American Whitewater has released our 2012 Annual Report, it can be downloaded by clicking
here. A couple interesting points from that report are: First, we are very fortunate to have
a highly diversified revenue stream. What this means for a nonprofit is that if one stream were
to dry up, other sources of revenue can carry the organization. This is critical for long-term
organizational sustainability. Second, our lean administrative model means that .85 cents on
every dollar passes through directly to support river stewardship efforts. This ratio, 15% of
expenses spent on administration and fund raising, is a low overhead percentage in the nonprofit
world and a demonstration of our commitment to protecting, restoring and enjoying whitewater
rivers.
Thanks to an organization wide effort to provide transparency and operate efficiently,
Charity Navigator
awarded American Whitewater with its third consecutive 4-star rating. Receiving four out of a
possible four stars indicates that American Whitewater adheres to good governance and other best
practices that minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently executes its mission
in a fiscally responsible way. Only 9% of the nonprofits Charity Navigator rates have received
three consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that American Whitewater outperforms most other
charities in America. This “exceptional” designation from Charity Navigator
differentiates American Whitewater from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of
their trust and support.
At the heart of our river stewardship program is the understanding that conservation and
recreation are mutually dependent. Time spent paddling forms the basis for a conservation ethic
that values water in rivers. Paddlers understand that you cannot love what you don’t know.
It’s our love of whitewater that makes us fierce defenders of rivers and their flows. This
intimate connection to flowing water has made American Whitewater a force in river stewardship
for close to 60 years. A strong year, like the one we had in 2012, means that American Whitewater
will be around for a very long time to represent the interests of the whitewater paddling
community.
Your
membership
support allows American Whitewater’s river stewardship staff to work on important projects
in their respective regions. Our team consists of professional staff supported by board members
and volunteers from communities across the country. American Whitewater’s regional approach
to stewardship work is focused on our mission, “To conserve and restore America’s
whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.”
