Passes our checks

Dahlem Conservancy

EIN 41-2155768 · Jackson, MI

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

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE DAHLEM CONSERVANCY IS TO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES TO THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 27.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 15
55% 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $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
10 of 10
Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15
Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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

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

Programs described in its return (4)

$93 spent. THE DAHLEM CONSERVANCY MANAGES AND FUNDS THE JOHN AND MARY DAHLEM ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER WHICH BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, AND FUNCTIONS AS AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM FOR SCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS. COLORFUL GARDENS, LUSH FORESTS, FLOWER-STUDDED GRASSLANDS, ROLLING MEADOWS, MARSHES, AND PONDS BLANKET THE NEARLY 300 ACRES AND HELP HIGHLIGHT MICHIGAN'S CHANGING SEASONS. WITH FIVE MILES OF HIKING TRAILS, INLCUDING THE 3/8 MILE NATURE FOR ALL TRAIL (HANDICAPPED ENABLED TRAIL) AND UNIQUE EXHIBITS, VISITORS CAN SPEND THE DAY EXPLORING THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND DISCOVERING THE WONDERS OF NATURE.
LITTLE ACORNS NATURE PRESCHOOL PROVIDES AN ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN TO EXPLORE, CREATE, IMAGINE, LEARN, AND GROW THROUGH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES; TO PROMOTE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND CONGITIVE SKILLS; AND TO INSTILL A LIFELONG LOVE, RESPECT, AND UNDERSTANDING OF NATURE.
THE DAHLEM CONSERVANCY OFFERS VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO MEMEBERS, AREA SCHOOLS, AND THE PUBLIC PROVIDING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES. THE PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE LEARNING THROUGH HANDS-ON AND FIELD EXPERIENCES THAT PROVIDE LESSONS ON PRESERVING THE EARTH'S DIVERSITY AND FOSTERING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMPLEX INTERACTIONS OF NATURAL POPULATION, WHILE PROMOTING THE CONCEPT THAT EVERYONE IS A TEACHER AND EVERYONE IS A LEARNER.
$306,796 spent. TRANSFER TO SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2005.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.