Nonprofit · EIN 81-1815580
BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS
Tax-exempt · PETOSKEY, MI 49770
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990-EZ | $126,312 | $86,013 | $40,299 | $54,744 | – | $54,744 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990-EZ | $58,307 | $61,334 | -$3,027 | $50,870 | $36,425 | $14,445 |
Financial details: 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $107,903
- Investment income
- $4
- Net income from fundraising events
- $18,405
Expenses
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $19,851
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $12,167
- Professional fees and payments to contractors
- $52,011
- Occupancy
- $775
- Printing, publications and postage
- $641
- Other expenses
- $20,419
- Program services (functional)
- $86,013
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $50,870
- Total assets, end of year
- $54,744
- Total liabilities, end of year
- –
- Net assets, end of year
- $54,744
- Cash, savings and investments
- $54,504
- Gross receipts
- $142,474
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-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebeca Otto | Executive Director | 20 | $11,077 |
| Pete Kehoe | Trustee | 2 | $8,174 |
| Michelle Chenard | Trustee | 1 | $600 |
| Jeff Wynder | President | 3 | $0 |
| Jeff Patton | Treasurer | 1 | $0 |
| Sheela Welch | Secretary | 1 | $0 |
| Jenny Greer | Director | 1 | $0 |
| Sakura Springbourn | Director | 1 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024: 7 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PETE KEHOE | PRESIDENT | 3 | $7,200 |
| MICHELLE CHENARD | ADMINISTRATOR | 1 | $2,400 |
| JEFF PATTON | TREASURER | 1 | $0 |
| BRIAN WAGNER | SECRETARY | 1 | $0 |
| OLIVIER BOINAIS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $0 |
| SHEELA WELCH | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $0 |
| JEFF WYNDER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 124, PETOSKEY, MI 49770-0124
- Mailing address (990-N for 2023)
- PO BOX 124, PETOSKEY MI 49770
- Principal officer (990-N for 2023)
- MICHELLE CHENARD, PO BOX 124, PETOSKEY MI 49770
- Signed the 990-EZ
- Jeff Patton, Treasurer
- Phone
- (231) 881-2591
- Return prepared by
- JCaldwell Consulting PLLC
Mission
BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS, INC. (BWCA OR BIG WATER) SHARES THE JOY OF MUSIC THROUGH EDUCATION, INSTRUCTION, AND PERFORMANCES THAT BUILD COMMUNITY AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR YOUTH, STUDENTS WITH COFNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS, AND LIFELONG LEARNERS ACROSS NORTHERN MICHIGAN. BWCA ACHIEVES ITS MISSION BY PROVIDING FREE, ACCESSIBLE MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT EMMET AND NEIGHBORING COUNTIES. ENSURING THAT ALL STUDENTS, INCLUDING GIRLS AND WOMEN, HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION, SKILL-BUILDING, AND PERSONAL GROWTH. THESE PROGRAMS FOSTER CONFIDENCE, COLLABORATION, AND A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT SUPPORTS OVERALL WELL-BEING.
Program accomplishments
- BWCA DELIVERED EIGHT DISTINCT PROGRAMS SERVING YOUTH AND ADULTS ACROSS EMMET, CHEBOYGAN, AND OTSEGO COUNTIES. CORE OFFEREINGS INCLUDED ROCK JAM, JAZZ LAB, COMBO, MUSIC EXPLORATION, SONGWRITING, BEGINNING GUITAR, AND UKULELE CLASSES. THROUGH SCHOOL-BASED AND COMMUNITY CLASSES, THESE PROGRAMS REACHED A WIDE RANGE OF LEARNERS, FROM STUDENTS WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS TO HIGH SCHOOL MUSICIANS AND ADULT BEGINNERS.Expenses $86,013
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-EZ on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990-EZ on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990-N on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 81-1815580
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2016
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A25)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $54,744
- Income (IRS master file)
- $142,474
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990-EZ | December 2025 | $126,312 | $86,013 | $54,744 | XML |
| 990-EZ | December 2024 | $58,307 | $61,334 | $50,870 | XML |
| 990-N for 2023 Officer: MICHELLE CHENARD | December 31, 2023 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
| 990-N for 2022 Officer: Michelle Chenard | December 31, 2022 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
| 990-N for 2020 Officer: MICHELLE CHENARD | December 31, 2020 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
| 990-N for 2019 Officer: MICHELLE CHENARD | December 31, 2019 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
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 81-1815580).
Questions about BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS
- What is the EIN of BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS is 81-1815580.
- Is BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2016.
- Are donations to BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS 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 BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS 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 BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-EZ for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS?
- The 990-N for 2023 names MICHELLE CHENARD.
- Who are the officers and directors of BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS?
- The 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 8 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $11,077 (Rebeca Otto, Executive Director).
- How much revenue does BIG WATER CREATIVE ARTS have?
- On its 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $126,312, expenses of $86,013 and total assets of $54,744 at year end.
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All nonprofits in PETOSKEY · Michigan · Arts, culture and humanities