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Ballard Family Nature Center Inc

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 371389458 ✦ Altamont, IL ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Ballard Family Nature Center Inc?

Ballard Family Nature Center Inc, located in Altamont, Illinois, functions as a community-focused nature center. The organization's mission is to provide high-quality environmental education, emphasizing the significance of natural communities, particularly those native to southeastern Illinois. To achieve this, they offer various nature interpretive programs, catering to around 35 schools through field trips, classes, displays, trails, and other means. The center organizes approximately 20 sessions of 3-day kids camps, about 12 family programs, and 5 adult programs annually. The trails are accessible every day of the year from dawn until dusk, while the visitor center operates from 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, with reduced hours on weekends. Ballard Nature Center's staff comprises two dedicated individuals, working diligently to fulfill their mission and provide valuable educational experiences to visitors.


Official website here: www.ballardnaturecenter.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 76% (Three-Star out of Four Star Rating)

Ballard Family Nature Center Inc holds a Three-Star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating a solid level of accountability and finance management. The organization demonstrates strong governance, with a fully independent board comprising 15 members and no material diversion of assets. Additionally, its program expense ratio is commendable at 87.43%, showcasing a commitment to utilizing funds effectively for its mission.

However, the organization does have some areas that require improvement. It lacks a conflict of interest policy, whistleblower policy, and a document retention and destruction policy, which are critical elements for transparency and accountability. While the organization maintains good practices in terms of board meeting minutes and financial disclosures, addressing these policy gaps would enhance its overall governance framework.

Overall, while Ballard Family Nature Center Inc exhibits strong financial health and responsible management, enhancing its policy framework could further bolster its credibility and effectiveness in serving its mission.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

What do the Facebook reviews say about Ballard Family Nature Center Inc?

94% of 56 reviewers on Facebook recommend Ballard Family Nature Center Inc. Here is a summary of their reviews:

Visitors consistently praise the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the center, highlighting the friendliness and expertise of the staff and volunteers. Many families, including those with young children, appreciate the engaging environment and the educational opportunities available, making it a great destination for a fun and informative outing.

Overall, the positive feedback indicates that this nonprofit effectively creates a memorable experience for its visitors, encouraging them to return. The combination of knowledgeable personnel and a family-friendly environment appears to resonate well with the community.


This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.

Is Ballard Family Nature Center Inc legitimate?

Ballard Family Nature Center Inc is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Ballard Family Nature Center Inc submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $48,155
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $0

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.ballardnaturecenter.org

What is the mission statement of Ballard Family Nature Center Inc?

The Ballard Family Nature Center Inc aims to deliver top-notch environmental education to students, educators, organizations, and individuals. This is achieved through various means, including visitor interpretation, educational displays, and natural community restoration and management. The center's educational programs emphasize the significance of natural communities and their associated ecosystems, particularly those commonly found in southeastern Illinois. The goal is to instill a deep understanding and appreciation for these vital ecosystems.


Official website here: www.ballardnaturecenter.org

Who is the CEO of Ballard Family Nature Center Inc?

Terry Probst is the Treasurer of Ballard Family Nature Center Inc.


Official website here: www.ballardnaturecenter.org

What is the revenue of Ballard Family Nature Center Inc?

Ballard Family Nature Center Inc's revenue in 2022 was $191,949.


Official website here: www.ballardnaturecenter.org

Who are the executives of Ballard Family Nature Center Inc and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Ballard Family Nature Center Inc during 2022 was $24,078. There are 2 employees and 55 volunteers at Ballard Family Nature Center Inc.


Here are 15 key members and their salaries:


Terry Esker (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Mary Ann Hoeffliger (Vice President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Debbie Clagg (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Chris Niebrugge (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Mark Flack (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kevin Roepke (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Billie Bales (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Brett Higgs (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Lynn Higss (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Sami Childerson (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Terry Probst (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Joe Fearday (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Steve Niemerg (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Karan Gruel (Co-Director)
  • Compensation: $33,724
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Joyce Green (Co-Director)
  • Compensation: $14,432
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.ballardnaturecenter.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Ballard Family Nature Center Inc?

Ballard Family Nature Center Inc's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.ballardnaturecenter.org

Learn more at the official website: www.ballardnaturecenter.org

Mission Statement of Ballard Family Nature Center Inc

The Ballard Family Nature Center Inc, a devoted environmental education provider, is committed to delivering high-quality educational experiences to visitors. Emphasizing the significance of natural communities, the Center aims to educate students, educators, organizations, and individuals through visitor interpretation, educational displays, and natural community restoration and management. The organization's mission is to highlight the importance of natural communities and their associated ecosystems, particularly those typically found in southeastern Illinois. By doing so, the Ballard Nature Center seeks to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the environment among its visitors.

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Impact




June, 2024

Ballard Family Nature Center Inc provides high-quality environmental education to students, educators, organizations, and individuals by emphasizing the importance of natural communities and their associated ecosystems, particularly those found in southeastern Illinois. They achieve this through visitor interpretation, educational displays, and natural community restoration and management. The center serves 35 public and private schools through field trips, classes, displays, trails, and various other means. Additionally, they offer approximately 20 sessions of 3-day kids camps, 12 family programs, and 5 adult programs per year. The trails are open every day from dawn until dusk, and the visitor center operates Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm with reduced hours on weekends. Their impact extends to creating awareness about environmental conservation and fostering a deeper connection with nature among the community they serve.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Ballard Family Nature Center Inc. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$191,949 (2022)
Expenses
$233,683 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $31,670
  • Program Service Revenue: $11,071
  • Gross Receipts: $203,824

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $2,080,646
  • Total Liabilities: $804
  • Net Assets: $2,079,842

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

FIELD TRIPS AND CAMPS

Revenue

$11,071

Organization Details

Founding Year

1999

Principal Officer

Terry Probst

Main Address

5253 EAST US HWY 40, ALTAMONT, IL, 62411

NTEE Category

Code: C990 - Environment

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