STRATEGY STUDIO / PUBLIC DATA EXPLORER

HEADWATERS BASIN PROJECT

Cite this

Plain text HEADWATERS BASIN PROJECT. Strategy Studio, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2019–2024. https://strategystudio.org/org/834593371. Retrieved 2026-10-20.

APA Strategy Studio. (n.d.). HEADWATERS BASIN PROJECT [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2019–2024]. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://strategystudio.org/org/834593371

MLA “HEADWATERS BASIN PROJECT.” Strategy Studio, tax years 2019–2024, https://strategystudio.org/org/834593371. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-20; covers tax years 2019–2024. Data: Strategy Studio, CC BY 4.0.

2024 · Form 990 · revenue $727K · expenses $1.6M · assets $676K

EIN
83-4593371
Address
PO BOX 1352, NEVADA CITY, CA 95959-1352
NTEE code
C30
Subsection
501(c)(3)
Ruling year
2019
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

THE PROJECT'S MISSION IS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF HIGH-INTENSITY, CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES AND TO MAINTAIN THE OLD-GROWTH FORESTS, WATER SUPPLY, BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY, CULTURAL RESOURCES, AND ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS IN THE NORTH FORK AMERICAN HEADWATERS BASIN.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

None of the 11 people listed on these returns reported compensation from the organization. They are listed below.

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

11 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Ken Noack PRESIDENT &2021-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Steve Toben VICE PRESIDE2019-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Walter E Stern SECRETARY2023-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Michelle Margulies TREASURER2023-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Chris Paulus DIRECTOR2019-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Luana Dowling DIRECTOR2019-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Edward Beedy EXECUTIVE DI2019-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Jeff Volberg DIRECTOR2023-2024 1 $0 reported 1
Wade Lamson (former) SECRETARY2019-2022 Not reported $0 reported 1
Jeffrey Volberg (former) TREASURER2019-2022 Not reported $0 reported 1
Brian Jaffe (former) PRESIDENT &2019-2020 Not reported $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 8 people listed · none paid · 0 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
KEN NOACK PRESIDENT &1 $0$0$0 $01
STEVE TOBEN VICE PRESIDE1 $0$0$0 $01
WALTER E STERN SECRETARY1 $0$0$0 $01
MICHELLE MARGULIES TREASURER1 $0$0$0 $01
CHRIS PAULUS DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
LUANA DOWLING DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
EDWARD BEEDY EXECUTIVE DI1 $0$0$0 $01
JEFF VOLBERG DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 8 people listed · none paid · 0 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
KEN NOACK PRESIDENT &1 $0$0$0 $01
STEVE TOBEN VICE PRESIDE1 $0$0$0 $01
WALTER E STERN SECRETARY1 $0$0$0 $01
MICHELLE MARGULIES TREASURER1 $0$0$0 $01
CHRIS PAULUS DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
LUANA DOWLING DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
EDWARD BEEDY EXECUTIVE DI1 $0$0$0 $01
JEFF VOLBERG DIRECTOR1 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 7 people listed · none paid · 0 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
EDWARD BEEDY EXECUTIVE DI- $0$0$0 $01
LUANA DOWLING DIRECTOR- $0$0$0 $01
WADE LAMSON SECRETARY- $0$0$0 $01
KEN NOACK PRESIDENT &- $0$0$0 $01
CHRIS PAULUS DIRECTOR- $0$0$0 $01
STEVE TOBEN VICE PRESIDE- $0$0$0 $01
JEFFREY VOLBERG TREASURER- $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 7 people listed · none paid · 0 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
EDWARD BEEDY EXECUTIVE DI10 $0$0$0 $01
LUANA DOWLING DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
WADE LAMSON SECRETARY2 $0$0$0 $01
KEN NOACK PRESIDENT &2 $0$0$0 $01
CHRIS PAULUS DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
STEVE TOBEN VICE PRESIDE2 $0$0$0 $01
JEFFREY VOLBERG TREASURER2 $0$0$0 $01
2020 · 7 people listed · none paid · 0 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
EDWARD BEEDY EXECUTIVE DI- $0$0$0 $01
LUANA DOWLING DIRECTOR- $0$0$0 $01
BRIAN JAFFE PRESIDENT &- $0$0$0 $01
WADE LAMSON SECRETARY- $0$0$0 $01
CHRIS PAULUS DIRECTOR- $0$0$0 $01
STEVE TOBEN DIRECTOR- $0$0$0 $01
JEFFREY VOLBERG TREASURER- $0$0$0 $01
2019 · 7 people listed · none paid · 0 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
EDWARD BEEDY EXECUTIVE DI5 $0$0$0 $01
LUANA DOWLING DIRECTOR- $0$0$0 $01
BRIAN JAFFE PRESIDENT &- $0$0$0 $01
WADE LAMSON SECRETARY- $0$0$0 $01
CHRIS PAULUS DIRECTOR- $0$0$0 $01
STEVE TOBEN DIRECTOR- $0$0$0 $01
JEFFREY VOLBERG TREASURER- $0$0$0 $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

