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Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp

EIN 38-1811838 · Twin Lake, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1966, BLUE LAKE FINE ARTS CAMP IS A SUMMER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS LOCATED ON A 1,600 ACRE CAMPUS IN MICHIGAN'S MANISTEE NATIONAL FOREST, OFFERING FINE ARTS EDUCATION FOR ALL AGES.

Income
$10.0 million
Spending
$10.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
696
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$111,517, ceo & interi

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 38% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $8.0 million spent. BLFAC OPERATES AS A SUMMER ARTS CAMP FOR YOUTH FROM GRADES 5 TO 12. STUDENTS COME FROM ALL OVER MICHIGAN, THE MIDWEST AND BEYOND TO STUDY MUSIC, ART, DANCE, THEATRE, CHOIR AND CREATIVE WRITING. WE ALSO HOST A SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL THAT FEATURES OUR FACULTY AND GUEST ARTISTS. THESE PERFORMANCES ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
  2. $757,585 spent. BLFAC ALSO OPERATES A CLASSICAL AND JAZZ MUSIC STATION. IT SERVES AS THE VOICE OF THE ARTS IN WEST MICHIGAN AND AS AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MUCH OF WEST MICHIGAN.
  3. $857,509 spent. BLFAC OPERATES AN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM. STUDENTS FROM BAND, ORCHESTRA, JAZZ AND CHOIR PERFORM IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS EUROPE AS PART OF A GOODWILL EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
  4. $34,307 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS/SERVICES INCLUDE A CAMP STORE, ADULT PROGRAMMING, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES.
  5. OTHER PROGRAMS/SERVICES INCLUDE A CAMP STORE, ADULT PROGRAMMING, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES.

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 October 1967.

    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.