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Land Information Access Association

EIN 38-3135600 · Traverse City, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LIAA IS A COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION WORKING TO INCREASE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF COMMUNITIES AND EXPAND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS: HELPING PEOPLE TO SHAPE BETTER COMMUNITIES THROUGH: PARTICIPATION, EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND EFFECTIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY.

Income
$349,188
Spending
$531,191
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
8
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$70,986, interim executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 52% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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 June 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 (2)
  1. $70,788 spent. LIAA SUPPORTS MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES IN UPDATING MASTER PLANS TO ENHANCE RESILIENCE AGAINST ECONOMIC SHIFTS AND CLIMATE VARIABILITY. WE ASSIST GREAT LAKES SHORELINE COMMUNITIES STUDYING CLIMATE IMPACTS, LAKE LEVELS, AND SHORELINE DYNAMICS. LIAA PROVIDES PLANNING, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, LEADERSHIP TRAINING, AND WEB SERVICES TO OVER 50 GOVERNMENT AND NONPROFIT ENTITIES, AS WELL AS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT FOR LOCAL RECREATIONAL AUTHORITIES.
  2. $295,734 spent. TRAVERSE AREA COMMUNITY MEDIA FACILITATES PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN AUDIO AND VIDEO MEDIA PRODUCTION FOR EDUCATION, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION. IT OFFERS TRAINING AND CABLECAST SERVICES TO CITIZENS, GOVERNMENTS, AND NONPROFITS IN A 10-COUNTY REGION (CHANNELS 189 AND 191), SERVING APPROXIMATELY 75 VOLUNTEER PRODUCERS AND 6 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.