Progress Lakeshore Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO ASSIST LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THEIR GROWTH IN THE MANITOWOC COUNTY AREA AND TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES TO THE MANITOWOC COUNTY AREA.
- Income
- $298,559
- Spending
- $351,328
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $78,528, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (6)
- EXCELLENCE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARDS BREAKFAST IS A CELEBRATION TO RECOGNIZE BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO CREATE A POSITIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE IN MANITOWOC COUNTY. THERE ARE 5 AWARD CATEGORIES: (1) ENTREPRENEURIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, (2) NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT AWARD, (3) CORPORATE INVESTMENT AWARD, (4) ECONOMIC ACCELERATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD, AND (5) COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT AWARD. THIS EVENT DREW APPROXIMATELY 155 PEOPLE, AND 12 AWARDS WERE GIVEN OUT (EACH CATEGORY HAD A WINNER AND AT LEAST ONE HONORABLE MENTION). GUESTS WHO ATTENDED RECEIVED A PROGRAM BOOKLET SUMMARIZING ALL 28 NOMINEES' STORY.
- STRIVING TO SUPPORT THE SUCCESS OF OUR EARLY-STAGE BUSINESSES, PROGRESS LAKESHORE OFFERS A BUSINESS MENTORING PROGRAM CALLED CIRCLES OF 7, OR C7. BASED ON THE IDEA THAT BUSINESSES LEARN BEST FROM EACH OTHER, A SEASONED LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER IS ASSIGNED TO A GROUP OF SIX EARLY-STAGE BUSINESSES TO FORM A MENTOR-PROTEGE SUPPORT CIRCLE. EACH CIRCLE MEETS MONTHLY FOR NINE MONTHS TO COVER A SPECIFIC CURRICULUM AND OTHER TOPICS BASED ON PARTICIPANTS' NEEDS. THIS PROGRAM RAN FROM SEPTEMBER 2024 - MAY 2025. WE HAD ONE CIRCLE.
- SHORTER THAN OUR ETP COURSE, OUR ENTREPRENEURIAL BOOT CAMPS ARE DESIGNED TO BE A STARTING POINT FOR EXPLORING THE MINDSET, RESOURCES AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT ENTREPRENEURS NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN STARTING A BUSINESS. IN 2024, WE HAD 29 PARTICIPANTS BETWEEN OUR FOUR BOOT CAMPS. WE HAD A GENERAL BUSINESS BOOT CAMP AND THREE FOCUSED BOOT CAMPS ON NON-PROFIT, CHILDCARE AND FOOD.
- PERFECT YOUR PITCH IS A SERIES OF VIDEOS DESIGNED TO HELP BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS NAIL DOWN THEIR ELEVATOR PITCH, PERFECT SPEAKING IN PUBLIC, AND LEARN THE BASICS OF PITCHING A BUSINESS IDEA, IN PREPARATION FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR ANNUAL LEVEL UP PITCH CONTEST. THE LEVEL UP PITCH CONTEST IS PRESENTED BY PROGRESS LAKESHORE AND REGIONAL PARTNERS. THE EVENT INCLUDES A PITCH BY EACH ENTREPRENEUR AND A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER PERIOD WITH LOCAL JUDGES. WINNER(S) RECEIVE PRIZE MONEY AND SERVICES. THIS EVENT OFFERS IN PERSON AND LIVE-STREAM VIEWING OPTIONS.THE LEVEL UP PITCH CONTEST HAD 8 PARTICIPANTS. WINNERS (FIRST AND SECOND) WENT ON TO COMPETE AT THE REGIONAL PITCH EVENT.
- OUR ENTREPRENEUR TRAINING PROGRAM IS AN IMMERSIVE COURSE OFFERED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WISCONSIN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER. THE EIGHT-WEEK SESSIONS EQUIP ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS TO START AND GROW SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES. PARTICIPANTS ARE PROVIDED WITH INFORMATION, TIPS, EXERCISES, AND TOOLS TO HELP EVALUATE THEIR BUSINESS IDEAS AND DEVELOP THEIR BUSINESS PLANS. THERE WERE 17 INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPANTED IN THIS PROGRAM. THREE OF THE BUSINESSES COMPETED IN OUR PITCH CONTEST AS WELL.
- FOUNDERS CONNECTION BRINGS TOGETHER SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO CONNECT, EXPAND NETWORKS AND GAIN VALUABLE INSIGHTS THAT CAN PROPEL BUSINESSES FORWARD. THE EVENING HIGHLIGHTS LESSONS LEARNED FROM A LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR'S JOURNEY OR A RESOURCE FOR ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES SMALL BUSINESSES MAY FACE. CONVERSATIONS TAKE PLACE OVER COFFEE, AND THE EVENT CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR NETWORKING WITH A PURPOSE. NETWORKING EVENTS ARE HELD QUARTERLY. THERE WAS A GRAND TOTAL OF 37 ATTENDEES BETWEEN ALL 4 OF THE EVENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
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? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 December 2005.
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.