Passes our checks

Torch Lake Protection Alliance

EIN 38-3383379 · Bellaire, MI

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

What it says it does

PROTECT THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF TORCH LAKE AND IT'S WATERSHED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 17.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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

Independent board
25 of 25
12 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.
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 December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)

$5,000 spent. PROTECT THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF TORCH LAKE BY PROVIDING SANITATION AND TRASH SERVICES OVER A MAJOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND. ASSIST IN PROVIDING ENFORCEMENT OF RIPARIAN RIGHTS AND GENERAL PUBLIC SAFETY DURING A MAJOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
$232,639 spent. PROVIDE EDUCATION, NEWSLETTERS AND PROGRAMS THAT WILL BRING AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN AND AROUND THE LAKE.THIS INCLUDES ACCESS TO AN INFORMATIONAL WEBSITE. THESE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED TO APPROXIMATELY 600 HOUSEHOLDS AROUND THE LAKE.PRESERVE THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF TORCH LAKE THROUGH INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH ON VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, EROSION SITES, CHANGES IN ALGAE GROWTH, SEPTIC SYSTEM CONCERNS, SHORELINE MNGMT AND WATER QUALITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 2025.
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 March 1998.
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.