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Mequon Nature Preserve Inc

EIN 45-1562527 · Mequon, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Mequon Nature Preserve is to be a guiding example habitat restoration by returning the land to a mosaic of forests, prairies and wetlands and to establish an education conservancy that inpires exploration and cultivates stewardship.

Income
$888,997
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
10.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
15
Volunteers
594
Highest pay
$121,713, 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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 94% 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.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $324,638 spent. Education Outreach MNP staff work to instill environmental empathy and action into the consciousness of surrounding communities. This is achieved through various field trips and other educational programs offered free of charge. Throughout the 2023-2024 academic year over 3,000 students attended a field trip at MNP. Of those three thousand, 60 were form the City of Milwaukee schools. Middle schools participated in our Water Passport Program, which is in partnership with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District MMSD. During 2024, MNP offered several events, guided hikes, and workshops. MNP hosted a weeklong ACT 31 training program run by MPS First Nations Department.
  2. $676,512 spent. Land Restoration Monitoring MNP follows a 150-year land restoration plan to return 510 acres of predominantly agricultural land to its pre-settlement condition as a mesic beech-maple-oak forest. The past 20 years, staff have been working hard to return the land back to its historic condition. We are happy to say that based off our 150-year Master Plan, we are 25 years ahead of schedule in our land restoration efforts. Through a MMSD Wetland Restoration and Reforestation Program, MNP staff planted native short grass prairie and wetland seed as the first step in revegetation for the 52-acre program. Volunteers and staff planted over 43,000 trees that will establish over the next three years.
  3. $40,780 spent. Land Building MNP is responsible for the repairs, maintenance and utilities at all the facilities on the 510 acres. MNP receives rental income from agricultural land, a farmhouse, barns and storage buildings on the preserve. In addition, PieperPower Education Center is rented to corporations and agencies when not being used for educational programming.
  4. Program Service Expenses 29,387, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Special Projects Every year various funding comes in to fund specific projects that would normally not occur. In 2024, we continued our book project launching two more childrens books. Onsite events included a monthly Craft and Storytime, Maple Sugar Tapping, Summer Playdate, guided hikes, Monarch Tagging, and Habitat Haunting. All events were free of charge and open to the public. The MNP Executive Director Book Club, Junior Nature Book Club, MNP Photography Club and MNP Bee Club meet monthly and are open to all that are interested. There were new structures installed at Martys Playspace as well as two Observation Platforms installed at the new Swan Road wetland and at Pauls Pond. The Rig and one other off-road wheelchair were purchased for individuals of limited mobility to use free of charge.

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 November 6, 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 July 2011.

    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 November 4, 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.