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Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

EIN 38-2361745 · Petoskey, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DEDICATED TO PROTECTING LAKES, STREAMS, WETLANDS, AND GROUNDWATER THROUGH RESPECTED ADVOCACY, INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, TECHNICALLY SOUND WATER QUALITY MONITORING, THROUGH RESEARCH, AND RESTORATION ACTIONS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
18.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
19
Volunteers
175
Highest pay
$82,642, executive director

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 38% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • 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 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. $705,514 spent. WATERSHED PROTECTIONVOLUNTEER LAKE, STREAM AND AVIAN BOTULISM MONITORING PROGRAMS. CONDUCTED WATER QUALITY MONITORING ON 27 SITES ON 19 STREAMS, THROUGH OUR VOLUNTEER STREAM MONITORING PROGRAM, AND 39 SITES ON 30 LAKES THROUGH OUR VOLUNTEER LAKE MONITORING PROGRAM. COMBINED, WE ENGAGED 130 VOLUNTEERS IN THOSE PROGRAMS. CONDUCTED WATER QUALITY MONITORING IN BLACK LAKE WATERSHED. SHORELINE SURVEYS CONDUCTED ON DOUGLAS, PICKEREL, CROOKED LAKES IN CONJUNCTION WITH HOMEOWNER OUTREACH. HOSTED A SHORELINE WORKSHOP ON DOUGLAS LAKE. BEGAN DRAFTING A WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR BLACK LAKE WATERSHED, AND UPDATING LAKE CHARLEVOIX WATERSHED PLAN. COORDINATED GREENBELT COST SHARE PROJECTS. COORDINATED DESIGN WORK ON STOVER CREEK. REPLACED AN UNDERSIZED CULVERT ON VAN CREEK.
  2. $223,973 spent. OUTREACH AND EDUCATIONCONDUCTED MOBILE BOAT WASHING PROGRAM. IMPROVED ONE ROAD/STREAM CROSSING IN THE BURT LAKE WATERSHED. ORGANIZED BIOCONTROL FOR PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE. HOSTED WATERSHED ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN SIX DIFFERENT WATERSHEDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. HOSTED THREE SUMMER INTERNS. CONDUCTED WATERSHED ACADEMY. PRESENTATIONS TO SCHOOL GROUPS.
  3. $190,376 spent. POLICY AND ADVOCACYHOSTED LAKE ASSOCIATION SUMMIT. HOSTED LINKING LAKES EVENT. HOSTED ANNUAL ICE BREAKER WINTER SPEAKER SERIES. INSTALLED SIGNAGE AT THE CHEBOYGAN FISHING PIERS. PARTICIPATED IN EFFORTS TO IMPROVE STATEWIDE SEPTIC PROTECTIONS IN LANSING. WORKED TO MINIMIZE ADVERSE IMPACTS ON WATER RESOURCES FROM DEVELOPMENT AND SHORELINE PROPOSALS. COORDINATED PRESCRIPTION AND OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUG DROP-OFF PROGRAMS. ADVOCATED FOR GREAT LAKES POLICY PRIORITIES IN WASHINGTON D.C. REPRESENTED ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ON NUMEROUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. PROMOTED THE ADOPTION OF SHORELINE PROTECTION ORDINANCES THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE AREA.

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 October 13, 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 May 1982.

    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 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.