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Bay View Association of the United Methodist Church

EIN 38-0333680 · Petoskey, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 32% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO BE AN INSTITUTION IN WHICH CHRISTIAN VALUES AND TRADITIONS ARE CENTRAL; TO ENRICH THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITHIN BAY VIEW AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY THROUGH A SEASONAL PROGRAM OF RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES; TO PROVIDE A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE IN A CHANGING WORLD.

Income
$5.4 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
32%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 66%
Employees
165
Volunteers
450
Highest pay
$107,851, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    32% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 September 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 (4)
  1. $673,909 spent. PERFORMING ARTS THE PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM PROVIDES INSPIRATION AND CULTURAL GROWTH THROUGH LIVE PERFORMANCES ON A HISTORIC STAGE. AS ONE OF THE NATION'S OLDEST CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVALS, BAY VIEW FOCUSES ON MUSIC EDUCATION AND EACH SUMMER BAY VIEW WELCOMES OVER 30 COLLEGIATE AND PROFESSIONAL MUSIC FACULTY AND OVER 80 STUDENTS TO LEARN, PERFORM AND GROW THEIR TALENTS IN A VARIETY OF PERFORMANCE FORMATS. WE OFFER WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERTS, SUNDAY VESPER CONCERTS SPANNING ALL GENRES, STUDENT CONCERTS, YOUTH THEATER PRODUCTION, A FULLY STAGED MUSICAL, AND OPERA. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE TYPICALLY 3 POPS CONCERTS THAT INCLUDE NATIONALLY KNOWN ACTS. ALL PERFORMANCES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. ALL STUDENT CONCERTS ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND MANY OTHER CONCERTS ARE FREE TO AGES 15 AND UNDER. (Expenses $ 105,465 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 2,728,516) THE BAY VIEW ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, FOUNDED IN 1875, THAT SEEKS TO ENRICH THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH A SEASONAL PROGRAM OF RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, MUSICAL, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. BAY VIEW'S HISTORIC CAMPUS AND PROGRAMS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
  2. $381,450 spent. RECREATION THE RECREATION PROGRAM OFFERS QUALITY PROGRAMS FOR KIDS AGES 3 THRU 14 FROM MID-JUNE THRU MID-AUGUST. MORNING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ARTS, CRAFTS, WOOD WORKING, EXERCISE, AND GROUP ACTIVITIES. AFTER LUNCH, CHILDREN HAVE THE OPTION TO PARTICIPATE IN TENNIS, SAILING OR SWIMMING LESSONS FROM QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS. THE RECREATION PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS A LIT (LEADER IN TRAINING) PROGRAM, WHERE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AGE STUDENTS ASSIST TEACHERS AND OTHER STAFF WITH THE PROGRAM. THE MOTTO OF THE PROGRAM IS "FUN AND RECREATION FOR ALL, ALL PROGRAMMING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
  3. $302,083 spent. WORSHIP & EDUCATION WORSHIP THE WORSHIP AND RELIGIOUS LIFE PROGRAM OFFERS 14 WEEKS OF WORSHIP SERVICES, WEEKLY LECTURES, ADULT, TEEN, AND CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL, TEEN YOUTH GROUP, AND ADULT BIBLE STUDIES. FROM MID-JUNE TO MID-AUGUST NATIONALLY KNOWN PREACHERS COME TO CAMPUS TO SPEAK ON A VARIETY OF ENRICHING AND THOUGHT PROVOKING TOPICS OFFERING EDUCATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH. WORSHIP PROGRAMS ARE ECUMENICAL, FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. EDUCATION THE EDUCATION PROGRAM OFFERS CLASSES AND LECTURES FOR EVERYONE FROM KIDS TO ADULTS. EACH YEAR 50 TO 70 CLASSES ARE HELD COVERING CULINARY ARTS, EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE AND PERSPECTIVES, FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND KIDS' CLASSES. THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS ANNUAL SPEAKER SERIES TITLED AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, THE BIG READ, AND BRIDGING CULTURAL DIVIDES AMONG OTHER LECTURE OFFERINGS. THESE SERIES HIGHLIGHT BESTSELLING AUTHORS, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS, AND PROFESSORS WHO SPEAK ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN, EXPAND PERSPECTIVES, AND SPARK CURIOSITY. MANY OF THESE SERIES ARE FREE AND ALL ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. (Expenses $ 105,465 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 2,728,516) THE BAY VIEW ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, FOUNDED IN 1875, THAT SEEKS TO ENRICH THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH A SEASONAL PROGRAM OF RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, MUSICAL, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. BAY VIEW'S HISTORIC CAMPUS AND PROGRAMS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
  4. $105,465 spent. THE BAY VIEW ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, FOUNDED IN 1875, THAT SEEKS TO ENRICH THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH A SEASONAL PROGRAM OF RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, MUSICAL, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. BAY VIEW'S HISTORIC CAMPUS AND PROGRAMS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 2025.

    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 March 2020.

    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.