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Friends of Lovers Key Inc

EIN 65-0770374 · Bonita Springs, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOLKS Mission - Friends of Lovers Key helping to Protect, Preserve and Support Lovers Key State Park. Major Annual Goals: 1 Work with the park staff, the Florida Park Service, FOLKS member and donors and the community to assist Lovers Key State Park recover from Hurricane Ian, Helene and Milton 2 Through a vigorous fundraising effort, raise the funds necessary to assist with the recovery from the Hurricane, maintain the Welcome and Discovery Center and fund its ongoing operations and related education programs. 3 Through community involvement and education enhance awareness that the Park and the Welcome and Discovery Center will be back stronger from the Hurricanes, and reconnect to the Park through the message - Loving Lovers Key - Again 4 Implement Forward Thinks goals to improve parks sustainability

Income
$201,379
Spending
$256,523
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
27.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
1
Volunteers
100

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • 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

    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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $184,556 spent. Hurricane Ian made landfall on September 28, 2022, within 10 miles of Lovers Key State Park as a category 5 hurricane. The park was severely damaged from the winds of 150 mph and a 12 foot plus storm surge. This damage caused the park to be closed for reconstruction. In 2024 two additional hurricanes, Helene and Milton severely damaged the park . While the park has partially reopened, and Friends of Lovers Key programs have partially restarted, our efforts have been focused on assisting the park recover from the hurricanes through fund raising and assistance in the replacement of equipment and supplies. In addition, we are developing and implementing sustainability projects such a solor installations for the Park Shop Complex
  2. $10,157 spent. The central theme of lovers key Eco-Arts camp is "What You See on the Land, Lands in the Sea" which investigates relationships between land use and the health of aquatic eco-systems (it is also the theme of the speaker series, sponsored by friends of lovers key.) The purpose of this theme is to engage citizens of all ages and backgrounds and learning about and protecting the Estero Bay watershed. Lovers key state parks location is ideal for visitors the connections between land use and water quality.
  3. $471 spent. Partially resumed in 2025 see 4A - "What you see on the Land, Lands in the Sea." A lecture and discussion series, sponsored by Friends of Lovers Key, which began in the fall of 2001. Friends of Lovers Key hosts, a series of lectures and panel discussions about the connections between Florida's aquatic habitats, and land use. Speakers address the challenges facing our waterways, their solutions, and the role of citizens. The series are held in the community room of the welcome and discovery from 6:30 to 8 PM.
  4. $2,409 spent. Volunteer - Park Appreciation
  5. $7,281 spent. Community Education of Park Activities

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1998.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.