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) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 400,059 | 654,541 | 557,544 | 888,213 | 654,473 | 3,154,830 |
| 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 | 400,059 | 654,541 | 557,544 | 888,213 | 654,473 | 3,154,830 |
| 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) .. | 1,306,784 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 1,848,046 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 400,059 | 654,541 | 557,544 | 888,213 | 654,473 | 3,154,830 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 4,035 | 19,475 | 6,650 | 16,089 | 33,315 | 79,564 |
| 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 | ||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 3,234,394 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (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) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (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): |
|||||
| 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 2024 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-2024 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2024 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2024 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2024: | ||||
| a From 2019....... | ||||
| b From 2020....... | ||||
| c From 2021....... | ||||
| d From 2022....... | ||||
| e From 2023....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2024 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2019 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2024 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2024 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2024, 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 2024. 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 2025. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2024..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | 24020153 |
| Software Version: |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 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 2024 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 VI, Line 15b | The management staff periodically reviews compensation of support staff in similar not-for-profits in the St. Louis area to make sure its staff salaries/wages are comparable. |
| Pt VI, Line 18 | 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. |
| Pt VI, Line 19 | Same as description for Pt. VI, line 18 |
| 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 | Description for Pt. III, line 4a - Statement of Program Accomplishments - In 2024, Great Rivers Environmental Law Center advanced its mission to provide free and low-cost legal services to protect the environment and public health across Missouri and Southern Illinois. Our legal advocacy, representation, and community partnerships resulted in major accomplishments in the areas of clean water, clean air, environmental justice, and land protection. PROTECTING CLEAN WATER - Secured a landmark settlement improving oversight of Pond Creek Mines discharges into tributaries of Illinois Big Muddy River. The agreement imposed stronger pollution limits, real-time monitoring, and third-party oversight to safeguard water quality and aquatic life. Advocated for communities facing unsafe drinking water, including nitrate contamination in Clark Countys public drinking water supply. Represented residents in Howell County to push for stronger stormwater protections against a proposed quarry threatening the Eleven Point River. DEFENDING CLEAN AIR AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE - Opposed harmful air pollution permits, including through interventions before the Missouri Public Service Commission on Amerens Integrated Resource Plan, pressing for renewable energy instead of expanded fossil fuel reliance. Continued to defend environmental justice protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, working with community partners to ensure that low-income and minority neighborhoods are not disproportionately burdened by industrial pollution. LAND USE AND COMMUNITY ADVOCACY - Helped residents in North St. Louis County address nuisance properties and unsafe neighborhood conditions, using legal advocacy to restore community health and safety. Represented homeowners facing threats to their native pollinator gardens, securing dismissals of county citations and defending sustainable landscaping choices. Partnered with residents and nonprofits to protect public parks and natural spaces, including opposing erosion and reckless development near the Osage River and Lake of the Ozarks. ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH AND IMPACT - Welcomed attorney Caitlin Stiltner to our staff and mentored 11 law interns, expanding our legal capacity to take on more cases. Supported the launch of Show Me Stormwater Solutions, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting stormwater education and best practices in Illinois. Celebrated community leaders at the Lewis C. Green Environmental Awards Celebration, honoring Jean Ponzi and Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum for their commitment to environmental stewardship. Through these efforts, Great Rivers Environmental Law Center achieved meaningful victories for the environment and the communities we serve. Our work in 2024 reflects a steadfast commitment to protecting natural resources, defending public health, and advancing environmental justice for future generations. |
| Software ID: | 24020153 |
| Software Version: |