Finger Lakes Cultural & Natural History Museum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE APPRECIATION AND CELEBRATE THE CULTURES AND ECOLOGY OF THE VAST FINGER LAKES REGION.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $846,952
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- -16.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $95,000, executive dir.
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
Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 72% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 19 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 (3)
- $624,196 spent. The Saunders Finger Lakes Museum maintains a strong presence in its immediate and regional communities. The organization receives significant support from volunteers, businesses, foundations, and private donors from across the Finger Lakes region. The Museum Staff and Board of Trustees oversee the programming/experiences, operations, capital fundraising, and the major construction project (new exhibit building) throughout the year. The expenses incurred are to build the new exhibit building, carry out new and maintain existing programs/experiences, enhance existing campus assets and amenities, and cover day-to-day operations and capital campaign work.
- The Saunders Finger Lakes Museum (SFLM) focused on the following efforts throughout 2024: capital project construction and consultants, programs/experiences, and campus assets. 1) Capital Project - Under the supervision of the construction management team, the new main exhibit building structure was erected with foundations, infrastructure, steel framing, roof, insulation and exterior weatherization, interior framing, and partial in-ground utilities. 2) Capital Project Consultants - a) Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering Consultants - finalized plaza features surrounding the new Exhibit building and developed full site plans for site entrances, walkways, parking, and landscaping. b) Exhibit Design Teams provided conceptual designs for phase 2 - Backscape work and supported the campaign efforts with graphics and videos showcasing the exhibits in the new exhibit building. c) Architectural Teams performed ongoing construction supervision to ensure structure was being built to the specifications outlined. Minimal change orders were issued during work performed in 2024.
- The SFLM installed a new, EZ Dock/Launch along the shore of Sugar Creek which runs through the museum's campus. This new EZ Dock features an easy-to-use ADA transfer bench and drive-through launch that allows people with disabilities, children, or seniors to feel confident in transferring into their watercraft independently and provides extra stability when launching and docking. This dock also has a curbing feature that provides a safe border around the dock edges for wheelchairs. This dock provided incredible ease for paddlers of all ages! The Museum also installed automatic locking systems at its Creekside restroom facilities with seasonal timed access from 7am7pm. This new feature ensured that the new public restrooms were consistently open when residents, visitors, and program participants needed them most. This approach made the new launch and overall facilities a sought after destination for individuals who enjoy paddling on their own time and with their own boats. Along with the enhancements at the Creekside Center, the Museum's main campus had on display its outdoor 11 Lakes exhibit (an exhibit highlighting key cultural and natural history stories from each of the 11 Finger Lakes), provided upgrades to the children's natural playscape and storywalk, and enhanced site landscaping. On the Museum's 16-acre wetland parcel, also known as the Townsend Grady Wildlife Preserve, the trails and boardwalk continued to be a draw and attraction for locals and guest to explore. The SFLM pursued securing a permit with the DEC looking to expand their dock at the lakeside octagon pavilion located at the southernmost tip of their wetland property. Those discussions are ongoing and final approval was still pending at the EOY 2024. The Museum's programs/experience throughout the 2024 year included: public and private paddling programs (sunset paddles, paddling lessons, paddling instructor certification classes, youth training classes, private paddles for families, scout, and school groups), school group excursions, fitness classes, musical performances, and community and private events accommodating all age groups.
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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.