Pelican Lake Association Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Association's purpose is to preserve, protect and enhance the waters of Pelican Lake, Oneida County, Wisconsin, and its watershed. This purpose is promoted through an active, ongoing partnership with the Towns of Enterprise and Schoepke and their citizens. The primary objective is to maintain a balanced lake ecosystem, promote good stewardship, and educate all lake patrons regarding the wise use of the surrounding environment. We encourage and promote shoreline restoration. The organization partners with Red Cross, Pelican Lake Fire Department and Pelican Lake Women's Civic group to promote and host blood drives. The Association works to maintain a sufficient fund balance to pay for treatment and containment of invasive species infestations (AIS Aquatic Invasive Species). In 2024, coordination with the local High School in Elcho offered a new $1,000 Scholarship for higher education in fields that align with our mission statement, no applications were submitted.
- Income
- $87,888
- Spending
- $96,625
- Reserves
- 15 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
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
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
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 (7)
- $23,095 spent. Clean Boats Clean Waters program educates boaters and fishermen on the importance of prevention for the non- transference of invasive species between bodies of water. Monitors are employed to monitor the boats in and out, speak with the boaters and hand out educational materials. our program reaches approximately 6,000 boaters and 3,000 boats per year. This program impacts not just the waters of Pelican Lake, but to all potential waters that boaters could contact after leaving our shores. The education and prevention of invasive species transference has a global impact.
- $5,110 spent. I-LID Service. To enhance our CBCW program we partner with the two local towns to fund two I-LID devices at one town landing and one state landing. These public service devices educate boaters of AIS prevention measures while monitoring and providing video surveillance of AIS regulation infractions. It is a 24/7 system to assist when our CBCW monitor employees are not on duty. Just as the CBCW program has possible global impacts, I-LIDs functions as an additional measure of this program. Enterprise Paid $1,500 in 2024. Schoepke paid $1350 in 2024.
- $41,000 spent. AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) Control. Program includes annual lake surveys to assess the location and extent of AIS plant life, action needed to maintain control of AIS plant life such as hand pulling and mechanical harvesting. Membership is encouraged to attend workshops and share relevant data at Annual Membership Meeting or Board Meetings. Maintenance of Eurasian Water Milfoil is our main focus to maintain safe, navigable waters for residents and tourism. We focus on natural mitigation efforts in order to maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
- $18,347 spent. A Comprehensive Lake Plan is required in Wisconsin to remain eligible for DNR and Wisconsin Grant opportunities. It is a 2-year process required every 10 years. We began Phase I (data gathering/study) in late 2022 and received DNR funding to accomplish this mandatory process. A few of the many studies include water samples for lab testing, plant material evaluated along with water clarity and core samples. Phase II of the plan occurred through most of 2024. This consisted of meeting with planning committee members to evaluate findings and determine a road map for the next ten years of organizational goals and financial needs to accomplish them. This plan effects not just residents of Pelican Lake, but those that use it to recreate and the downstream waters that are fed by the lake and its tributaries. Pelican Lake is also part of the Federal Energy Regulation Commission, due to its waters serving downstream power dams. No Grant funds for this were received in 2024.
- $1,000 spent. Educational Scholarship established. A $1,000 scholarship program with the local High School to assist with higher education in University or Technical Trade that aligns with our mission statement. Want had hoped to present the first award to a Graduate of 2025. Unfortunately, no applications were submitted for the class of 2025. We will provide this educational opportunity for 2026 local graduates.
- $499 spent. Shoreline Exhibit Display- The Town of Schoepke donated space on the North side of the town hall to plant and maintain an Exhibit area for lake residents and the public at large to come sit, recreate and get inspiration of plantings or plans for their own shoreline properties. Shoreline buffer areas are instrumental in filtering water run-off from nearby fields, roads or chemically treated lawns. The maintenance and additional planting of this filtration area is essential to buffer the lake from state highway 45 run-off as well as provide public space and education.
- $3,166 spent. Buoys for public Safety and Navigation. In 1974 the towns of Enterprise and Schoepke made a verbal agreement. Both towns have limited jurisdiction over Pelican Lake. They hold the authority to coordinate with the DNR to hold permits for navigational and hazard buoys within their respective town boundaries. The Lake Association entered into the agreement as facilitator of maintaining the buoys and helping to share the costs. The towns paid for Spring Placement and Fall retrieval while PLA ensured they were safe and working condition. Towns are billed directly for placement, and PLA is billed directly for parts/hours of service to maintain. This is a public service and tourism-based effort as the lake as many shoals and just below water surface rock hazards left from ancient glacier landscaping.
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? 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? 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 2010.
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.