Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
|
Total |
0 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 620,531 | 400,059 | 654,541 | 557,544 | 888,213 | 3,120,888 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf .... | 0 | |||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | 0 | |||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 620,531 | 400,059 | 654,541 | 557,544 | 888,213 | 3,120,888 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) .. | 1,381,308 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 1,739,580 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 620,531 | 400,059 | 654,541 | 557,544 | 888,213 | 3,120,888 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 3,147 | 4,035 | 19,475 | 6,650 | 16,089 | 49,396 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 3,170,284 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | 0 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included on line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2023 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2023 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2023: | ||||
| a From 2018....... | ||||
| b From 2019....... | ||||
| c From 2020....... | ||||
| d From 2021....... | ||||
| e From 2022....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2018 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2023 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2023, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2023. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2024. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | 23017509 |
| Software Version: |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Pt VI, Line 11b | The 990 draft was emailed to all board members for review. Each was requested to respond within the comment period with either an approval or with additions/revisions. Responses were then summarized and any changes forwarded to the tax return preparer for inclusion in the final version of the return. |
| Pt VI, Line 12c | Each board member and member of a committee with governing board-delegated powers annually signs a statement which affirms that the person: a. Has received a copy of the conflict of interest policy; b. Has read and understands the policy; c. Has agreed to comply with the policy; and d. Understands the Organization is a charitable one and, in order to maintain its federal tax exemption, it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes. In addition, every time the board discusses whether or not to accept a new case,the board members must disclose any interests that might give rise to a conflict. |
| Pt VI, Line 15a | During 2023 there were five attorneys who worked for Great Rivers. Bruce Morrison was general counsel. The other four were staff attorneys. The board members compare the salaries of the attorneys annually to similar positions in the St. Louis area and confirm that the attorneys chose to have lower salaries than the going rate for attorneys with their experience in small firms and with a specialized practice of environmental protection so more funds can be used for the program. |
| Pt VII, Col (F) | Great Rivers makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, audited financial statements, and 990s available to the public upon request. The audited statements and 990s are on its website. The 990s and other information can also be found on the Candid (formerly Guidestar) website. |
| Other | Pt.VII - line 1 - Officer of the Organization - Bruce Morrison, the President, was an officer of the Organization and also an employee. Missouri law allows employees to be officers of a not-for-profit organization. He is not paid for his officer duties nor is he a board member. |
| Pt VI, Line 15b | See the description above for Pt. VI, Line 15a |
| Other | Pt. XII, line 2a and 2c - The executive committee is responsible for monitoring the accounting processes and selecting who provides the accounting and auditing for the organization. The organization obtains an audit every other year. In the off years our CPA provides preparation engagement statements which are comparable to compiled statements. She completes a thorough review of the accounting transactions each year and consults with staff during the year about accounting and other business issues. She prepares our 990s. |
| Other | Pt. VIII, line 8c - On occasion there is a loss (fair market value of tickets and event revenue other than contributions less the total costs) on line 8 due to several reasons. Expenses for postage and printing of invitations and programs, costs of awards given, and other expenses are not part of the FMV of the ticket price so become expenses not offset by revenue on line 8 (after deducting the contribution portions.) Another reason is that its sometimes difficult to determine the FMV of a ticket. If the contributions from the event on line 1c of Pt. VIII are included with event revenue on line 8, the sponsorships, general contributions, and ticket prices in excess of FMV more than make up for the loss. |
| Other | Pt. III, line 4a - Statement of Program Accomplishments - I. CLIMATE AND ENERGY PROGRAM - Great Rivers works to address climate change by decreasing carbon emissions and encouraging cleaner energy. In 2023 Missouris electricity was among the most coal-intensive in the country, at 59%. Missouri ranks fourth, behind West Virginia, Wyoming, and Kentucky, for the highest share of in-state electricity net generation from coal. Almost no coal is mined (or oil or gas drilled) in Missouri, and we have good wind and solar potential. Our utilities coal-burning power plants are old and lack up-to-date pollution controls, which keeps them relatively cheap at the expense of the publics health and a stable climate. Great Rivers appears regularly before the Missouri Public Service Commission, the states utility regulator. Where environmental voices were never heard before, we represent traditional environmental advocates like Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council along with front-line social justice organizations like the Missouri NAACP, Dutchtown South Community Corporation, Homes for All, and Metropolitan Congregations United. Together, we advocate for more energy efficiency programs, more wind and solar generation, and for electrification of transportation. In 2023, we were before the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) on a variety of matters, pressing Missouris investor-owned utilities for change. These matters included: Advocating for early retirement of Amerens coal-fired power plants and increase reliance on solar and wind sources of energy generation in Amerens triennial IRP (PSC file No. EO-2024-0020); Advocating that Amerens efficiency plan be required to achieve higher energy savings comparable to what other utilities have been able to achieve (PSC file No.EO-2023-0136); and Advocating for wind energy transmission in Missouri in the Grain Belt Express matter (PSC file No. EA-2023-0017). We also represented homeowners living in a subdivision outside of Kansas City that applied to their homeowners association to install solar panels on their home rooftops, but their applications were denied because they planned to utilize street-facing rooftops as part of their solar array. II. