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Chikaming Open Lands

EIN 38-3515636 · Sawyer, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHIKAMING OPEN LANDS IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING OPEN SPACE AND THE DIVERSE NATURAL CHARACTER OF BERRIEN COUNTY BY ACQUIRING LAND AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THROUGH DONATION OR PURCHASE.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$915,719
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
56.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
9
Volunteers
85
Highest pay
$104,987, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 56.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 105% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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

    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. $11,132 spent. ON OCTOBER 30, 2024, THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETED THE PURCHASE OF APPROXIMATELY 2.65 ACRES, CONTIGUOUS TO MERRITT FAMILY PRESERVE AND CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP PARK & PRESERVE IN CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP. THE PROPERTY, KNOWN AS THE STRIBLING-SONNABEND PRESERVE, IS PROTECTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR ECOLOGICAL, RECREATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETED THE PURCHASE OF APPROXIMATELY 15.66 ACRES OF FOREST AND WETLAND IN CHIKAMING TOWNSHIP ON DECEMBER 31, 2024. THE PROPERTY, KNOWN AS LAKESIDE WOODS PRESERVE, IS PROTECTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR ECOLOGICAL, RECREATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED PROGRESS ON THE PURCHASE OF AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON THREE PROPERTIES WITH GRANT FUNDING FROM USDA-NRCE ACEP-ALE. CLOSING ON THE EASEMENTS IS EXPECTED IN 2025.
  2. $399,893 spent. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED WORK ON SEVERAL HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS IN 2024. THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE PRAIRIE RESTORATION, FOREST RESTORATION, AND INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL PROJECTS. WORK CONTINUED ON A TWO-YEAR SUSTAIN OUR GREAT LAKES (SOGL) GRANT PROJECT WITH THE ADDITION OF A FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBER AND SEASONAL FIELD CREW. THE FIELD CREW COMPLETED INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL OVER 113 ACRES WITHIN THE GALIEN RIVER WATERSHED. GRANT PARTNERS COMPLETED WORK ON AN ADDITIONAL 81 ACRES. THE GRANT PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED IN 2025. THE ORGANIZATION WAS AWARDED A THREE-YEAR SOGL GRANT TO CONTINUE AND EXPAND INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL EFFORTS OVER SEVERAL PRESERVES. WORK WILL BEGIN IN 2025 AND CONTINUE THROUGH 2027. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO COLLABORATE WITH SEVERAL PARTNERS IN A COOPERATIVE INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT AREA (CISMA) WITH CONTINUED GRANT FUNDING FROM MDNR. THE FOCUS OF THE CISMA IS ADDRESS ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH INVASIVE SPECIES THROUGH OUTREACH AND EDUCATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN A THREE COUNTY AREA OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN, AS WELL AS MONITOR, IDENTIFY, AND IMPLEMENT CONTROL OF INVASIVE SPECIES IN THE AREA.
  3. $139,553 spent. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO INCREASE ITS OUTREACH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES THROUGH PRINT AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH QUARTERLY PRINT COMMUNICATIONS THE ORGANIZATION HOSTED ITS POPULAR #10TRAIL CHALLENGE HIKING PROGRAM IN JULY, WITH MORE THAN 400 PARTICIPANTS TAKING PART. THE MIGHTY ACORNS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM CONTINUED WITH LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THE VARIETY OF OUTREACH PROGRAMS, INCLUDING NATURE HIKES, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, PRESENTATIONS, AND SEMINARS, WERE WELL-RECEIVED AND POPULAR, GENERALLY REACHING THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS.

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 March 2000.

    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.