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Belle Isle Conservancy

EIN 23-7348118 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION THE MISSION OF THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY (THE ORGANIZATION) IS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, RESTORE, AND ENHANCE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND UNIQUE CHARACTER OF BELLE ISLE AS A PUBLIC PARK FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL - NOW AND FOREVER. THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO BRING PRIVATE SUPPORT TO BELLE ISLE, AND WORKS CLOSELY WITH ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, MAKING FOR A UNIQUE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ON BEHALF OF THE PARK. WORKING WITH A LEGION OF VOLUNTEERS AND GENEROUS DONORS, THE ORGANIZATION HAS SUCCESSFULLY RENOVATED THE HISTORIC HORSE STABLES ROOF, UPGRADED AMENITIES AT SUNSET POINT, REOPENED THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM, SUPPORTED SPECIAL PROJECTS AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE CONSERVATORY, RESTORED MONUMENTS, RAISED MATCHING DOLLARS FOR VARIOUS GRANTS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE PARK, ORGANIZED THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS TO TACKLE INVASIVE SPECIES AT THAT PARK AND TO KEEP THE PARK AND ITS WATERWAYS FREE OF LITTER, PROVIDED PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNIT

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
9.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
16
Volunteers
1,345
Highest pay
$146,697, coo

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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

    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.

  • 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. $819,251 spent. BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY: THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY OPENED IN 1904 AND REMAINS ONE OF DETROIT'S CULTURAL JEWELS. THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM DELIGHTED VISITORS FOR OVER A CENTURY BEFORE THE CITY CLOSED IT IN 2005 DUE TO BUDGET REDUCTIONS. IN 2012, THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY NEGOTIATED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CITY OF DETROIT TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR OPENING THE AQUARIUM. THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUES TO OPERATE UNDER THAT AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN NOW MANAGING THE PARK INSTEAD OF THE CITY. SINCE THE CONSERVANCY'S MANAGEMENT BEGAN IN 2012 OVER 6 MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN INVESTED INTO THE FACILITY TO ENSURE IT'S SAFETY AND LONG-TERM VIABILITY. HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS SUCH AS THE RESTORATION OF THE FAMED CEILING TILES, REPAIRING THE COPPER ROOF OF THE THE BUILDING, REPAIRING AND RESTORING PLASTER ELEMENTS IN THE BUILDING, REOPENING THE ORIGINAL SKYLIGHTS IN THE BUILDING, AND FABRICATING THE ORIGINAL LIGHTING IN THE BUILDING HAVE ALL HELPED KEEP IMPORTANT ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS OF THE BUILDING ALIVE. ADDITIONALLY, THE AQUARIUM EXHIBITS HAVE BEEN RENOVATED WITH NEEDED REPAIRS SUCH AS GLASS, MODERN FILTRATION AND WATER SYSTEMS, MODERN PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, AND CONCRETE REPAIR THROUGHOUT. MANY OF THE BUILDINGS MECHANICAL SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO INCREASING THE BUILDINGS GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAVE OR REUSE WATER. CURRENTLY A MAJOR HVAC SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION IS UNDERWAY FOR THE AQUARIUM. AQUARIUM WELCOMES AROUND 180,000 VISITORS EACH YEAR, ALL FREE OF CHARGE. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THE CONSERVANCY HAS CURATED AN EXCEPTIONAL VISITOR ENGAGEMENT AND INTERPRETATION EXPERIENCE FOR OUR VISITORS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND AND BECOME EXCITED ABOUT THE CONSERVATION OF AQUATIC LIFE AND HABITATS. THE CONSERVANCY ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THE ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY. THE STATE OF MICHIGAN MANAGES THE CONSERVATORY, BUT LEANS ON THE CONSERVANCY VOLUNTEERS TO FACILITATE FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS, LEAD TOURS,SUPPORT SCHEDULING, TRAIN DOCENTS AND INTERPRETERS, FACILITATE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, SUPPLEMENT THE PLANT COLLECTIONS WITH ADDITIONAL FLOWERS AND PLANTS, AND HELP IN THE FUND RAISING OF MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS,MOST NOTABLY THE RESTORATION OF THE CONSERVATORY'S MAIN DOME. BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY: THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY OPENED IN 1904 AND REMAINS ONE OF DETROIT'S CULTURAL JEWELS. THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM DELIGHTED VISITORS FOR OVER A