Lake Carriers Association
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
The organizations mission is to improve business conditions affecting the Great Lakes shipping industry. Their most significant recent activities involve Canadian ballast water reform,
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $360,765, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $628,874 spent. CANADIAN BALLAST WATER: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)proposed regulations to implement the Vessel Discharge Act. Lake Carriers Association (LCA) hired a lobbying firm to assist it with submitting comments and working through the regulatory process. LCA also hired a lobbying firm to help it pursue a Federal Maritime Commission petition alleging the use of its ballast water regulations by the Canadian Government to discriminate against U.S.-flagged vessels engaged in the binational Great Lakes trade.
- $488,076 spent. NEW ICEBREAKERS: The U.S. Coast Guard continues to lack icebreaking resources to keep the Great Lakes Navigation System operating during the winter months. In addition to economic loss in the region, vessel operators have experienced groundings, propeller damage and hull fractures. Lake Carriers Association (LCA) hired a lobbying firm to help advocate for a new heavy domestic icebreaker for the Great Lakes, and to replace the fleet of domestic medium icebreakers operating on the Great Lakes.
- $293,633 spent. TARRIFS: Multiple labor unions filed a section 301 complaint with the United States Trade Representative alleging foreign government interference in the shipbuilding market. Lake Carriers Association hired a lobbying firm to help navigate the 301 process and advocate for a level playing field in the binational Great Lakes shipping trade.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
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? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 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 May 1922.
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.