Lake George Association Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Dedicated to the enduring protection of Lake George water quality, achieved through science-guided action, education, advocacy and productive partnerships.
- Income
- $4.4 million
- Spending
- $3.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- 75.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 209
- Highest pay
- $199,854, former president
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 75.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $1.9 million spent. Lake Science and Solutions:Through individual stream sampling, Lake-wide monitoring programs, data-gathering computers, and data modeling and visual simulations, the Lake George Association staff and its science partners, including the Jefferson Project, are probing into Lake George's chemistry, biology, and atmospheric conditions to understand, anticipate and respond to the unprecedented and escalating pressures of nutrient loading, invasive species, excessive road salt use and global climate change. The Lake George Association provides technical and financial assistance to property owners and municipalities; direct protection programs through an array of public-private partnerships focused on invasive species prevention and treatment, road salt reduction, wastewater and stormwater improvements; and public policy advocacy, all with the goal of protecting Lake George's water quality. This includes monitoring and improving development and protection practices around Lake George to ensure that State and local laws are followed during the environmental regulatory review process.
- $436,118 spent. Education for Action: The Lake George Association's education programming translates basic science and research advances in fields related to freshwater protection into compelling digital and experiential learning programs that connect across three broad constituent groups: professionals and legislators; residential and commercial property owners; and the public (i.e., schoolchildren, teachers, and visitors). The programs provide knowledge and skills that drive actionable outcomes to protect the water quality of Lake George, establishing a model for education designed to inform and engage the diverse constituency required for measurable results and sustaining progress.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1957.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.