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Northern Lights Drum and Bugle Corps

EIN 88-4094139 · Belmont, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceWeak44 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NORTHERN LIGHTS DRUM & BUGLE CORPS (NLDBC) PROVIDES MUSICIANS AND PERFORMERS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITY WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTIC EXPRESSION, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF MARCHING ARTS. AS AN ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO INCLUSIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY, NLDBC SEEKS FUNDING TO FURTHER OUR MISSION OF BREAKING DOWN LOGISTICAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC BARRIERS THAT MAY HINDER PARTICIPATION FOR INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY. NORTHERN LIGHTS ENRICHES THE Filed by Corporations Division Administrator Filing Number: 223713698450 Date: 09/15/2023 LIVES OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH LOCAL MUSIC EDUCATION CLINICS, SHOW PERFORMANCES, AND A YEARLY COMPETITION TRIP TO THE DRUM CORPS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS WEEKEND IN INDIANAPOLIS.

Income
$125,130
Spending
$121,080
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
0
Volunteers
8

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 118% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 August 31, 2026, 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. $121,080 spent. Performed at three Drum Corps International competitions across Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana. Competed in the Drum Corps International World Championships in Indianapolis. Performed at the Climax, MI Memorial Day Parade.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2026, 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 August 2026.

    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 January 2023.

    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.