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Lignite Energy Council

EIN 45-0321174 · Bismarck, ND

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedToo small or too little detailImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LIGNITE ENERGY COUNCIL SHALL PROTECT, MAINTAIN, AND ENHANCE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR REGION'S ABUNDANT LIGNITE RESOURCE.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Employees
10
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$387,482, executive vp of r&d

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

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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

Governance

This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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. EDUCATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM TO KEEP THE PUBLIC AWARE OF AND EDUCATED AS TO THE RECLAMATION, MINING, AND ENERGY CONVERSION PROCESS OF LIGNITE RESOURCES, INCLUDING TEACHERS' SEMINARS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL EVENTS.
  2. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT PROMOTES ECONOMIC, EFFICIENT, AND CLEAN USES OF LIGNITE AND LIGNITE BY PRODUCTS. THIS IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SUBAREAS. ENHANCE, PRESERVE, AND PROTECT PAYS FOR STUDIES DONE BY THE EERC AND OTHERS. THIS INCLUDES A STUDY CONTRACTED WITH THE EERC FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF LIGNITE POWER PLANTS. THERE IS ALSO A GRANT FOR THE LRC TECHNICAL ADVISOR. THIS WAS RAN THROUGH THE LEC, THEN MOVED TO THE FOUNDATION IN 2024 THEN MOVED BACK TO THE LEC IN 2025.
  3. REGULATORY AND LITIGATION SUPPORT TO HELP THE STATE IN REGULATORY ISSUES INVOLVING MN AND THE EPA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.

    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? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 October 1974.

    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.