Nonprofit · EIN 23-7104524
ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES
Also known as LAKE MICHIGAN FEDERATION
Tax-exempt · CHICAGO, IL 60601
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $6,835,904 | $6,145,643 | $690,261 | $15,593,092 | $968,500 | $14,624,592 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $7,796,398 | $6,271,307 | $1,525,091 | $13,731,622 | $986,101 | $12,745,521 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $3,752,283 | $4,304,141 | -$551,858 | $11,591,336 | $943,859 | $10,647,477 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $6,617,643
- of which government grants
- $1,199,266
- Program service revenue
- $26,869
- Investment income
- $278,108
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$86,716
- Other revenue
- -$86,716
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $286,369
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,502,081
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,431,996
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $38,900
- Occupancy
- $138,524
- Travel
- $58,267
- Depreciation
- $19,525
- Program services (functional)
- $4,746,691
- Management and general (functional)
- $688,149
- Fundraising (functional)
- $710,803
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $13,731,622
- Total assets, end of year
- $15,593,092
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $968,500
- Net assets, end of year
- $14,624,592
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $22,942
- Publicly traded securities
- $7,890,688
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $9,891,123
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $4,733,469
- Gross receipts
- $6,947,742
- Employees
- 30
- Volunteers
- 10,614
- Year formed
- 1971
- State of legal domicile
- IL
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 December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOEL BRAMMEIER | PRESIDENT & CEO Officer | 40 | $251,564 | $34,806 |
| KELLY FARLEY | VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $145,313 | $24,719 |
| MATTHEW ALTSTIEL | VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPM Highest-paid employee | 40 | $141,149 | $16,271 |
| MELEAH GEERTSMA | DIRECTOR OF CLEAN WATER & EQUITY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $125,307 | $24,644 |
| ANGELA LARSEN | PLANNING DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,359 | $19,964 |
| THOMAS FAZZINI | COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $120,973 | $16,192 |
| BILL HENRY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY HILL KNOT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CANDACE LAROCHELLE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN MCDERMOTT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA PAYNE | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE CHAVAS | NOMINATIONS CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS WINTERS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIM FRICK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
8 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALAN STEINMAN | VICE CHAIR POLICY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| DAVID HACKETT | VICE CHAIR DEVELOPMENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| WREN MONTGOMERY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| SRI VEDACHALAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| TIMOTHY ALSTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| NICK LONGO | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| KEVIN JORDAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| STEVE MCDOUGAL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOEL BRAMMEIER | PRESIDENT & CEO Officer | 40 | $244,332 | $32,833 |
| MOLLY FLANAGAN | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $180,195 | $19,308 |
| ANGELA LARSEN | PLANNING DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $133,476 | $19,800 |
| THOMAS ZIMNICKI | AGRICULTURE & WATER POLICY DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,514 | $20,067 |
| MATTHEW ALTSTIEL | VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $127,975 | $15,273 |
| KELLY FARLEY | VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $114,835 | $26,204 |
| DONALD JODREY | DIRECTOR FEDERAL RELATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $123,318 | $8,295 |
| BILL HENRY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY HILL KNOT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CANDACE LAROCHELLE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN MCDERMOTT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA PAYNE | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE CHAVAS | NOMINATIONS CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS WINTERS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIM FRICK | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ALAN STEINMAN | VICE CHAIR POLICY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID HACKETT | VICE CHAIR DEVELOPMENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WREN MONTGOMERY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SRI VEDACHALAM | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIMOTHY ALSTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 26 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOEL BRAMMEIER | PRESIDENT & CEO Officer | 40 | $204,334 | $18,359 |
| MOLLY FLANAGAN | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $171,365 | $10,003 |
| CRYSTAL DAVIS | VP OF POLICY AND STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $132,940 | $13,783 |
| ANGELA LARSEN | PLANNING DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $123,450 | $8,939 |
| KELLY FARLEY | VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,557 | $13,943 |
| THOMAS ZIMNICKI | AGRICULTURE & RESTORATION POLICY DIRECTOR Highest-paid employee | 40 | $120,508 | $7,501 |
| DONALD JODREY | DIRECTOR FEDERAL RELATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $117,975 | $1,786 |
| BILL HENRY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID SCHMAHL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| QUENTIN JAMES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JO-ELLE MOGERMAN | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VANESSA TEY IOSUE | VICE CHAIR POLICY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS LANGMYER | CHAIR NOMINATIONS Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY HILL KNOT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CANDACE LAROCHELLE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN MCDERMOTT | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA PAYNE | VICE CHAIR DEVELOPMENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE CHAVAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS WINTERS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHERINE JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL GUZMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIM FRICK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ALAN STEINMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID HACKETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WREN MONTGOMERY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SRI VEDACHALAM | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 150 N MICHIGAN AVE STE 750, CHICAGO, IL 60601-8048
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- JOEL BRAMMEIER, 150 N MICHIGAN AVENUE 750, CHICAGO, IL 60601
- Signed the 990
- JOEL BRAMMEIER, PRESIDENT & CEO
- Phone
- (312) 939-0838
- Website
- WWW.GREATLAKES.ORG
- Return prepared by
- PASQUESI SHEPPARD LLC
Mission
TO PROTECT, CONSERVE, AND RESTORE THE GREAT LAKES, ENSURING HEALTHY WATER IN THE LAKES AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES FOR ALL GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE.
