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Great Lakes Burn Camp

EIN 38-3466481 · Jackson, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE THAT PROMOTES HEALING, SELF-ESTEEM, CONFIDENCE AND GENERAL WELL-BEING FOR BURN-INJURED CHILDREN THROUGH DAY AND RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$366,870
Spending
$485,314
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
28.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
12
Volunteers
75

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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. $361,446 spent. GREAT LAKES BURN CAMP IS A SPECIAL PLACE WHERE KIDS WHO ARE BURN VICTIMS BECOME BURN SURVIVORS. THEY MEET, HEAL, GROW AND SUPPORT OTHER BURN SURVIVORS. KIDS SHARE AND BOND WITH OTHER KIDS IN A COMFORTABLE, RELAXED ENVIRONMENT. WE STRIVE TO REMOVE ALL BARRIERS THAT MAY KEEP CHILDREN FROM PARTICIPATING IN EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. A SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR TEENS IS OFFERED TO THE OLDEST CAMPERS DESIGNED TO ENHANCE SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS OFF-SITE CANOE TRIPS, HIKING AND TREETOP CHALLENGES.
  2. $16,000 spent. PARTICIPATION IN CAMPER EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, ASSISTANCE IN ATTENDING THE WORLD BURN CONGRESS, SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR YOUNG ADULT SURVIVORS PREPARING FOR COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL.
  3. TO OPERATE EXCLUSIVELY FOR BENEVOLENT, CHARITABLE, EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986 OR THE CORRESPONDING PROVISIONS OF ANY FUTURE US INTERNAL REVENUE LAW. (THE "CODE").

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 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 July 1999.

    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.