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Otsego 2000 Inc

EIN 11-2654945 · Cooperstown, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OTSEGO 2000 CELEBRATES, PROTECTS, AND ENHANCES THE ENVIRONMENTAL, AGRICULTURAL, CULTURAL, SCENIC, AND HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GREATER OTSEGO LAKE REGION. AS A 'FIRST RESPONDER' ON ENVIRONMENTAL, SUSTAINABILITY, AND COMMUNITY ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE REGION'S QUALITY OF LIFE, OTSEGO 2000 ENDEAVORS TO ENSURE HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC FUTURES FOR PRESENT AND COMING GENERATIONS THROUGH INFORMED ADVOCACY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, INNOVATIVE PROJECTS, AND IDEAS FOR ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT.

Income
$448,659
Spending
$456,857
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
14.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
4
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$82,249, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    12 of 15

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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. ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE AND STEWARDSHIP: OTSEGO 2000'S WORK IN ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE AND STEWARDSHIP EMBODIES ITS ROLE OF FIRST RESPONDER FOR THE REGION WHENEVER AN ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT EMERGES. THUS, EDS PROGRAM PRIORITIES ARE GENERALLY DICTATED BY OUTSIDE FACTORS AND ARE REACTIVE TO THE EXTENT THAT, AS SOON AS A POSSIBLE THREAT TO THE REGION'S AIR, WATER, LANDS OR THE OTSEGO LAKE VIEWSHED IS PERCEIVED, OTSEGO 2000 CONDUCTS THE NECESSARY RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE THREAT AND HOW BEST TO COMBAT IT. THROUGH RESEARCH, PUBLIC OUTREACH, PARTICIPATION IN THE PUBLIC PROJECT PLANNING PROCESS AND EDUCATION OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AND VOTERS, OTSEGO 2000 APPLIES ALL ITS RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THE OTSEGO LAKE REGION IS PROTECTED.
  2. $316,857 spent. SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: OTSEGO 2000 BELIEVES THAT THE OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE OTSEGO LAKE REGION DEPENDS HEAVILY ON A DIVERSE, SUSTAINABLE, YEAR-ROUND ECONOMY THAT EMPHASIZES SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND A ROBUST REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM, A VIBRANT YEAR-ROUND CULTURAL LIFE, AND SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING THE PROFILE OF THE REGION AS A DESTINATION FOR HERITAGE TOURISTS AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS. TO THAT END, OTSEGO 2000 HAS TAKEN THE LEAD OVER THE YEARS IN DEVELOPING PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT CONTRIBUTE MATERIALLY TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE REGION. THESE INCLUDE THE COOPERSTOWN FARMERS' MARKET, GLIMMERGLASS FILM DAYS, AND WWW.OTSEGOOUTDOORS.ORG.
  3. $3,809 spent. REGIONAL HERITAGE/HISTORIC PRESERVATION: HISTORIC LANDSCAPES, VILLAGES, HAMLETS, AND BUILDINGS ARE INTEGRAL TO THE OTSEGO LAKE REGION'S IDENTITY AND ENVIRONMENT. OTSEGO 2000 SUPPORTS AND PROTECTS HISTORIC DISTRICTS AND HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF LANDMARKS AND STRUCTURES, PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO PROPERTY OWNERS ON FEDERAL AND STATE PRESERVATION TAX CREDIT PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, 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 March 2025.

    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 March 1984.

    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.