Program accomplishments
- ADVOCACY & LEADERSHIP: ADVOCACY & LEADERSHIP ILLUSTRATES HOW THE ALLIANCE PARTNERS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, BUSINESSES, CIVIC GROUPS AND DECISION-MAKERS TO DEVELOP ACTIONABLE SOLUTIONS TO PROTECT OUR LAKES AND GIVE VOICE TO INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES. THIS YEAR OUR ADVOCACY HELPED PROPEL SEVERAL INITIATIVES FORWARD WHERE THE ALLIANCE HAS TAKEN A LEADERSHIP ROLE FOR MANY YEARS. CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON THE BRANDON ROAD LOCK & DAM PROJECT TO STOP INVASIVE CARP FROM ENTERING LAKE MICHIGAN. OUR TEAM ANALYZED AND COMMUNICATED THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON STATES AND COMMUNITIES OF PROPOSED CUTS TO FEDERAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING AND THE CUTS NEVER MATERIALIZED. WE CONTINUED TO SUPPORT A BROAD-BASED EFFORT TO CLEAN UP THE GREAT LAKES THROUGH THE GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE AND SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED GREAT LAKES SCIENCE PROGRAMS FROM PROPOSED CUTS. EACH IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE ALLIANCE'S ROLE IN HELPING SHAPE POLICY AND DRIVE SOLUTIONS THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION.Expenses $1,345,632 · revenue $7,617
- EDUCATION & ACTION: EDUCATION & ACTION IS HOW THE ALLIANCE ACTIVATES RESIDENTS, BY GIVING THEM ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND PROGRAMS THAT MOTIVATE THEM TO BECOME INDIVIDUAL ADVOCATES FOR THE LAKES. IN 2025, THE ALLIANCE'S EFFORTS RESULTED IN NEARLY 13,000 MESSAGES SEND FROM OUR SUPPORTERS TO ELECTED OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PASS LAWS AND REGULATIONS TO PROTECT THE LAKES. MORE THAN 10,000 VOLUNTEERS REMOVED MORE THAN 500,000 PIECES OF LITTER FROM BEACHES ON ALL FIVE GREAT LAKES THROUGH THE ADOPT-A-BEACH PROGRAM.Expenses $1,684,745 · revenue $9,537
- RESEARCH & ANALYSIS: RESEARCH & ANALYSIS SUPPORTS THE ALLIANCE'S ADVOCACY AGENDAS BY PAIRING DATA AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WITH POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE LAKES. IN 2025, THE ALLIANCE RELEASED SEVERAL REPORTS THAT SHOWCASE THESE EFFORTS. WE RELEASED A GROUNDBREAKING REPORT ON THE PROLIFERATION OF LARGE-SCALE WATER USERS IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION, SUCH AS DATA CENTERS AND AGRICULTURE, AND CALLED FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND POLICY SOLUTIONS THAT SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHILE PROTECTING THE REGION'S WATER SUPPLY. IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR PARTNER CLEAN WISCONSIN, WE RELEASED A REPORT SHOWING HOW THOUSANDS OF HOUSEHOLDS IN WISCONSIN ARE PAYING HIGHER WATER COSTS AND SUFFERING INCREASED HEALTH RISKS DUE TO NITRATE POLLUTION FROM LIVESTOCK FARMS ENTERING THEIR WATER SUPPLY. AS A PART OF THE STATE REVOLVING FUND ADVOCATES FORUM, WE CO-AUTHORED A REPORT THAT HIGHLIGHTED THE PAST 3 YEARS OF THE FORUM'S WORK AND DOCUMENTED SUCCESSES IN THE EFFORT TO GAIN MORE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.Expenses $1,716,314 · revenue $9,715
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 December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 23-7104524
- 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
- 1971
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $15,593,092
- Income (IRS master file)
- $6,947,742
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $6,835,904 | $6,145,643 | $15,593,092 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $7,796,398 | $6,271,307 | $13,731,622 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $3,752,283 | $4,304,141 | $11,591,336 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $4,489,142 | $4,141,099 | $11,555,207 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | $5,836,934 | $1,323,677 | $11,314,434 | IRS |
| 990 | August 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | August 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 23-7104524).
Questions about ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES
- What is the EIN of ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES is 23-7104524.
- Is ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1971.
- Are donations to ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES 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 ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names JOEL BRAMMEIER.
- Who are the officers and directors of ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 23 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $251,564 (JOEL BRAMMEIER, PRESIDENT & CEO).
- How much revenue does ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $6,835,904, expenses of $6,145,643 and total assets of $15,593,092 at year end.
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