Friends of the Black River Forest
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROMOTE THE PRESERVATION OF THE BLACK RIVER ITS WETLANDS THE FOREST AND ADJOINING LAKE MICHIGAN SHORE INCLUDING KOHLER-ANDRAE STATE PARK AS AN ECOLOGICAL WHOLE
- Income
- $7,933
- Spending
- $27,385
- Reserves
- 28.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
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
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 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 (3)
- We disseminated educational information about the Black River Forest its river wetlands Lake Michigan Shoreline migratory bird routes rare and fragile dunal ecosystems and concerns about pollution deforestation of thousands of trees destructive development and land exchanging several acres of citizen owned Kohler Andrae State Park via our website newsletters Facebook pages meetings outdoor rallies with Sierra Club and manned booths at conferences and on the state capitol steps where decision makers were in attendance.
- We protected the Black River Forest and all its wetlands via a successful Appellate court decision on December 5 2023. An untold number of people have benefitted from this action- now and in the future. Legal services were the largest expense. Almost 10 years in the making to reach this decision. See Schedule O
- Over 422,000 visitors come to this area to camp hike walk and enjoy the beauty of this unique natural world. Our court cases and legal fees have kept this area from being destroyed by a developer.
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 March 2017.
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.