Nonprofit · EIN 53-0225129
WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION
Tax-exempt · ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 31, 2025 | 990 | $31,015,734 | $28,586,705 | $2,429,029 | $52,285,827 | $25,423,746 | $26,862,081 |
| August 31, 2024 | 990 | $31,872,253 | $32,815,938 | -$943,685 | $46,444,932 | $23,940,207 | $22,504,725 |
| August 31, 2023 | 990 | $26,779,126 | $27,924,125 | -$1,144,999 | $41,273,797 | $20,235,382 | $21,038,415 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,638,636
- of which government grants
- $652,759
- Program service revenue
- $26,905,352
- Investment income
- $724,504
- Royalties
- $191,480
- Net gain from sales of assets
- -$39,320
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $397,944
- Other revenue
- $747,242
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $302,008
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $739,534
- Other salaries and wages
- $9,090,748
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $12,193,999
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $132,772
- Accounting fees
- $50,077
- Occupancy
- $324,629
- Travel
- $976,457
- Depreciation
- $781,811
- Program services (functional)
- $21,268,475
- Management and general (functional)
- $7,318,230
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $46,444,932
- Total assets, end of year
- $52,285,827
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $25,423,746
- Net assets, end of year
- $26,862,081
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $3,087,543
- Publicly traded securities
- $26,428,036
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $26,602,663
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $259,418
- Gross unrelated business income
- $2,276,223
- Gross receipts
- $31,977,944
- Employees
- 103
- Volunteers
- 3,200
- Year formed
- 1941
- State of legal domicile
- IL
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 August 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan K Ikeda | Chief Mission Officer Key employee | 37.5 | $223,058 | $15,513 |
| Catherine LThomson | Sr. Director, Information Technology Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $225,079 | $8,945 |
| Lorna EJ Ernst | Managing Dir., Publishing Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $213,654 | $19,526 |
| Karen Powderly | Chief Financal Officer Officer | 37.5 | $209,131 | $23,297 |
| Cari F McBride | Account Manager Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $201,697 | $30,255 |
| Ralph Exton Starting 0724 | Secretary & WEF Executive Director Officer | 37.5 | $201,422 | $19,120 |
| Nancy Cornwell | Dir., Facilities Management Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $201,087 | $17,703 |
| Renee M Kayal | Managing Dir., Governance Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $209,888 | $8,183 |
| Raymond Bianchi | Managing Dir., Business Development Key employee | 37.5 | $180,543 | $32,609 |
| Stephanie Jones | Managing Dir., Event Strategy Key employee | 37.5 | $179,170 | $21,025 |
| Kathleen Waugh Ending 0624 | Chief Operating Officer Key employee | 37.5 | $158,762 | $16,017 |
| Ifetayo Venner | Past President (thru 10/24) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| Aimee Killeen Presthru 1024 | Past Pres (thru 10/25) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| Howard Carter Pres-Elect | (thru 10/24), Pres (thru 10/25) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| Keith Hobson VPthru 1024 | Pres-Elect (thru 10/25) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
10 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Schuler | Vice President (as of 10/24) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 |
| Christine Volkay-Hilditch | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 |
| Janet Cann | Trustee (through 10/24) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| Tracy Ekola | Trustee Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| Walid Khoury | Trustee (as of 10/24) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| Brian Persing | Trustee (as of 10/24) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| Diego Rosso | Trustee (thru 10/24) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| Stephen Sanders | Trustee Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| Kalpna Solanki | Trustee Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
| Corey Williams | Trustee Trustee or director | 4 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2024: 23 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walter Marlowe | FMR Exec Dir (Ending 05/23) Former | 0 | $266,223 | $25,049 |
| Kathleen C Waugh | COO (Ending 06/24) Officer | 37.5 | $251,017 | $30,775 |
| Raymond L Bianchi | Mgn Dir Business Development Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $197,370 | $39,231 |
| Karen A Powderly | Chief Financial Officer Officer | 37.5 | $190,130 | $24,850 |
