Lake County Search and Rescue Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LAKE COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE IS A VOLUNTEER-BASED, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SAVING LIVES AND ASSISTING THOSE IN DISTRESS THROUGHOUT LAKE COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING HIGH MOUNTAIN REGIONS OF COLORADO. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SKILLED SEARCH, RESCUE, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR AT NO COST TO THOSE IN NEED.DURING THE PAST YEAR, LCSAR RESPONDED TO NUMEROUS CALLS INVOLVING MISSING HIKERS, INJURED RECREATIONISTS, STRANDED MOTORISTS, AND INDIVIDUALS IN BACKCOUNTRY EMERGENCIES. OUR TEAM OF TRAINED VOLUNTEERS WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND OTHER REGIONAL PARTNERS TO ENSURE RAPID AND SAFE RESPONSE IN ALL CONDITIONS.FUNDING FOR LCSAR COMES PRIMARILY FROM COMMUNITY DONATIONS, GRANTS, AND LOCAL FUNDRAISING EFFORTS. THESE FUNDS SUPPORT CRITICAL EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, AND OPERATIONS THAT ALLOW OUR VOLUNTEERS TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY.
- Income
- $171,749
- Spending
- $46,991
- Reserves
- 40 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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, 2024, 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, 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 (1)
- $46,764 spent. LAKE COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE (LCSAR) IS ORGANIZED AND OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. THE ORGANIZATIONS PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE SEARCH, RESCUE, AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LOST, INJURED, OR OTHERWISE IN DISTRESS IN LAKE COUNTY, COLORADO, AND SURROUNDING AREAS. LCSAR OPERATES UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND RELIES ENTIRELY ON TRAINED VOLUNTEERS TO PERFORM LIFESAVING MISSIONS IN ALL WEATHER AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS.IN ADDITION TO DIRECT RESCUE OPERATIONS, LCSAR CONDUCTS PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ON BACKCOUNTRY SAFETY, AVALANCHE AWARENESS, AND OUTDOOR PREPAREDNESS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER AND SEVERITY OF EMERGENCY INCIDENTS. ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE, AND ALL FUNDS RAISED ARE USED TO SUPPORT EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, AND OPERATIONAL READINESS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THESE MISSIONS.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2020 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2020.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2023.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.