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Lake Champlain Community Sailing Center Inc

EIN 03-0342594 · Burlington, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN COMMUNITY SAILING CENTER (CSC) ENCOURAGES AND CELEBRATES THE RESPONSIBLE USE AND LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN BY FOSTERING EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE CSC IS COMMITTED TO ELIMINATING BARRIERS THAT PREVENT ACCESS TO LAKE CHAMPLAIN, OFFERS EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION FOR WHICH COURAGE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS CAN BE DEVELOPED AND PROVIDES AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL PEOPLE TO LEARN SAILING AND PADDLING.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
-1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 38%
Employees
61
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$109,057, executive di

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (5)
  1. $380,281 spent. YOUTH CAMPS - CSC OFFERS SUMMER CAMPS FOR YOUTH AGES 6-17, TEACHING SAILING SKILLS, BOATING SAFETY, AND LAKE STEWARDSHIP. CAMPS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, WITH SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT, AND INCLUDE BOTH SAILING-ONLY AND MULTI-ACTIVITY OPTIONS.
  2. $186,761 spent. LAKE ACCESS - CSC OFFERS A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES BEYOND SAILING, INCLUDING CANOE, KAYAK, AND PADDLEBOARD RENTALS, AS WELL AS YOGA SESSIONS ON THE DOCK. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND VISITORS TO ENGAGE WITH LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND ENJOY THE WATERFRONT.
  3. $266,896 spent. SIGNATURE PROGRAMS - CSC OFFERS PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE LEADERSHIP, INCLUSIVITY, AND EDUCATION THROUGH SAILING, INCLUDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR AT-RISK YOUTH, VERMONT GIRLS, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. ADDITIONALLY, THE FLOATING CLASSROOM ENGAGES STUDENTS IN HANDS-ON, SCIENCE-BASED LEARNING, ENHANCING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH DIRECT EXPERIENCES ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN.
  4. $387,405 spent. PERFORMANCE SAILING - CSC'S PERFORMANCE SAILING PROGRAM TRAINS TEENS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS IN LEADERSHIP, RESPONSIBILITY, AND TEAMWORK THROUGH SAILING. THE PROGRAM FOSTERS COMMUNITY AND STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADULT MENTORS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS RACING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AGES, INCLUDING YOUTH TEAMS AND ADULT DINGHY RACING. ADULT COURSES - CSC'S ADULT INSTRUCTIONAL SAILING PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS TO LEARN TO SAIL WITH CONFIDENCE. OFFERING A VARIETY OF BOATS, INSTRUCTION LEVELS, AND CLASS TIMES, THE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO FIT DIFFERENT PREFERENCES AND SCHEDULES, MAKING IT EASY FOR ANYONE TO GET OUT ON THE WATER. GROUP PROGRAMS - CSC OFFERS CUSTOM-DESIGNED LESSONS, PROGRAMS, AND EVENTS TAILORED TO SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS. THESE EXPERIENCES EMPHASIZE TEAMWORK, ADVENTURE, AND SKILL-BUILDING, WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO LAKE CHAMPLAIN. OPTIONS INCLUDE CORPORATE RETREATS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, KEELBOAT SAILS, AND GROUP PADDLE SESSIONS.
  5. PERFORMANCE SAILING - CSC'S PERFORMANCE SAILING PROGRAM TRAINS TEENS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS IN LEADERSHIP, RESPONSIBILITY, AND TEAMWORK THROUGH SAILING. THE PROGRAM FOSTERS COMMUNITY AND STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADULT MENTORS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERS RACING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AGES, INCLUDING YOUTH TEAMS AND ADULT DINGHY RACING. ADULT COURSES - CSC'S ADULT INSTRUCTIONAL SAILING PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS TO LEARN TO SAIL WITH CONFIDENCE. OFFERING A VARIETY OF BOATS, INSTRUCTION LEVELS, AND CLASS TIMES, THE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO FIT DIFFERENT PREFERENCES AND SCHEDULES, MAKING IT EASY FOR ANYONE TO GET OUT ON THE WATER. GROUP PROGRAMS - CSC OFFERS CUSTOM-DESIGNED LESSONS, PROGRAMS, AND EVENTS TAILORED TO SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS. THESE EXPERIENCES EMPHASIZE TEAMWORK, ADVENTURE, AND SKILL-BUILDING, WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO LAKE CHAMPLAIN. OPTIONS INCLUDE CORPORATE RETREATS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, KEELBOAT SAILS, AND GROUP PADDLE SESSIONS.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.