| Andrea E Pellegrino | Mgn Dir. Membership, Marketing & Communications Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $175,017 | $39,930 |
| Stephanie D Jones | Mgn Dir., Professional Development Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $183,539 | $23,890 |
| Larissa O Hanpeter | Mgn Dir., Human Resources Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $170,647 | $16,655 |
| Renee Kayal | Mgn. Dir, Gover & Assoc Engagement Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $167,639 | $13,091 |
| Jamie Eichenberger | Past President (through 10/23) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| Ifetayo Venner PresThru 1023 | Past President (as 10/24) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| Aimee Killeen Pres Elect | (as 10/23) Pres (as 10/24) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| Howard Carter VPThru 1023 | Pres Elect (as 10/24) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| Keith Hobson Treasurer | (Thru 10/23), VP (thru 10/24) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| Christine Volkay-Hilditch | Treasurer (as 10/23) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| Shellie Chard | Trustee (thru 10/23) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Gustavo Gallo | Trustee (thru 10/23) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Janet Cann | Trustee Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Diego Rosso | Trustee Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Stephen Sanders | Trustee Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Corey Williams | Trustee Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Tracy Ekola | Trustee (as 10/23) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Kalpna Solanki | Trustee (as 10/23) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| Ralph Exton | Secr. & Exec Dir(starting 07/24) Trustee or director, Officer | 37.5 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended August 31, 2023: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WALTER MARLOWE | SECTRY AND WEF EXEC DIR (THRU 05/23) Officer | 37.5 | $354,268 | $52,843 |
| KATHLEEN WAUGH | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Key employee | 37.5 | $248,525 | $32,157 |
| BARRY LINER | CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $158,377 | $49,599 |
| ANDREA PELLEGRINO | MANAGING DIR. MSHIP, MKTING & COMMS Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $154,905 | $39,744 |
| STEPHANIE JONES | MANAGING DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL DEV. Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $166,739 | $25,916 |
| LARISSA HANPETER | MANAGING DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $166,644 | $19,455 |
| CARI MCBRIDE | ACCOUNT MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 37.5 | $153,658 | $29,747 |
| KAREN POWDERLY | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Key employee | 37.5 | $153,818 | $22,213 |
| JAMIE EICHENBERGER | PRES. & IMM PAST PRES. (BEG 10/22) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $2,142 | $0 |
| HOWARD CARTER | TRUSTEE & VP (BEG 10/22) Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $919 | $0 |
| LYNN BROADDUS | PAST PRESIDENT (THRU 10/22) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $891 | $0 |
| IFETAYO VENNER | PRES. ELECT & PRES. (BEG 10/22) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| AIMEE KILLEEN | VP & PRESIDENT-ELECT (BEG 10/22) Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| KEITH HOBSON | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN TROFATTER | TRUSTEE (THRU 10/22) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JANET CANN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| SHELLIE CHARD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| GUSTAVO GALLO | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DIEGO ROSSO | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN SANDERS | TRUSTEE (BEG 10/22) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| COREY WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE (BEG 10/22) Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 601 WYTHE ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-1919
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- Ralph Exton, 601 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 223141304
- Signed the 990
- Ralph Exton, Executive Director
- Phone
- (703) 684-2400
- Website
- www.wef.org
- Return prepared by
- Rogers & Company PLLC
Mission
WEF's mission is inspiring the water community in pursuit of human and environmental well-being. WEF is a global environmental leader committed to water quality education and technical best practices. WEF connects water professionals; enriches the expertise of water professionals; increases the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provides a platform for water section innovation.
