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New York Federation of Lake Association

EIN 22-2529936 · Syracuse, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF NYSFOLA ARE TO PROTECT THE WATER RESOURCES OF NEW YORK THROUGH PUBLIC OUTREACH,RESEARCH, EDUCATION, SHARING INFORMATION, AND PARTNERSHIPS. NYSFOLA IS A NON-PROFIT GROUP OF LAKE ASSOCIATIONS, INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS, PARK DISTRICTS, LAKE MANAGERS, ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND CONSULTANTS DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF NYS LAKES AND WATERSHEDS.

Income
$487,519
Spending
$439,221
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
19.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
2

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 37% 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 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. $199,022 spent. CITIZEN'S STATEWIDE LAKE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (CSLAP) - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NYS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (DEC), VOLUNTEERS MONITOR THE PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF WATER QUALITY IN OVER 100 NYS LAKES. REPORTS ASSESS INDIVIDUAL LAKES AND CONTRIBUTE TO STATEWIDE EVALUATION
  2. $215,211 spent. ANNUAL STATEWIDE AND REGIONAL CONFERENCES GEARED FOR LAKE ASSOCIATIONS, LAKE USERS, AND HOME OWNERS. PROVIDES INFORMATION AND OUTREACH ON VARIOUS TOPICS RELATED TO LAKE ECOLOGY AND PRESERVATION. PRESENTATIONS BY STATE AND ACADEMIC EXPERTS, CONSULTANTS, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM LAKE ASSOCIATIONS
  3. $10 spent. OUTREACH AND INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE NYSFOLA MEMBERSHIP AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES THROUGH NEWSLETTERS, WEBSITE, PERSONAL INTERACTION, AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

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 November 1991.

    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.