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Nonprofit · EIN 03-0548515

HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY

Tax-exempt · BAY CITY, MI 48706

Financials

$296K$341K2022$306K$264K2023$265K$320K2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
September 30, 2025990$264,989$319,955-$54,966$135,649$24,358$111,291
September 30, 2024990$305,789$264,317$41,472$198,227$37,138$161,089
September 30, 2023990$296,179$340,583-$44,404$139,509$31,593$107,916
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$115,050
Membership dues
$65,850
Program service revenue
$93,334
Investment income
$1,458
Other revenue
$55,147

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$89,134
Other salaries and wages
$43,940
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$161,947
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$5,000
Accounting fees
$3,548
Occupancy
$8,172
Travel
$28,818
Program services (functional)
$263,528
Management and general (functional)
$56,427

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$198,227
Total assets, end of year
$135,649
Total liabilities, end of year
$24,358
Net assets, end of year
$111,291
Publicly traded securities
$81,121
Net assets without donor restrictions
$18,592
Net assets with donor restrictions
$92,699
Gross receipts
$264,989
Employees
2
Volunteers
20
Year formed
2004
State of legal domicile
MI

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Jonathan JaroszExecutive Dir.
Officer
40$89,134
Chris BunchTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Ryan PostemaVice President
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Ginny LeikmanPresident
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Pete DeboerDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Patrick DoranDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Ross HammersleyDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Tom NelsonSecretary
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Meghan PrindleDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Kathy Bouchard-WyantDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Keith CreaghDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Abby ErtelDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Susan LackeyDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 13 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Jonathan JaroszExecutive Dir.
Officer
40$89,634$13,228
Chris BunchTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Ryan PostemaVice President
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Ginny LeikmanPresident
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Pete DeboerDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Patrick DoranDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Ross HammersleyDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Tom NelsonSecretary
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Meghan PrindleDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Kathy Bouchard-WyantDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Keith CreaghDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Abby ErtelDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Susan LackeyDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 15 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
JONATHAN JAROSZEXECUTIVE DI
Officer
40$86,635$7,945
CHRIS BUNCHTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
ANNE FLEMINGPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
RYAN POSTEMASECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
GINNY LEIKMANSECRETARY
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JANET BRILESDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PETE DEBOERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PATRICK DORANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ROSS HAMMERSLEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
TOM NELSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
STEVE MARTINEAUDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MEGHAN PRINDLEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KATHY BOUCHARD-WYANTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
KEITH CREAGHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ABBY ERTELDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
PO BOX 1128, BAY CITY, MI 48706-0128
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
Jonathan Jarosz, PO Box 1128, Bay City, MI 48706
Signed the 990
Jonathan Jarosz, Executive Director
Phone
(989) 737-9543
Return prepared by
TMH Consulting

Mission

Heart of the Lakes provides technical assistance, leadership training, and strategic communication tools that help organizations thrive - from grassroots land conservancies to larger regional conservation groups. Programs such as peer learning cohorts, mentorship opportunities, and shared resource libraries ensure that staff and boards are equipped to address emerging challenges like climate resilience, community engagement, and justice in conservation. Heart of the Lakes also leads storytelling and public awareness efforts that elevate the profile of conservation in Michigan. Through digital campaigns, publications, and earned media, it promotes the importance of land protection and outdoor access, often highlighting the real-world impact of its partners. These efforts help bridge the gap between policy, practice, and public support -- cultivating a conservation movement that is as effective as it is inclusive.

990 for the year ended September 30, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • Advocacy & Legal Engagement: Collaborated on a successful amicus brief in support of an easement violation case in Acme Township. Policy Engagement: Participated in Michigan Recreation & Parks Association's Capitol advocacy day and conference, championing urban open spaces. Federal -Level Advocacy: Joined Outdoor Industry Association events in D.C., engaging on topics like Farm Bill, Climate Corps, and equitable outdoor access. Awareness & Fundraising: Partnered with Boxed Water and Populace Coffee to promote conservation through branded fundraising bundles. Urban Restoration Efforts: Supported green space improvements in Detroit's Poletown East, coordinating with Detroit Parks Coalition and Detroit Future City. Conservation Summit Engagement: Hosted and contributed to the Michigan Outdoor Summit, addressing the outdoor economy, inclusivity, and future ecosystem investments. Monitoring Outcomes: Released its Michigan Protected Lands Survey, documenting protection of over 806,560 acres statewide.
    Expenses $263,528

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025September 30, 2026February 16, 2027Not due yet
2024September 30, 2025February 17, 2026990 on file
2023September 30, 2024February 18, 2025990 on file

IRS record

EIN
03-0548515
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2004
Accounting year ends
September
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Environment (C32)
Assets (IRS master file)
$135,649
Income (IRS master file)
$264,989

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990September 2025$264,989$319,955$135,649XML
990September 2024$305,789$264,317$198,227XML
990September 2023$296,179$340,583$139,509XML
990September 2022$297,363$226,887$161,654IRS
990September 2021–––IRS
990September 2020–––IRS
990September 2019–––IRS
990September 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 03-0548515).

Questions about HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY

What is the EIN of HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY?
The employer identification number (EIN) of HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY is 03-0548515.
Is HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2004.
Are donations to HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
Who is the principal officer of HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY?
The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names Jonathan Jarosz.
Who are the officers and directors of HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY?
The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 13 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $89,134 (Jonathan Jarosz, Executive Dir.).
How much revenue does HEART OF THE LAKES CENTER FOR LAND CONSERVATION POLICY have?
On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $264,989, expenses of $319,955 and total assets of $135,649 at year end.

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