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Charles L Sommers Alumni Association Inc

EIN 41-1713633 · Ely, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE A CONTINUING INTEREST IN AND SUPPORT FOR THE MISSION AND PROGRAMS OF THE CHARLES L. SOMMERS NATIONAL HIGH ADVENTURE BASE AND THE NORTHER TIER NATIONAL HIGH ADVENTURE PROGRAM

Income
$103,054
Spending
$59,990
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
0
Volunteers
48

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $44,896 spent. PROVIDE $2,000 HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS TO HELP RETAIN QUALIFIED STAFF. PROVIDE VARIOUS PROGRAM-RELATED GEAR TO HELP RETAIN STAFF WITH PROGRAM RELATED GEAR. PROMOTE NORTHERN TIER PROGRAMS AT VIRTUAL EVENTS SUCH AS UNIVERSITY OF SCOUTING, ROUND TABLES, ETC. THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE NORTHERN TIER AMBASSADOR PROGRAM. CONDUCT VOLUNTEER WORK WEEK AT NORTHER TIER TO HELP MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FACILITY THAT SUPPORT THE PROGRAM. CONDUCT SEMINAR DAY TO PASS ALONG KNOWLEDGE OF WILDERNESS TECHNIQUES AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO NEW AND RETURNING STAFF. SUPPORTING PROJECT TO WRITE A HISTORY BOOK OF NORTHERN TIER. HOLD REUNION FOR STAFF ALUMNI. PROVIDE GENERAL PROGRAM SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ADMINISTER THE NATIONAL HIGH ADVENTURE AWARDS PROGRAM. SUPPORT STAFF RECRUITMENT EFFORTS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 August 1992.

    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.