2024 · 4 contractors · $1.4M
NameLocationServicePaid
JENSEN'S TREE CAREPENN VALLEY, CAFOREST HEALTH$518,124
BLACK DOG ENTERPRISESNEVADA CITY, CAFOREST HEALTH$356,720
FRANK DIAL LOGGINGNEVADA CITY, CAFOREST HEALTH$340,500
RED MOUNTAIN RESOURCESOAKLEY, IDFOREST HEALTH$185,500

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$726,785$1,580,983 $675,610$624,312 $586,750$0 -0-
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$787,256$441,306 $1,478,510$1,478,510 $741,528$0 -0-
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$1,025,593$620,282 $1,132,560$1,132,560 $1,023,850$0 -0-
2021 · Form 990 period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$572,029$151,071 $727,249$727,249 $571,850$0 -0-
2020 · Form 990 period ending 2020-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$42,657$239,328 $306,291$306,291 $36,000$0 -0-
2019 · Form 990 period ending 2019-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$509,046$6,084 $502,962$502,962 $505,079$0 -0-

Funders of this organization

3 grantors reported grants to this organization, $2,170,400 in all, tax years 2019 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTypeMatchYears givenGrantsTotalLatest yearLatest year's amountGrants
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor Exact 2019-2024 6$2,133,400 2024$554,500
show
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor Exact 2021 1$27,000 2021$27,000
show
VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM DAF sponsor Exact 2021 1$10,000 2021$10,000
show

