Nonprofit · EIN 52-1420138
BLUE WATER BALTIMORE
Tax-exempt · BALTIMORE, MD 21211
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $3,610,893 | $4,030,761 | -$419,868 | $1,399,242 | $326,932 | $1,072,310 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $2,862,440 | $3,108,297 | -$245,857 | $1,839,905 | $383,226 | $1,456,679 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $3,040,573 | $3,095,775 | -$55,202 | $2,098,788 | $396,252 | $1,702,536 |
| December 31, 2022 | 990 (amended) | $2,855,807 | $2,946,011 | -$90,204 | $1,938,185 | $238,198 | $1,699,987 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,873,230
- of which government grants
- $796,590
- Membership dues
- $376,415
- Program service revenue
- $375,012
- Investment income
- $11,892
- Net gain from sales of assets
- -$9
- Net income from fundraising events
- $23,745
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $314,398
- Other revenue
- $350,759
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $258,526
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,630,050
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $2,210,926
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $20,500
- Occupancy
- $110,126
- Travel
- $26,025
- Depreciation
- $54,114
- Program services (functional)
- $2,670,350
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,073,158
- Fundraising (functional)
- $287,253
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,839,905
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,399,242
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $326,932
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,072,310
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $215,721
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $797,495
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $274,815
- Gross receipts
- $3,860,670
- Employees
- 37
- Volunteers
- 1,075
- Year formed
- 1994
- State of legal domicile
- MD
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JILL CECIL | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND AD Highest-paid employee | 40 | $119,128 | $13,441 |
| SYDNEE WILSON RUFF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 45 | $125,054 | $903 |
| BILL HOWARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BILL PIERMATTEI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| WALLY PINKARD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE YASTREMSKI | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| THERESA FURNARI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNIFER HAMILTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN SAVAGE | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| YURY GIMBURG | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| REBECCA PHILLIPS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| MIA BLOM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| ANGUS BURTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID WEIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB SUMMERS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
6 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYLLIS FUNG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JACK BOYSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| N-NEKA SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| STEVEN RAGSDALE | VICE CHAIR (TERM ENDED 1/31/25) Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 |
| SUSANNAH BERGMANN | DIRECTOR (TERM ENDED 7/31/25) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| CARLTON SEXTON | DIRECTOR (TERM ENDED 1/31/25) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 20 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JILL CECIL | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND AD Highest-paid employee | 40 | $119,160 | $12,794 |
| SYDNEE WILSON RUFF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 45 | $125,054 | $915 |
| BILL HOWARD | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| WALTER PINKARD III | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE YASTREMSKI | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| THERESA FURNARI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVEN RAGSDALE | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN SAVAGE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| YURY GIMBURG | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| REBECCA PHILLIPS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| CARLTON SEXTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSANNAH BERGMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANGUS BURTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE COLDREN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET OLIVER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID WEIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB SUMMERS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PHYLLIS FUNG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JACK BOYSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| N-NEKA SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 22 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JILL CECIL | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND AD Highest-paid employee | 40 | $120,942 | $11,878 |
| SYDNEE WILSON RUFF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 45 | $78,580 | $2,701 |
| DEOLEOUS BRIDGES | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 45 | $49,328 | $0 |
| BILL HOWARD | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| WALTER PINKARD III | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE YASTREMSKI | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| THERESA FURNARI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVEN RAGSDALE | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN SAVAGE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| YURY GIMBURG | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| REBECCA PHILLIPS | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| CARLTON SEXTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSANNAH BERGMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANGUS BURTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAN O'LEARY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE COLDREN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET OLIVER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID WEIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB SUMMERS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| PHYLLIS FUND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JACK BOYSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| N-NEKA SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2022: 25 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JILL CECIL | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND ADMIN. Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,634 | $11,014 |
| DEOLEOUS BRIDGES | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 45 | $126,290 | $0 |
| BILL HOWARD | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| WALTER PINKARD III | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE YASTREMSKI | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| THERESA FURNARI | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVEN RAGSDALE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN SAVAGE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| YURY GIMBURG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SYDNEE RUFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| REBECCA PHILLIPS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| CARLTON SEXTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSANNAH BERGMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANGUS BURTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAN O'LEARY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES STIERHOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE COLDREN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET OLIVER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID WEIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN DETTMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN HEBBEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN LACHAPELLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PHILIP SPEVAK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB SUMMERS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN SHEA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 4863, BALTIMORE, MD 21211-0863
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- YURY GIMBURG, 919 W 34TH STREET PO BOX 4863, BALTIMORE, MD 21211
- Signed the 990
- YURY GIMBURG, TREASURER
- Phone
- (410) 254-1577
- Website
- BLUEWATERBALTIMORE.ORG
- Return prepared by
- WEYRICH CRONIN & SORRA LLC
Mission
TO RESTORE THE QUALITY OF BALTIMORE'S RIVERS, STREAMS AND HARBOR TO FOSTER A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, A STRONG ECONOMY, AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES.
