2025-11-14T08:24:21-08:00 2024-12-31 454220136 Cindy Fulton CPA LLC 3270 Ivanhoe Ave St Louis MO 63139 990 2024-01-01 431943334 Great Rivers Environmental Law Center GREA 3142314181 4625 Lindell Blvd Saint Louis MO 63108 Andrew Bouquet Treasurer 3142314181 2025-05-12 true true Cindy Fulton P01066528 3146442700 2025-10-13 X 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X Garrett Broshuis 4625 Lindell Ste 200300 Saint Louis MO 63108 806593 false X www.greatriverslaw.org X 2001 MO Legal services for environmental protection 17 17 8 69 0 0 888213 654473 47906 55044 14305 33786 -8295 -5670 942129 737633 0 0 357573 526332 0 90395 131844 146237 489417 672569 452712 65064 1561850 1679470 58001 108098 1503849 1571372 X Legal services for environmental protection false false 500545 0 55044 See Schedule O 500545 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false true true true false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 5 0 8 true false false false false false true true false false false false false false X 17 17 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X X X Natalie Johnson 3142314181 4625 Lindell Ste 200 300 Saint Louis MO 63108 Garrett Broshuis Board chair 0.56 X X 0 0 0 Steve Mahfood Secretary 0.44 X X 0 0 0 Sandy Rothchild part-year Treasurer 0.27 X X 0 0 0 Andrew Bouquet part-year Treasurer 0.37 X X 0 0 0 David Bohm Board member 0.37 X 0 0 0 Melissa Greenstein Board member 0.69 X 0 0 0 Kay Drey Board member 0.00 X 0 0 0 Kathleen Henry Board member 0.46 X 0 0 0 Debbie Njai Board member 0.31 X 0 0 0 Cynthia Holmes Board member 0.57 X 0 0 0 Wallis Warren Board member 0.38 X 0 0 0 Richard Lageson Board member 0.08 X 0 0 0 Henry Robertson Board member 0.46 X 0 0 0 Rebecca Weaver Board member 0.27 X 0 0 0 Dhruv Mitroo Board member 0.46 X 0 0 0 Lauren Wood part-year Board member 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jim Wilson Board member 0.31 X 0 0 0 Ben Senturia Board member 0.42 X 0 0 0 Charles Bryson Board member 0.54 X 0 0 0 Natalie Johnson Executive director 42.00 X 101257 0 0 101257 0 0 1 false false false 0 57079 597394 47019 654473 Legal fees - clients 541100 55044 0 0 55044 33315 0 33315 47490 47019 471 471 0 0 471 16146 57079 21941 -5795 0 -5795 125 125 125 737633 55169 0 27991 111817 67090 16773 27954 357470 277756 42256 37458 20178 15908 1348 2922 1576 1150 205 221 35291 25762 4588 4941 3216 0 3216 0 18002 12819 2164 3019 24169 14406 2626 7137 43580 31814 5665 6101 5258 4495 393 370 1363 824 388 151 2444 1801 643 0 Dues and memberships 8161 8161 0 0 Reference materials 11007 11007 0 0 Case-related costs 22683 22683 0 0 Other 6354 4869 1364 121 672569 500545 81629 90395 10955 54810 917879 1077941 231438 99813 20897 30791 7225 4439 3850 3850 0 0 360320 398057 13136 13619 1561850 1679470 44541 94479 13460 13619 58001 108098 X 1125362 1159830 378487 411542 1503849 1571372 1561850 1679470 65064 31403 -28944 X false true X true false X 0 400059 654541 557544 888213 654473 3154830 0 0 400059 654541 557544 888213 654473 3154830 1306784 1848046 4035 19475 6650 16089 33315 79564 0 0 0 0 0 3234394 133818 0.57140 0.54870 X 0 0 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 3850 3850 0 0 Lease liability - office 13619 13619 X 774555 31403 5519 36922 737633 737633 678088 5519 5519 672569 672569 Pt X, Line 2 FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes, provides for the recognition of tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions. For the year ended December 31, 2024, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions. The Organization files form 990 Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. Returns prior to 2021 are closed. Pt XI, Line 2d Event expenses in Pt. VIII on the 990 Pt XII, Line 2d Event expenses in Pt. VIII on the 990 Dinner 73225 57079 16146 1600 14662 400 5279 73225 57079 16146 1600 14662 400 5279 21941 -5795 X 4 47019 FMV date of transfer false false false Other Pt. 1, line 31 - We have not received this type of contribution to date. However, if one is offered in the future, a group comprised of the board chair, selected board members, and perhaps an outside consultant would be gathered to determine the appropriateness of accepting such a contribution. 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.