Similar organizations

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
WATER CLIMATE TRUSTCAC30 $378,161$354,691 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$93,580 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
CALIFORNIA WATER EFFICIENCY PARTNERSHIPCAC30 $1,341,481$1,247,593 CO-EXEC. DIRECTOR-EXTERNAL AFFAIRS$185,394 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
SCOTT RIVER WATER TRUSTCAC30 $387,850$441,991 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
PEOPLE RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION FOUNDATIONCAC30 $1,204,618$1,348,446 Founder President Director Chief Exec Officer$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
WATER BLUEPRINT FOR THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY EDUCATION FUNDCAC30 $445,620$442,448 Executive Dir.$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
BADUWAT WATERSHED COUNCILCAC30 $426,600$370,924 BOARD PRESIDENT$55,370 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
HEAL THE OCEANCAC30 $1,035,758$1,150,429 STRATEGIC AD$225,781 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
MLTPA FOUNDATIONCAC30 $647,603$660,730 President$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
MOTHERS OF THE AMAZON INCCAC30 $711,205$723,966 CEO$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
ENVIRONMENT CALIFORNIA RESEARCH & POLICY CENTER INCCAC30 $713,419$1,147,511 STATE DIRECTOR$55,000 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
EASTERN SIERRA CONSERVATION CORPSCAC30 $1,175,971$1,164,055 Executive Director$75,123 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
COASTSIDE LAND TRUSTCAC30 $742,742$487,596 Executive Dir.$101,370 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTECAC30 $1,276,725$1,234,879 EXECUTIVE DIR$249,032 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
GREEN CITIES FUND INCCAC30 $453,195$417,025 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
BAY NATURE INSTITUTECAC30 $1,304,302$1,176,760 Publisher/ED$130,156 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
FRIENDS OF THE INYOCAC30 $890,026$1,023,694 Executive Dir.$105,749 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
COAST RIDGE FOREST COUNCILCAC30 $460,575$626,813 President$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
FUND FOR WILD NATURECAC30 $476,452$212,872 President$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
BALLONA WETLANDS CONSERVANCYCAC30 $1,026,274$983,049 CEO$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
HANNIG ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONCAC30 $511,750$551,512 President & CEO$36,000 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
TOGETHER BAY AREACAC30 $963,757$900,162 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$170,344 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
CALIFORNIA RELEAFCAC30 $764,343$730,889 Executive Dir.$118,166 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
RANCHO SAN BUENAVENTURA CONSERVATION TRUSTCAC30 $539,708$113,665 TRUSTEE$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
HILLSBOROUGH BEAUTIFICATION FOUNDATIONCAC30 $364,363$297,874 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state
NATURAL COMMUNITIES COALITIONCAC30 $1,366,266$2,642,826 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$291,865 Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING funds this one DAF sponsor$6,670,430137 312014–2024 ONEILL SEA ODYSSEY; THIRD MILLENNIUM ALLIANCE; ENVIRONMENT CALIFORNIA RESEARCH & POLICY CENTER INC; BCARBON INC and 27 more
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$6,355,743175 452016–2024 SUGI FOUNDATION; GATHERING WATERS INC; WESTERN MINING ACTION PROJECT; PROTECT OUR WATER JACKSON HOLE INC and 41 more
GS DONOR ADVISED PHILANTHROPY FUND FOR WEALTH MANAGEMENT INC DAF sponsor$6,311,00020 62017–2024 WILLAMETTE FALLS TRUST; ENVIRONMENTALISM THROUGH INSPIRATION & NON VIOLENT ACTION; BALSAM MOUNTAIN TR; HEAL THE OCEAN and 2 more
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor$4,274,25030 142014–2024 IMAGINE H2O INC; TRUE NATURE SOCIETY; ENVIRONMENTALISM THROUGH INSPIRATION & NON VIOLENT ACTION; CADDO LAKE INSTITUTE INC and 10 more
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION funds this one DAF sponsor$2,987,44951 142010–2024 IMAGINE H2O INC; COASTSIDE LAND TRUST; ENVIRONMENT CALIFORNIA RESEARCH & POLICY CENTER INC; ONEILL SEA ODYSSEY and 10 more
FORD FOUNDATION Private foundation$2,595,60016 22017–2023 IF NOT US THEN WHO; TRUE NATURE SOCIETY
THE COCA-COLA FOUNDATION INC Private foundation$2,250,0002 12022–2023 IMAGINE H2O INC
TIDES FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$2,194,26715 72018–2024 GREEN SCIENCE POLICY INSTITUTE; IMAGINE H2O INC; BAYOU CITY WATERKEEPER INC; GREEN CITIES FUND INC and 3 more
BOSTON FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$2,179,94117 22009–2024 NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST OF EASTON; BETTER FUTURE PROJECT INC
THE SCHMIDT FAMILY FOUNDATION Private foundation$1,975,00012 52020–2024 IMAGINE H2O INC; CULTURAL FIRE MANAGEMENT COUNCIL; SAVE CALIFORNIA SALMON; BAY NATURE INSTITUTE and 1 more
THE SEATTLE FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$1,908,00013 52010–2024 AMERICAN LANDS PROJECT; SUGI FOUNDATION; ENVIRONMENTALISM THROUGH INSPIRATION & NON VIOLENT ACTION; GLOBAL WARMING MITIGATION PROJECT and 1 more
NATURE CONSERVANCY DAF sponsor$1,607,58237 132013–2024 NATURAL COMMUNITIES COALITION; SCOTT RIVER WATER TRUST; COOSA RIVER BASIN INITIATIVE; PENSACOLA AND PERDIDO BAYS ESTUARY PROGRAM INC and 9 more
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF JACKSON HOLE DAF sponsor$1,472,5546 12019–2024 PROTECT OUR WATER JACKSON HOLE INC
DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION Private foundation$1,456,49522 52010–2023 ONEILL SEA ODYSSEY; IF NOT US THEN WHO; CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF LAND TRUSTS; TOGETHER BAY AREA and 1 more
ROCKEFELLER FAMILY FUND INC DAF sponsor$1,448,0009 22020–2024 BETTER FUTURE PROJECT INC; GLOBAL WARMING MITIGATION PROJECT

