses of $16.0M, and assets of $117.0M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Catskill Watershed Corporation is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.