Passes our checks

Lakeside Legacy Foundation

EIN 33-1006907 · Crystal Lake, IL

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

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE DOLE MANSION AND LAKESIDE PROPERTY FOR COMMUNITY USE IN A NATURAL AND HISTORIC SETTING

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
0 of 35
Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
25 of 25
12 of 12 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
7 of 7
Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5
Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10
Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$832,214 spent. THE ENTITY SEEKS TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE DOLE MANSION AND LAKESIDE ARTS PARK FOR THE COMMUNITY TO EXPERIENCE . LLF HAS ACHIEVED AND CONTINUED TO DO SO BY OFFERING ARTISTS STUDIOS AND EVENT RENTAL SPACE FOR THEM TO EDUCATE OR CREATE THEIR OWN INSPIRING WORKS. THE ENTITY HAD 48 STUDIOS OF WHICH 28 WERE OCCUPIED BY ARTISTS OF ALL GENRE(I.E PAINTERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, MUSICIANS AND RECORDING ARTISTS).
FARMERS MARKET AT THE DOLE IS AN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR MARKET EXPERIENCE THAT BEGAN IN 2021. THE MARKET SUPPORTS THE PRESERVATION EFFORTS OF THE HISTORIC PROPERTY WHILE SUPPORTING LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES, MUSICIANS AND OTHER ARTISTS. IT ALSO FEATURES CHILDREN'S ATTRACTIONS AND LIVE MUSIC. THE PROGRAM SERVES BETWEEN 1500-3000 GUESTS IN THE SUMMER OUTDOORS AND BETWEEN 500-750 PEOPLE INDOORS DURING NOVEMBER-APRIL.
$22,867 spent. THE ENTITY ALSO HAS OTHER PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE 1ST FRIDAY ART SHOWN WHERE LOCAL ARTISTS SHOWCASE THEIR WORK IN THE SAGE AND DOLE GALLERY. IT ALSO HAS THE LISTENING ROOM WHICH HOSTS PERFORMANCES OF MUSICAL ARTISTS ACROSS DIFFERENT GENRES. THE ENTITY REMODELED THE LOUS LOUNGE IN 2022 AND HAD IT OPEN TO PUBLIC EVENTS IN 2023.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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? 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.
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 October 2002.
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.

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