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Friends of Point Betsies Lighthouse Inc

EIN 37-1451508 · Frankfort, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVISE, GUIDE, AND ASSIST IN EFFECTIVELY RESTORING, MAINTAINING, AND DEVELOPING THE POINT BETSIE LIGHTHOUSE PROPERTIES AND ITS OUTBUILDINGS. TO PROMOTE OPEN ACCESS BY PUBLIC CITIZENS, AND TO ASSIST IN MAKING THE LIGHTHOUSE SUCCESSFUL AS AN EDUCATIONAL FACILITY.

Income
$294,894
Spending
$377,405
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 39%
Employees
10
Volunteers
30

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $204,239 spent. EDUCATION OF THE COMMUNITY IS PROVIDED IN THE HISTORY OF POINT BETSIE LIGHTHOUSE, OTHER LIGHTHOUSES, THE MARITIME LIFE SAVING SERVICE AND THE ECOLOGY OF THE AREA. TOURS WERE CONDUCTED DURING THE SEASON FOR AN ESTIMATED 8,000 PEOPLE. FUNDS WERE COLLECTED TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AND TO ASSIST IN FUTURE RESTORATION PROJECTS.
  2. $150,295 spent. LIGHT HOUSE MAINTENANCE AND RENOVATION EXPENSES IN ORDER TO KEEP THE LIGHT HOUSE IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION AND TO ACCOMMODATE VISITORS THROUGHOUT THE OPEN SEASON (MEMORIAL DAY - MID- OCTOBER)
  3. LIGHT HOUSE MAINTENANCE AND RENOVATION EXPENSES IN ORDER TO KEEP THE LIGHT HOUSE IN GOOD OPERATING CONDITION AND TO ACCOMMODATE VISITORS THROUGHOUT THE OPEN SEASON (MEMORIAL DAY - MID- OCTOBER)

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.