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North American Lake Management Society

EIN 01-0372129 · Madison, WI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 127 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO FORGE PARTNERSHIPS AMONG CITIZENS, SCIENTISTS, AND PROFESSIONALS TO FOSTER THE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF LAKES AND RESERVOIRS FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW.

Income
$675,527
Spending
$652,378
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
12.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
2
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$82,654, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 127 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $383,056 spent. CONFERENCES - THE SOCIETY COORDINATES VARIOUS CONFERENCES TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS AND OTHERS TO MEET AND EXCHANGE VIEWS ON TOPICS RELATED TO THE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF LAKES AND RESERVOIRS. IN 2024, APPROXIMATELY 650 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE SOCIETY'S INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM.
  2. $77,151 spent. PUBLICATIONS - THE SOCIETY PRODUCES A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, A SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL, AND A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER AS WELL AS OTHER PUBLICATIONS FOR DISTRIBUTION AND SALE TO MEMBERS AND OTHERS WITH AN INTEREST IN LAKE, RESERVOIR, AND WATERSHED QUALITY ISSUES. APPROXIMATELY 9,000 PUBLICATIONS ARE DISTRIBUTED ANNUALLY.
  3. $34,901 spent. OTHER - THE SOCIETY SPONSORS, COSPONSORS, AND/OR ORGANIZES A NUMBER OF SCIENTIFIC, MANAGEMENT, EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND ADVOCACY PROGRAMS, INCLUDING LAKES APPRECIATION MONTH AND THE SECCHI DIP-IN.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1990.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.