CENTURY BEFORE THE CITY CLOSED IT IN 2005 DUE TO BUDGET REDUCTIONS. IN 2012, THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY NEGOTIATED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CITY OF DETROIT TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR OPENING THE AQUARIUM. THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUES TO OPERATE UNDER THAT AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN NOW MANAGING THE PARK INSTEAD OF THE CITY. SINCE THE CONSERVANCY'S MANAGEMENT BEGAN IN 2012 OVER 6 MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN INVESTED INTO THE FACILITY TO ENSURE IT'S SAFETY AND LONG-TERM VIABILITY. HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS SUCH AS THE RESTORATION OF THE FAMED CEILING TILES, REPAIRING THE COPPER ROOF OF THE THE BUILDING, REPAIRING AND RESTORING PLASTER ELEMENTS IN THE BUILDING, REOPENING THE ORIGINAL SKYLIGHTS IN THE BUILDING, AND FABRICATING THE ORIGINAL LIGHTING IN THE BUILDING HAVE ALL HELPED KEEP IMPORTANT ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS OF THE BUILDING ALIVE. ADDITIONALLY, THE AQUARIUM EXHIBITS HAVE BEEN RENOVATED WITH NEEDED REPAIRS SUCH AS GLASS, MODERN FILTRATION AND WATER SYSTEMS, MODERN PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, AND CONCRETE REPAIR THROUGHOUT. MANY OF THE BUILDINGS MECHANICAL SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO INCREASING THE BUILDINGS GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAVE OR REUSE WATER. CURRENTLY A MAJOR HVAC SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION IS UNDERWAY FOR THE AQUARIUM. AQUARIUM WELCOMES AROUND 180,000 VISITORS EACH YEAR, ALL FREE OF CHARGE. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THE CONSERVANCY HAS CURATED AN EXCEPTIONAL VISITOR ENGAGEMENT AND INTERPRETATION EXPERIENCE FOR OUR VISITORS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND AND BECOME EXCITED ABOUT THE CONSERVATION OF AQUATIC LIFE AND HABITATS. THE CONSERVANCY ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THE ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY. THE STATE OF MICHIGAN MANAGES THE CONSERVATORY, BUT LEANS ON THE CONSERVANCY VOLUNTEERS TO FACILITATE FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS, LEAD TOURS,SUPPORT SCHEDULING, TRAIN DOCENTS AND INTERPRETERS, FACILITATE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, SUPPLEMENT THE PLANT COLLECTIONS WITH ADDITIONAL FLOWERS AND PLANTS, AND HELP IN THE FUND RAISING OF MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS,MOST NOTABLY THE RESTORATION OF THE CONSERVATORY'S MAIN DOME.
  2. $57,188 spent. HISTORIC PRESERVATION: PRESERVING THE BUILDINGS, FOUNTAINS, STATUES, HISTORIC LANDSCAPE AND OTHER HISTORIC AMENITIES OF BELLE ISLE PARK; INCLUDES PLANNING, RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY RAISES PRIVATE SUPPORT FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY OF DETROIT AND THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. IN 2012, THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY RAISED FUNDS FOR A COMPLETE RESTORATION OF THE ROOF OF THE HORSE STABLES, A LARGE COMPLEX DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT GEORGE MASON IN THE 1920'S. THE CLAY TILE ROOF WAS COMPLETELY REPAIRED AND WHERE NECESSARY, REBUILT, ENSURING THE PRESERVATION OF THE BUILDING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN A PROMINENT AREA OF THE PARK. ANOTHER MAJOR PROJECT HAS BEEN RAISING FUNDS TO REPLACE THE PEWABIC TILES IN THE JAMES SCOTT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN. THE CONSERVANCY HAS ALSO SUPPORTED THE CITY'S EFFORT TO RENEW THE NATIONAL REGISTER FOR HISTORIC PLACES DESIGNATION FOR BELLE ISLE, THROUGH DOCUMENTATION, RESEARCH AND PUBLIC MEETINGS. THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY HAS ACTED AS A FIDUCIARY FOR THE CITY OF DETROIT FOR STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE GRANTS TO RESTORE THE NANCY BROWN PEACE CARILLON TOWER WHICH IS IN DISREPAIR, AND TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF RECONNECTING THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY, AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED BY ALBERT KAHN IN THE EARLY 1900S. CONSERVANCY VOLUNTEERS CONSTANTLY MONITOR THE CONDITION OF BELLE ISLE STRUCTURES, STREETLIGHTS, FOOTPATH BRIDGES OVER THE CANALS AND OTHER STRUCTURES AND REPORT PROBLEMS TO BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY, THE CITY OF DETROIT AND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HISTORIC PRESERVATION: PRESERVING THE BUILDINGS, FOUNTAINS, STATUES, HISTORIC LANDSCAPE AND OTHER HISTORIC AMENITIES OF BELLE ISLE PARK; INCLUDES PLANNING, RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY RAISES PRIVATE SUPPORT FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY OF DETROIT AND THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. IN 2012, THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY RAISED FUNDS FOR