Program accomplishments
- NURSERY:BLUE WATER BALTIMORE'S HERRING RUN NURSERY GROWS PLANTS, TREES AND SHRUBS NATIVE TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED. THESE PLANTS ARE USED IN RESTORATION PROJECTS AND SOLD TO RESIDENTS AND WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS. SPECIALTIES OF OUR NURSERY INCLUDE DESIGNING AND INSTALLING RAIN GARDENS AND LOW MAINTENANCE NATIVE LANDSCAPES TO REDUCE STORM RUNOFF. TO AID RESIDENTS, WE PROVIDED LANDSCAPE ADVICE TO 44 HOMES IN THE REGION. IN 2025, 47 DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS GAVE 1,074 HOURS OF TIME TO SELL MORE THAN 49,000 NATIVE PLANTS AND 23 RAIN BARRELS.Expenses $247,835 · revenue $300,070
- WATERSHED RESTORATION:BLUE WATER BALTIMORE'S STORMWATER REDUCTION EFFORTS AIM TO REDUCE THE VOLUME OF RAIN WATER RUNOFF, OR STORMWATER AND THE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION FLOWING INTO OUR STREAMS. WE WORK WITH COMMUNITIES, PLACES OF WORSHIP, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. WE ARE WORKING TO ENGAGE RESIDENTS IN ACTIONS TO REDUCE NUTRIENT, SEDIMENT AND OTHER POLLUTION FROM ENTERING LOCAL STREAMS IN THE PATAPSCO AND BACK RIVER WATERSHEDS AND ULTIMATELY THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.IN 2025, WE WORKED WITH 24 PARTNERS INCLUDING CONGREGATIONS, SCHOOLS, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, AND HOSPITALS TO PLAN AND CONSTRUCT GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT REDUCE AND FILTER STORMWATER RUNOFF. WE COMPLETED THE INSTALLATION OF 6 GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, INCLUDING PAVEMENT REMOVAL, RAIN GARDENS, BIORETENTIONS, BIOSWALES, AND CONSERVATION LANDSCAPING. PROJECTS INCLUDE THE VILLAGE OF 12 TREES, STILLMEADOW COMMUNITY FELLOWSHIP, MIRACLE CITY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, THE RED SHED VILLAGE, ST. GABRIEL CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND THE MARYLAND ENERGY ASSISTANCE BUILDING. THESE PROJECTS TREAT 7.88 ACRES (3.15 IMPERVIOUS ACRES) OF OUR WATERSHED EACH TIME IT RAINS.Expenses $814,620 · revenue $157,964
- GREENING:WE PLANTED 704 STREET TREES IN PARKS, SCHOOL GROUNDS, AND ALONG NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS IN OUR WATERSHED, TOTALLING 2.35 ACRES OF STORMWATER TREATED. OUR STREET TREE PROGRAM CREATED 124 NEW TREE BEDS WHILE REMOVING 6,036 SQUARE FEET OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACE IN BALTIMORE CITY. WE GAVE AWAY MORE THAN 1,090 TREES TO BE PLANTED IN YARDS WITHIN BALTIMORE CITY AND COUNTY. IF ALL GIVEAWAY TREES WERE PLANTED, THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF 3.63 ACRES OF NEW TREE CANOPY. THIS WILL EXPAND AS THE TREES GROW AND SPREAD THEIR LIMBS.Expenses $750,573 · revenue $229,083
- WATERKEEPER:BLUE WATER BALTIMORE MAINTAINS A RIGOROUS LONG-TERM WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAM IN BALTIMORE'S STREAMS, RIVERS, AND HARBOR IN ORDER TO CHARACTERIZE THE HEALTH OF OUR LOCALWATERWAYS, HOLD POLLUTERS ACCOUNTABLE, AND ADVOCATE FOR STRONGER LAWS FOR CLEAN WATER. IN 2025, WE COLLECTED THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUAL MEASUREMENTS OF WATER HEALTH WHICH WE USED TO DEVELOP REGIONAL WATER QUALITY SCORES FOR OUR ANNUAL REPORT CARD. THE REPORT CARD AND ALL OF THE DATA WE GENERATE ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT BALTIMOREWATERWATCH.ORG. OUR DATA-MAPPING WEBSITE IS AN INVALUABLE TOOL FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS THAT HELPS THEM MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT HOW AND WHEN THEY CAN SAFELY