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PROGRAM - Great Rivers is committed to monitoring permitting actions that will unfairly burden minority, low-income communities. On behalf of clients across the State, Great Rivers evaluates proposed pollution sources to determine whether government authorities have unfairly targeted disadvantaged populations. Matters include those involving air pollution, solid and hazardous waste, safe drinking water, energy, and lead poisoning. In 2023, Food Scarcity - We continued to provide legal services to North St. Louis urban black farming organizations. Hyde Park - For Hyde Park Neighborhood Association (HPNA) we continued to represent the Association in a nuisance lawsuit brought to rectify the environmental nuisance brought to the neighborhood by 11 industrial properties affiliated with Shreves Automotive Plant. Coldwater Creek - We continued to help the St. Louis County NAACP execute its advocacy plan concerning radiation surrounding Coldwater Creek in north St. Louis County. NAACP Collaboration - Great Rivers continued to collaborate with the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, the NAACPs national office, and Missouri NAACP local branches on environmental justice matters, and Bruce continued his role as the Environmental and Climate Justice Committee Chair for the Missouri State Conference and the St. Louis County branch. III. SUSTAINABLE LANDS PROGRAM - Our sustainable lands program consists of assisting individuals, citizens groups and environmental organizations in their efforts to preserve and protect parks, open space, forests, and wilderness areas. In 2023 regarding the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) and the lawsuit brought by Shannon County against the National Park Service and L-A-D Foundation about roads and trails within the ONSR, we continued to defend scenic easements on L-A-D and Park Service lands. We provided transactional services to other organizations interested in protecting lands with conservation easements. We began defending a St. Louis County resident in a municipal proceeding brought against her because of her desire to place native Missouri plants in her yard. We also continued to help a community in Howell County, Missouri to organize and advocate over its concerns about water quality impacts to the Wild and Scenic Eleven Point River. IV. AIR QUALITY PROGRAM - Our Air Quality Program protects the regions air quality and reduces exposure to toxic pollutants. Ultimately, we seek a region where our children are healthy and free of asthma and other pollution-related ailments. Regarding U.S. EPAs investigation of our environmental complaint against the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), EPA is overseeing MDNRs implementation of a Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Public Participation Plan, which is designed to address MDNRs violations of Title VI LEP requirements and will require MDNR to more actively engage with non-English speaking communities. EPA is also working with MDNR to improve the agencys public outreach generally and, more specifically, through its permitting programs. In 2023, we continued our community air monitoring effort, and we collaborated with two others regarding their community air monitoring projects. We engaged the MDNR on a number of draft air pollution permits. We also began assisting a City of St. Louis community group over concerns about pollutants and odors in their community emanating from an across-river hazardous waste disposal facility. In 2023 we investigated how to ensure better enforcement of Missouris idling laws. We also began working with partner organizations and the cities of St. Louis and Kansas City to advocate in support of EPAs plan to impose more stringent controls on ozone pollution that is transported beyond state borders. This advocacy led to preparing an amicus brief in a case filed against EPA by the Missouri Attorney General. V. WATER QUALITY PROGRAM - On behalf of our clients, Great Rivers seeks to protect and preserve the waters of Missouri and surrounding states. Our water quality program begins with monitoring proposed federal, state and local actions that will adversely affect water quality. Great Rivers is frequently involved in matters that adversely impact water quality. This includes assisting environmental groups, citizens organizations and individuals in their legal challenges designed to protect the quality of the waters. In 2023, we continued to assist Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper (MCW) regarding water quality and coal ash. We worked with MCW to submit comments to EPA on (and oppose) an Ameren-requested extension to accept coal combustion waste on-site in an unlined pond. In Saint Genevieve County, for Sierra Club, we prevailed in a lawsuit against the MDNR over its NPDES (water) permit for Nexgen Silica, LCC to operate a silica sand mine. We highlighted potential effects on drinking water and groundwater, as the mine is likely to adversely affect the St. Francois Mountain Groundwater Province, which MDNR has classified as high risk and in need of protection. Across the River, on behalf of Sierra Club and Prairie Rivers Network, we continued to work on a matter before the Illinois Pollution Control Board regarding an NPDES permit issued to Pond Creek Mine. The permit issued for the mine is not sufficiently protective of the receiving streams or public health. We also served Sugar Camp Energy and its parent company with a notice of violation letter for violations of the Clean Water Act, RCRA and SMCRA resulting from the companys application of PFAS and toxic firefighting foam into a mine to extinguish a mine fire. After the State filed a Complaint in Illinois court, we intervened as Plaintiffs to assert interests in protecting the ecosystem and recreational resources of Akin Creek and the Big Muddy River. VI. WETLANDS AND FLOODPLAIN PROTECTION PROGRAM - On behalf of our clients, we challenge environmentally detrimental floodplain development and the over-engineering of rivers by means of levees and dams that destroy floodplains and aggravate flood risk. We monitor permit applications to dredge and fill wetlands. Great Rivers submits comments on proposals and assists environmental groups and individuals in their legal challenges to protect wetlands. These activities affect all of the people who inhabit and work in the watersheds of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers which drain major portions of the central and northwestern United States. In 2023, we continued to collaborate with partner organizations about unlawfully elevated levees. Several levee and drainage districts along the Mississippi River have elevated their levees without required approvals and without mitigating for increased flood heights caused by th |
| Software ID: | 23017509 |
| Software Version: |