Program accomplishments
- WEFTEC is the most comprehensive gathering of water quality professionals and thought leaders, featuring the sector's leading technical education program; an extensive exhibition showcasing the field's most cutting-edge solutions; and a variety of valuable networking opportunities. WEFTEC provides access to the latest technologies, services and products for those looking to design, build, maintain, or upgrade water management systems and programs.Expenses $7,017,258 · grants $13,219 · revenue $18,383,027
- Technical Programs, Seminars, and Workshops - As the leading source of water quality expertise, WEF is committed to advancing the professional workforce development of the water sector through educational seminars and workshops that focus on environmental, sustainability, and public health topics. WEF provides education to water professionals from over 70 countries at WEFTEC as well as at WEF's specialty conferences. WEF's educational content includes all areas of water resources management, including utility management and operations, collection systems, stormwater, water and wastewater treatment, and biosolids. WEF's commitment to the sustainable development goals focus on safe, sustainable access to clean water and sanitation, innovation and a circular economy. WEF provides in-depth education on biological hazards to wastewater operators through virtual workshops and public health communications platforms, and provided a free update to a manual of practice on safety and security of water resource recovery facilities.Expenses $5,685,108 · grants $11,200 · revenue $1,699,128
- Public Outreach & Advocacy - WEF's public outreach and advocacy programs encompass a broad range of activities intended to better inform the public and policy leaders of critical issues and the vital role water resources play in the everyday lives of citizens. These programs include coordinating all interviews and meetings with media/news outlets, writing and dissemination of all society news releases, training society leaders and members in public communications and effective media relations, providing communications counsel to the Federation's various member associations. WEF's water advocates program empowers WEF members to share knowledge and expertise to inform government decision-makers about the importance of water. Water advocates program helps grassroots communities all of the US speak with a united voice for water to reach out to and connect with elected officials on important water quality issues including aging infrastructure, affordability, and continued economic pressures which have put unprecedented stress on local governments and agencies that provide essential water services.Expenses $2,867,795 · grants $100,869 · revenue $73,442
- Membership Services - Handles customer service operations, membership recruitment and retention, and engagement with customers, members, member associations and affiliated organizations.Expenses $2,393,945 · grants $176,720 · revenue $3,860,289
- Publications and Subscriptions - WEF publishes technical and educational magazines, newsletters, books, technical reports, fact sheets, conference proceedings, and training materials. Water Environment & Technology (WE&T) is the publication professionals read to learn about the latest technologies, trends, and news in water quality. Members receive it monthly as a membership benefit. In addition, the publication is sold on a subscription basis to libraries and other water professionals. WEF publishes digital newsletters, WEFTEC Now and WEF Smartbrief. WEF also publishes Water Environment Research, a peer-reviewed research journal, in partnership with Wiley. WEF publishes an extensive range of peer-reviewed manuals of practice, textbooks, and supplemental texts for classroom use as well as a comprehensive operator training series titled Wastewater Treatment Fundamentals. This training series includes manuals, trainer's kits, companion online training, and study guides. WEF co-publishes Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater with the American Public Health Association and the American Water Works Association. WEF's conference proceedings, magazine features, technical reports, fact sheets, books, and training materials are published on Access Water, WEF's online library.Expenses $2,651,607 · revenue $503,120
- Grants & Contracts - Includes funds used to provide subject matter expertise in the development and updating of multiple wastewater unified facility criteria and unified facility guide specs. CDC funds were received to set up a community of practice for correctional facility wastewater surveillance.Expenses $652,762 · revenue $598,161
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 August, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | August 31, 2026 | January 15, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | August 31, 2025 | January 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | August 31, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 53-0225129
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1962
- Accounting year ends
- August
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C022)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $52,285,827
- Income (IRS master file)
- $31,977,944
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | August 2025 | $31,015,734 | $28,586,705 | $52,285,827 | XML |
| 990-T | August 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2024 | $31,872,253 | $32,815,938 | $46,444,932 | IRS |
| 990-T | August 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2023 | $26,779,126 | $27,924,125 | $41,273,797 | XML |
| 990-T | August 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2022 | $23,632,520 | $26,240,078 | $39,764,439 | IRS |
| 990-T | August 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | August 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 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 53-0225129).
Questions about WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION
- What is the EIN of WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION is 53-0225129.
- Is WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1962.
- Are donations to WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 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 WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending August 31, 2026) is due January 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended August 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 names Ralph Exton.
- Who are the officers and directors of WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION?
- The 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 lists 25 people; 11 received compensation from the organization, the highest $223,058 (Jonathan K Ikeda, Chief Mission Officer).
- How much revenue does WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION have?
- On its 990 for the year ended August 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $31,015,734, expenses of $28,586,705 and total assets of $52,285,827 at year end.
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