Detroit Mountain Recreation Area Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 52 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
PROMOTE SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL RECREATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMING TO DEVELOP THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $2.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 90%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 250
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 51% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 52 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 April 30, 2025, 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)
- $1.4 million spent. PROVIDE WINTER RECREATION 5 DAYS A WEEK BEGINNING AFTER THANKSGIVING THRU MARCH, NORDIC SKI AND BIKE TRAILS ACCESSIBLE 7 DAYS PER WEEK DAWN TO DUSK; MILITARY DISCOUNTS FOR ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES; TARGETED PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN; LESSONS; HOST SITE FOR DETROIT LAKES HIGH SCHOOL NORDIC SKI AND ALPINE SKI TEAMS; HOST MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL ALPINE SKI MEETS; SKI ANGEL PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH FINANCIAL NEED TO OBTAIN PASSES, RENTALS AND INSTRUCTIONS AT REDUCED COST; PARTNER WITH LOCAL NON-PROFITS TO PROVIDE ACCESS; FREE LESSONS FOR FIRST TIME SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS.
- $476,089 spent. OFFER 20 MILES OF BIKING AND HIKING TRAILS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK DAWN TO DUSK MID MAY THROUGH OCTOBER; AGES 2 AND UP; OPEN ACCESS FOR NON PROFIT GROUPS TO PARTICIPATE IN BADGE ACHIEVEMENT; OPEN ACCESS FOR DETROIT LAKES HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING PRACTICE; OUTDOOR SUMMER RECREATION AT NO CHARGE, TEACHING MOUNTAIN BIKING SKILLS AND PROPER NUTRITION FOR ACTIVE LIVING.PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS ACCESS TO ALL ACTIVITIES THE MOUNTAIN PROVIDES TO AT RISK, UNDERPRIVILEGED AND SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AT LOW OR NO COST; HOSTS CITIZEN MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE WITH MINNESOTA MOUNTAIN BIKE SERIES AND HIGH SCHOOL RACE WITH MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL CYCLING LEAGUE.
- OPEN ACCESS FOR DETROIT LAKES COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL CENTER PROGRAMMING FOR YOGA ON THE MOUNTAIN AND BOOT CAMP; WOMEN'S MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILL DEVELOPMENT CLINICS, MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILL DEVELOPMENT CLINICS; OPEN ACCESS FOR MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL CYCLING LEAGUE;OFFER A NATURAL PLAY SETTING AT NO COST WITH ROCK AND LOG INTERACTIVE FEATURES THAT ALLOW FOR CURIOSITY AND EXPLORATORY PLAY FOR ANY AGE.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 April 2025.
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 April 2011.
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 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.