Lake Superior Tall Ships
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Mission of Lake Superior Tall Ships is; To teach youth seamanship personal responsibility teamwork and self-esteem while building skills in leadership and citizenship to inspire all generations to be responsible stewards of Lake Superior and all lakes rivers and oceans and to promote awareness appreciation and preservation of Lake Superiors marine communities and maritime heritage.
- Income
- $155,212
- Spending
- $100,105
- Reserves
- 14.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 55%
- Highest pay
- $20,150, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (2)
- Abbey Road was out sailing on Lake Superior for 68 days in 2025 with guests. She sailed 2,004 nautical miles on trips from Bayfield to the Apostle Islands Grand Marais MN and Whitefish Bay MI. Most of the trips were 3 to 4-hour half day or evening sails and many of the guests especially the Sea Scouts were repeat sailors. Of the trips 37 days were Youth Adventure Trips with the area Sea Scouts school groups and other area youth. We had 7 days of Family Adventures 8 days of Adult Offshore Adventure 7 days of bareboat charter and 7 days participating in the Tall Ships America Festival of Sail in Duluth MN. The season was cut a little short due to an engine failure the first week of September and the part was not available in the US.
- We acquired the schooner Zeeto in the spring of 2023. Zeeto was out sailing on Chequamegon Bay and in the Apostle Islands Superior for 16 days in 2025 with guests. Most of the trips were 3 to 4-hour half day or evening sails and many of the guests especially the Sea Scouts were repeat sailors. Of the trips 9 days were Youth Adventure Trips with the area Sea Scouts school groups and other area youth. We had 1 days of Family Adventures 1 Friendraiser trip and 5 days sailing in teh Tall Ships America Festival of Sail in Duluith MN.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 2025.
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 October 2014.
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.