FISH, PADDLE, AND WADE IN OUR LOCAL WATERWAYS. OUR WATERKEEPER TEAM RECEIVED AND RESPONDED TO 84 POLLUTION REPORTS FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS INCLUDING SOCIAL MEDIA, EMAIL, OUR POLLUTION REPORTING HOTLINE, AND OUR ONLINE POLLUTION REPORTING TOOL. THESE REPORTS RANGED FROM ISSUES SUCH AS EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL VIOLATIONS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, TO SEWAGE OVERFLOWS AND WATER MAIN BREAKS. IN 2025 WE SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED THE CONSENT DECREE IN OUR CLEAN WATER ACT LAWSUIT AGAINST FLEISCHMANN'S VINEGAR COMPANY INC., KERRY INC., AND KERRY HOLDING CO. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION IN 2025 WE HAD 47 DIFFERENT OUTREACH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION AND REACHED 1,130 INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY AT COMMUNITY EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, THROUGH DOOR KNOCKING AND COMMUNITY MEETINGS AS WELL AS DELIVERING EDUCATION PROGRAMMING LIKE HOW'S THE WATER HON?, BUG HUNTS, AND WALK & TALKS.Expenses $857,322 · revenue $14,909
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 52-1420138
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1994
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C013)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,399,242
- Income (IRS master file)
- $3,860,670
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $3,610,893 | $4,030,761 | $1,399,242 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $2,862,440 | $3,108,297 | $1,839,905 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $3,040,573 | $3,095,775 | $2,098,788 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $2,855,807 | $2,946,011 | $1,938,185 | XML |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 52-1420138).
Questions about BLUE WATER BALTIMORE
- What is the EIN of BLUE WATER BALTIMORE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BLUE WATER BALTIMORE is 52-1420138.
- Is BLUE WATER BALTIMORE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1994.
- Are donations to BLUE WATER BALTIMORE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BLUE WATER BALTIMORE file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of BLUE WATER BALTIMORE due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BLUE WATER BALTIMORE last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BLUE WATER BALTIMORE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names YURY GIMBURG.
- Who are the officers and directors of BLUE WATER BALTIMORE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 21 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $119,128 (JILL CECIL, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND AD).
- How much revenue does BLUE WATER BALTIMORE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $3,610,893, expenses of $4,030,761 and total assets of $1,399,242 at year end.
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- BALTIMORE TREE TRUST INC EIN 26-4031411 · last filed 990 for 2024
- FRIENDS OF PATTERSON PARK INC EIN 52-2094989 · last filed 990 for 2024
- CYLBURN ARBORETUM FRIENDS INC EIN 23-7091589 · last filed 990 for 2025
- BALTIMORE GREEN SPACE A LAND TRUSTFOR COMMUNITY-MANAGED OPEN SPACE IN EIN 26-0530374 · last filed 990 for 2024
- BACK RIVER RESTORATION COMMITTEE INC EIN 26-2595058 · last filed 990 for 2025
- CLIMATE ACCESS FUND CORPORATION EIN 82-4597787 · last filed 990 for 2025
- ROLAND PARK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC EIN 52-1479924 · last filed 990 for 2024