Great Lakes Sports Commission
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE GREAT LAKES SPORTS COMMISSION IS TO PROMOTE NORTHERN MICHIGAN AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR SPORTS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM. IT WORKS TO DRIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY VITALITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE BY LEVERAGING SPORTS AND RECREATION THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT, EVENTS, AND TOURISM-FOCUSED INITIATIVES.
- Income
- $218,429
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $191,065, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)
- $1.3 million spent. IN 2025, THE GREAT LAKES SPORTS COMMISSION (GLSC) ADVANCED SPORTS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM THROUGHOUT NORTHERN MICHIGAN AND THE UPPER PENINSULA BY EFFECTIVELY MANAGING PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS ACROSS ITS 36-COUNTY REGION. GLSC AWARDED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND REGIONAL SPORTS ASSETS AND PROVIDED SPORTS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS TO PARTNERS HOSTING EVENTS AND INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE ECONOMIC IMPACT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO COLLABORATE WITH PRIOR GRANTEES AND LOAN RECIPIENTS TO MAXIMIZE LONG-TERM UTILIZATION OF FUNDED PROJECTS. GLSC ALSO SUPPORTED AND HOSTED THE LPGA EPSON TOUR GREAT LAKES CHAMPIONSHIP, LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS AND VOLUNTEERS TO DELIVER A HIGH-QUALITY EVENT THAT GENERATED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND SHOWCASED THE REGION AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2019.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Great Lakes Fishery Commission (Ann Arbor, MI), EIN 38-1539304. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.