A COMPLETE RESTORATION OF THE ROOF OF THE HORSE STABLES, A LARGE COMPLEX DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT GEORGE MASON IN THE 1920'S. THE CLAY TILE ROOF WAS COMPLETELY REPAIRED AND WHERE NECESSARY, REBUILT, ENSURING THE PRESERVATION OF THE BUILDING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN A PROMINENT AREA OF THE PARK. ANOTHER MAJOR PROJECT HAS BEEN RAISING FUNDS TO REPLACE THE PEWABIC TILES IN THE JAMES SCOTT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN. THE CONSERVANCY HAS ALSO SUPPORTED THE CITY'S EFFORT TO RENEW THE NATIONAL REGISTER FOR HISTORIC PLACES DESIGNATION FOR BELLE ISLE, THROUGH DOCUMENTATION, RESEARCH AND PUBLIC MEETINGS. THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY HAS ACTED AS A FIDUCIARY FOR THE CITY OF DETROIT FOR STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE GRANTS TO RESTORE THE NANCY BROWN PEACE CARILLON TOWER WHICH IS IN DISREPAIR, AND TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF RECONNECTING THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY, AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED BY ALBERT KAHN IN THE EARLY 1900S. CONSERVANCY VOLUNTEERS CONSTANTLY MONITOR THE CONDITION OF BELLE ISLE STRUCTURES, STREETLIGHTS, FOOTPATH BRIDGES OVER THE CANALS AND OTHER STRUCTURES AND REPORT PROBLEMS TO BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY, THE CITY OF DETROIT AND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
  3. $150,641 spent. THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY'S EDUCATION AND VISITOR ENGAGEMENT TEAM INSPIRES A LIFETIME OF CURIOSITY, PASSION, AND STEWARDSHIP FOR AQUATIC AND PLANT ECOSYSTEMS IN PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE ON-SITE FIELD TRIPS FOR THIRD THROUGH FIFTH GRADERS AT THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY AND PRIVATE TOURS FOR ADULTS AND SENIORS.
  4. $136,853 spent. ALL OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: ARE THOSE SERVICES THAT IMPROVE BELLE ISLE PARK FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL, BUT ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED UNDER HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AQUARIUM AND CONSERVATORY, OR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ( I.E. REGULAR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, CONSULTING SERVICES, ETC.). VOLUNTEER SERVICES: THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY RECRUITS, MANAGES, AND TRAINS VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE SERVING AT BELLE ISLE PARK. THESE VOLUNTEERS WORK IN MYRIAD CAPACITIES SUCH AS FACILITY GREETERS AT THE AQUARIUM AND CONSERVATORY, STEWARDSHIP VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP KEEP THE PARK CLEAN AND SAFE, EDUCATIONAL VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP US IMPLEMENT OUR EDUCATIONAL FIELDTRIPS, EVENT VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP TO PLAN AND FACILITATE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS, COMMUNITY VOULNTEERS, STEWARDS, AND MORE. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS AT THE HEART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK AND GREATLY SUPPORTS THE WORK OF MDNR AND THE CITY OF DETROIT.IT IS ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND THE PRIORITIES OF RESIDENTS WHO OWN THIS BELOVED PUBLIC SPACE AND THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY PRIDES ITSELF ON NOT ONLY STRONG ENGAGEMENT DURING PLANNING PROCESSES, BUT A CONSISTENTLY OPEN "FRONT DOOR" TO HEAR FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES ON A DAILY BASIS. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: BELLE ISLE'S 982 ACRES INCLUDE A LARGE WETLAND FOREST, A SYSTEM OF CANALS AND INTERIOR LAKES IN THIS PARK THAT IS ITSELF AN ISLAND, AND TREES AND OTHER PLANTINGS THROUGHOUT THE HEAVILY USED PICNIC AND PLAYGROUND AREAS. THROUGH THE CONSERVANCY'S KEEP BELLE ISLE BEAUTIFUL PROGRAM WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MOBILIZE HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS EACH YEAR TO HELP KEEP THE ISLAND, IT'S WATERWAYS, AND THE DETROIT RIVER FREE OF HARMFUL RUBBISH AND MICROPLASTICS. IN 2019, WITH HELP FROM THE EPA, THE CONSERVANCY GREW THIS PROGRAM TO FORM THE BI-NATIONAL DETROIT RIVER COALITION, A GROUP OF ENTITIES IN CANADA AND DETROIT HELPING TO PRESERVE OUR WATERWAYS. OVER 50,000 DAFFODILS HAVE BEEN PLANTED THROUGHOUT THE PARK THROUGH A VOLUNTEER EFFORT AND WITH SUPPORT FROM THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. STUDENTS THAT ATTEND OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING ALSO HELP IN MONITORING THE VERNAL PONDS ON THE ISLAND AND ASSIST IN WATER COLLECTION AND TESTING IN THE CANALS OF THE ISLAND. WE ALSO COORDINATE WITH THE MDNR ON SUPPORTING THE STRONGEST ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES FOR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND SHORELINE WORK FOR ANY CAPTIAL INITIATIVE UNDERWAY.