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2024 · Form 990 · $1,580,983 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)LAND PRESERVATION CLEAR $1,461,144$1,461,144-- 92.4%
Other (as described)RPF $103,320$103,320-- 6.5%
Other (as described)PROJECT MANAGEMENT $6,843$6,843-- 0.4%
Fees: accounting $6,611-$6,611- 0.4%
Insurance $1,417-$1,417- 0.1%
Other (as described)MISCELLANEOUS $615$615-- 0.0%
Fees: investment management $558-$558- 0.0%
All other expenses $475-$475- 0.0%
Total$1,580,983100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $441,306 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)LAND PRESERVATION CLEAR $359,338$359,338-- 81.4%
Other (as described)RPF $71,400$71,400-- 16.2%
Fees: accounting $4,356-$4,356- 1.0%
Other (as described)PROJECT MANAGEMENT $3,547$3,547-- 0.8%
Insurance $1,385-$1,385- 0.3%
Fees: legal $534-$534- 0.1%
Other (as described)BANK CHARGES $350-$350- 0.1%
All other expenses $240-$240- 0.1%
Travel $156-$156- 0.0%
Total$441,306100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $620,282 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)LAND PRESERVATION CLEAR $416,881$416,881-- 67.2%
Other (as described)ROAD $158,009$158,009-- 25.5%
Other (as described)RPF $28,595$28,595-- 4.6%
Other (as described)PROJECT MANAGEMENT $7,706$7,706-- 1.2%
Fees: accounting $5,248-$5,248- 0.8%
All other expenses $1,475$1,000$475- 0.2%
Insurance $1,385-$1,385- 0.2%
Fees: legal $511-$511- 0.1%
Office expenses $316-$316- 0.1%
Travel $156-$156- 0.0%
Total$620,282100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990 · $151,071 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)LAND PRESERVATION CLEAR $143,378$143,378-- 94.9%
Other (as described)REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE $4,250$4,250-- 2.8%
Fees: accounting $1,482-$1,482- 1.0%
Insurance $1,342-$1,342- 0.9%
Fees: legal $489-$489- 0.3%
Other (as described)REGISTRATION $110-$110- 0.1%
Other (as described)STATE TAX $25-$25- 0.0%
All other expenses -$5--$5- -0.0%
Total$151,071100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990 · $239,328 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other (as described)LAND PRESERVATION CLEAR $236,928$236,928-- 99.0%
Fees: accounting $1,824-$1,824- 0.8%
Fees: legal $476-$476- 0.2%
Interest $59-$59- 0.0%
Other (as described)REGISTRATION $25-$25- 0.0%
Other (as described)STATE TAX $10-$10- 0.0%
Other (as described)BANK CHARGES $6-$6- 0.0%
Total$239,328100%

View the filing

2019 · Form 990 · $6,084 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: legal $5,231-$5,231- 86.0%
Fees: accounting $495-$495- 8.1%
Travel $358-$358- 5.9%
Total$6,084100%

View the filing