Keweenaw Land Trust Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) is a community partner protecting land, water and quality of life through conservation, stewardship and nature connections serving the six western counties of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. KLT is a qualified holder of conservation land and easements and one of about 450 land trusts across the country awarded accreditation, documenting that it follows best practices across all areas of operations. KLT currently owns and stewards 28 natural areas open year-round for low-impact use by the general public. KLT offers programs and guided explorations on its protected lands to foster connections and better understanding of the unique landscapes and natural features of our region. KLT relies on support from several hundred member households along with grants and partnerships to carry out its mission of conserving special places in our community now and for generations to come.
- Income
- $1.6 million
- Spending
- $289,689
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- -389 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 80
- Highest pay
- $31,560, interim executive director/project specialist
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 82% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 137% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $33,237 spent. CONSERVATION:Two new nature areas were established under the Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) land conservation program during 2024. Several donors contributed to the purchase of a land parcel of about 52 acres with 1,400 feet of undeveloped shoreline on Lake Superior, including the mouth of Jacob's Creek. Protection of undeveloped Lake Superior shoreline remains among the highest conservation priorities of the organization based in part on community input and regional conservation plans. This project also conserves high quality wooded dune and swale coastal habitats. The Boston Creek Nature Area was established by the donation of 40 acres to conserve a scenic quarter-mile stretch of the creek with rapids and small waterfalls and lined by woodland. A rolling topography, diverse habitats and exceptional examples of exposed nonesuch shale rock formations add interest and value to this conservation project. Several potential conservation projects are under evaluation or in development from partner referrals, landowner inquiries, and organizational program initiatives, including shoreline tracts, inland lakes, old growth forest and river frontage. KLT land protection staff participate in peer practitioner networking and online training through the national Land Trust Alliance for professional support and development. The national Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded KLT renewal of its accreditation status, an important indication that KLT follows standards and practices to better ensure sound, legal and ethical transactions that will stand the test of time. KLT staff are working with legal counsel to update its methodology for drafting conservation easements to better align with current best practices. While easement work will continue, KLT has made an intentional shift towards protecting land by ownership, an approach that provides more direct public benefits and community connection to the land while offering KLT more control.
- $133,495 spent. STEWARDSHIP:Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) continued its work to enhance habitats and facilitate public access opportunities in keeping with conservation goals for its protected lands. KLT hosted an AmeriCorps National Civil Community Conservation team of 6 members for 8 weeks to bolster stewardship efforts during the 2024 field season. Engaging volunteers is a hallmark of growing stewardship capacity and personal connections to our protected land, and transferring knowledge that can facilitate better stewardship on private land. A component of our stewardship program is maintaining several rustic cabins available for scheduled use by donation. In accordance with LTA Standards & Practices, KLT conducted annual monitoring of its nature areas and private lands protected by conservation easements to ensure that conservation values are being protected. Documentation of monitoring and stewardship work is a critical component of accreditation with records selected by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission submitted as part of KLT's application for renewal of accreditation status. KLT continues to work on technological improvements to facilitate better networking, backup systems, security and organization of digital records for its conservation and stewardship programs.
- $33,600 spent. OUTREACH -NATURE CONNECTIONS:Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) offers a variety of programs aimed at strengthening connections to our protected lands and the broader natural world. Better understanding can translate to care and support for the conservation and stewardship efforts of the organization.New this year was a pilot Artist-in-Residence program supported by a mini-grant from the Land Trust Alliance. The program hosted 3 artists on Silver Island that later shared their work and stories at a public reception on the mainland. Story Trails are an ongoing program that posts pages of nature-themed books along a trail enticing visitors to hike and learn. Guided outdoor explorations often engage community partners or volunteers and mix learning, art and camaraderie in events on our protected lands. These include Tyke Hikes targeting families with youngsters and activities combined with stewarding or managing our nature areas. KLT programs teach about threats from invasive species and the benefits and logistics of native plantings to benefit wildlife habitats. KLT is a Leave No Trace partner encouraging responsible and ethical use of all lands open for public use. KLT engages with local schools (K-university) utilizing our protected lands as outdoor classrooms as well as sharing indoor learning about our conservation and stewardship work. KLT regularly conducts educational outreach through its website (www.KeweenawLandTrust.org), social media and email notices, and through print publication of newsletters, reports, and brochures. Countless individuals and groups create their own experiences on KLT protected lands that are open year-round for low-impact use by the general public at no charge.
- $6,976 spent. OTHER: KLT is an active member of the Keweenaw Invasive Species Management Area (KISMA) partnership, that engages interns and community partners in monitoring, management and educational outreach to raise awareness of invasive species and help control their spread. KLT supported ongoing partnerships with a Sustainable Film series and Keweenaw Geoheritage program. KLT served on an advisory committee as one stakeholder aimed at implementing a "Blueprint for the Heartlands" to guide future ownership and appropriate shared uses of about 32,000 acres of land in Keweenaw County currently under transitory ownership of The Nature Conservancy. KLT also serves on the advisory committee for the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative that supports and connects community partners with K-12 classrooms engaged in stewardship learning and projects to benefit the Lake Superior watershed.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1996.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.