  5. ALL OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: ARE THOSE SERVICES THAT IMPROVE BELLE ISLE PARK FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL, BUT ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED UNDER HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AQUARIUM AND CONSERVATORY, OR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ( I.E. REGULAR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, CONSULTING SERVICES, ETC.). VOLUNTEER SERVICES: THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY RECRUITS, MANAGES, AND TRAINS VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE SERVING AT BELLE ISLE PARK. THESE VOLUNTEERS WORK IN MYRIAD CAPACITIES SUCH AS FACILITY GREETERS AT THE AQUARIUM AND CONSERVATORY, STEWARDSHIP VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP KEEP THE PARK CLEAN AND SAFE, EDUCATIONAL VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP US IMPLEMENT OUR EDUCATIONAL FIELDTRIPS, EVENT VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP TO PLAN AND FACILITATE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS, COMMUNITY VOULNTEERS, STEWARDS, AND MORE. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS AT THE HEART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK AND GREATLY SUPPORTS THE WORK OF MDNR AND THE CITY OF DETROIT.IT IS ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND THE PRIORITIES OF RESIDENTS WHO OWN THIS BELOVED PUBLIC SPACE AND THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY PRIDES ITSELF ON NOT ONLY STRONG ENGAGEMENT DURING PLANNING PROCESSES, BUT A CONSISTENTLY OPEN "FRONT DOOR" TO HEAR FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES ON A DAILY BASIS. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: BELLE ISLE'S 982 ACRES INCLUDE A LARGE WETLAND FOREST, A SYSTEM OF CANALS AND INTERIOR LAKES IN THIS PARK THAT IS ITSELF AN ISLAND, AND TREES AND OTHER PLANTINGS THROUGHOUT THE HEAVILY USED PICNIC AND PLAYGROUND AREAS. THROUGH THE CONSERVANCY'S KEEP BELLE ISLE BEAUTIFUL PROGRAM WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MOBILIZE HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS EACH YEAR TO HELP KEEP THE ISLAND, IT'S WATERWAYS, AND THE DETROIT RIVER FREE OF HARMFUL RUBBISH AND MICROPLASTICS. IN 2019, WITH HELP FROM THE EPA, THE CONSERVANCY GREW THIS PROGRAM TO FORM THE BI-NATIONAL DETROIT RIVER COALITION, A GROUP OF ENTITIES IN CANADA AND DETROIT HELPING TO PRESERVE OUR WATERWAYS. OVER 50,000 DAFFODILS HAVE BEEN PLANTED THROUGHOUT THE PARK THROUGH A VOLUNTEER EFFORT AND WITH SUPPORT FROM THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. STUDENTS THAT ATTEND OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING ALSO HELP IN MONITORING THE VERNAL PONDS ON THE ISLAND AND ASSIST IN WATER COLLECTION AND TESTING IN THE CANALS OF THE ISLAND. WE ALSO COORDINATE WITH THE MDNR ON SUPPORTING THE STRONGEST ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES FOR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND SHORELINE WORK FOR ANY CAPTIAL INITIATIVE UNDERWAY.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 February 1974.

    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.