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Trout Lake Nature Center Inc

EIN 59-3039878 · Eustis, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION EMPHASIZES ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. THE CHILDREN'S EDUCATION, LARGELY FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IS DESIGNED IN CONJUNCTION WITH FLORIDA STATE STANDARDS AND ADMINISTERED BY VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF. THE ADULT PROGRAMS INVOLVE STAFF AND NON-STAFF EXPERTS CONDUCTING ACTIVITIES ON SITE AND ALSO INCLUDE VISITS TO OTHER LOCATIONS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$352,551
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
62 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 72%
Employees
4
Volunteers
123

Source: Form 990 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 (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 62.0 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 75% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 155% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    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, 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)
  1. $271,265 spent. THE MISSION OF THE TROUT LAKE NATURE CENTER IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE WITH NATURE THROUGH EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION. PROGRAMMING IS PROVIDED FOR STUDENTS, HOMESCHOOLERS AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. SCHOOL PROGRAMS INCLUDE FIELD TRIPS WITH ACTIVITIES THAT ARE CORRELATED TO FLORIDA'S SCIENCE EDUCATION STANDARDS AND VARY BY GRADE LEVEL. IN-SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS ARE PROVIDED PER GRADE LEVEL ON A CLASS BY CLASS BASIS. CONCEPTS SUCH AS FOOD WEBS, ADAPTATIONS, WATER QUALITY, VERTEBRATES AND INVERTEBRATES, CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIES, WEATHER, BIODIVERSITY AND MORE ARE TAUGHT THROUGH INTERACTIVE LESSONS. IN ADDITION TO TEACHING SCIENCE CONCEPTS, STUDENTS AND YOUTH MAKE VALUABLE CONNECTIONS TO NATURE AND OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.
  2. $9,518 spent. THE CENTER PROVIDES REGULAR PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR FAMILIES, CHILDREN AND ADULTS. SOME EXAMPLES ARE SUNDAY FUNDAYS ON TURTLES, REPTILES, WATER AND BEARS, NIGHT HIKES, NATURALIST SERIES, MONTHLY PACK WALKS, AND SUMMER READING TRAILS PROGRAMS ALONG WITH WATER COLOR PAINTING CLASSES AND OTHERS INSPIRED BY NATURE PROGRAMMING. OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS ALSO PROVIDE PROGRAMS TO THE PUBLIC. IN ADDITION, THE CENTER PROVIDES TWICE A WEEK YOGA SESSIONS AND MONTHLY NATURE SPROUTS PROGRAMS FOR 2 TO 5 YEAR OLDS. PARTICIPATION RANGES FROM 15 TO 100 AT THE EVENTS.
  3. $1,077 spent. THE CENTER'S PROPERTY AND FACILITIES (NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, SCREENED IN PICNIC SHELTER, EDUCATION BUILDING, EDUCATION DOCK, BOARDWALK, FOOT BRIDGES AND TRAILS) ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND GUIDED PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE EDUCATION BUILDING AND NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM CONTAIN MOUNTED SPECIMENS OF WILDLIFE NATIVE TO THE AREA. THE CENTER ALSO CURATES A 1,400-SPECIMEN BUTTERFLY AND INSECT COLLECTION. CHILDREN, FAMILIES, ADULTS AND DOG WALKERS TRAVEL OUR TRAILS, USE OUR PICNIC AREAS AND ENJOY NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS. A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED USING OUTDOOR TEACHING AREAS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 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 June 1991.

    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.

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