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Lake Effect Conservancy

EIN 81-3649096 · Wayzata, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LAKE EFFECT CONSERVANCY IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES AS AN ADVOCATE AND FUNDRAISING AGENCY FOR THE PANOWAY ON WAYZATA BAY INITIATIVE, A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF WAYZATA. THE GOAL OF THIS INITIATIVE IS TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE CITY'S GREATEST ASSET, LAKE MINNETONKA, FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND TO HELP IMPROVE THE LAKESIDE ECOSYSTEM WITH SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$184,101
Spending
$811,427
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 341% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 86% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $708,392 spent. CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE 2 WAS COMPLETED IN JUNE 2024. THIS INCLUDED A 1,200 FOOT-LONG LAKEWALK THAT STRETCHES ALONG A RESTORED SHORELINE OF LAKE MINNETONKA FROM BROADWAY AVE TO THE DEPOT. THE LAKEWALK OPENEND TO THE PUBLIC IN JUNE 2024, AND QUICKLY BECAME A POPULAR COMMNUITY ASSET. PRIVATE FUNDS RAISED THROUGH THE LAKE EFFECT CONSERVANCY HELPED PAY FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS OF PHASE 2 IN 2024. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF WAYZATA FOR PHASE 2 TOTALED OVER $700,000 IN 2024. WE CONTINUED OUR EFFORTS IN RAISING FUNDS AND AWARENESS OF PHASE 3 OF THE PANOWAY PROJECT, WHICH INCLUDES PRESERVATION AND RENOVATION OF THE SECTION FOREMAN HOUSE AND THE ECO PARK. WE RECEIVED OVER $12,000 OF DONATIONS EARMARKED FOR THIS PHASE OF THE PROJECT IN 2024.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 November 2016.

    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 November 4, 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.