Overview
What is Discovery Center Great Lakes?
The Discovery Center Great Lakes, a nonprofit entity located at 13170 S West Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684, serves as a shared campus for five organizations focusing on water and natural resources. This center attracts approximately 40,000 annual visitors, primarily drawn to the Great Lakes Children's Museum. Additionally, guests can engage in various programs offered by the other on-site organizations. The Discovery Pier, part of the center, is home to four historic Great Lakes tall ships and wooden boats, offering cruises for over 15,000 passengers each year. One of the tall ships runs a therapeutic program for at-risk youth during the summer, while another operates an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) science program for high and middle school students. The center provides an opportunity for people of all ages, abilities, and needs to connect with the Great Lakes, promoting recreation, education, history, science, and stewardship.
Official website here: www.discoverygreatlakes.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating: 96% (Four-Star out of Four Star rating)
Discovery Center Great Lakes has received an impressive Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong commitment to accountability and financial transparency. The charity's overall score is derived solely from its high accountability and finance score, highlighting its effective governance and sound financial practices.
The organization boasts a fully independent board, which is a significant strength, indicating robust oversight and decision-making processes. With no material diversion of assets reported, a high program expense ratio of 86.64%, and comprehensive policies in place for conflict of interest, document retention, and financial oversight, Discovery Center Great Lakes demonstrates a strong dedication to responsible management of its resources.
However, the absence of a whistleblower policy noted in the evaluation is a limitation that could be addressed to enhance transparency further. While the overall ratings are exceptionally positive, implementing such policies could strengthen stakeholders' trust and contribute to a more robust governance framework.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
What do the Facebook reviews say about Discovery Center Great Lakes?
90% of reviewers on Facebook recommend Discovery Center Great Lakes. Here is a summary of their reviews:
Many patrons appreciate the Center’s mission of connecting individuals to water and the importance of protecting aquatic ecosystems. The focus on fostering a love for the Great Lakes resonates with visitors, highlighting the organization's effectiveness in promoting environmental awareness.
Overall, the sentiment is positive, with users feeling engaged and inspired by the programs offered. The nonprofit's commitment to educating the community about water protection appears to be well-received, indicating that it successfully aligns with its mission.
This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.
Is Discovery Center Great Lakes legitimate?
Discovery Center Great Lakes is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Discovery Center Great Lakes 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: $117,851
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $59,420
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.discoverygreatlakes.org
What is the mission statement of Discovery Center Great Lakes?
The Discovery Center Great Lakes has a mission to connect individuals of various ages, abilities, and needs to the Great Lakes. This is achieved through recreation, education, history, science, and stewardship. The center serves as a campus for several nonprofit organizations with a focus on water and natural resources, attracting over 40,000 guests annually. The Discovery Pier, a part of the center, offers a collection of Great Lakes tall ships and historic wooden boats, providing cruises for thousands of passengers each year. One of the tall ships hosts a therapeutic program for at-risk youth, while another operates an underwater remotely operated vehicle science program for high and middle school students. The center also provides opportunities for the public to view the tall ships, fish from the pier, picnic, or enjoy the scenic view.
Official website here: www.discoverygreatlakes.org
Who is the CEO of Discovery Center Great Lakes?
Matthew Mcdonough is the Chair of Discovery Center Great Lakes. The CEO's salary of Discovery Center Great Lakes is $0 and their total compensation is $142,818.
Official website here: www.discoverygreatlakes.org
What is the revenue of Discovery Center Great Lakes?
Discovery Center Great Lakes's revenue in 2023 was $2,379,559.
Official website here: www.discoverygreatlakes.org
Who are the executives of Discovery Center Great Lakes and what are their salaries?
There 19 volunteers at Discovery Center Great Lakes.
Here are 14 key members and their salaries (Discovery Center Great Lakes's CEO's salary is $0 and their total compensation is $142,818):
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- Related: $130,221
- Other: $12,597
Official website here: www.discoverygreatlakes.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Discovery Center Great Lakes?
Discovery Center Great Lakes's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2023 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.discoverygreatlakes.org
Learn more at the official website: www.discoverygreatlakes.org
Mission Statement of Discovery Center Great Lakes
Discovery Center Great Lakes, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to bridging the gap between people of various ages, abilities, and needs and the Great Lakes. Its mission is accomplished through recreation, education, history, science, and stewardship. By providing a platform for several water and natural resource-focused nonprofits, the Discovery Center connects a substantial number of guests each year, primarily drawn to the Great Lakes Children's Museum. The Discovery Pier, another facet of the center, offers a collection of historic Great Lakes tall ships and wooden boats. Over 15,000 passengers take cruises on two of these vessels annually. One of the tall ships operates a therapeutic program for at-risk youth during the summer, while another vessel conducts an underwater remotely operated vehicle science program for high and middle school students. The Discovery Pier also serves as a spot for the public to admire the tall ships, fish, picnic, or simply appreciate the view, fostering a stronger connection between people and the Great Lakes.
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Impact
July, 2024
Discovery Center Great Lakes impacts the community by connecting people of all ages, abilities, and needs to the Great Lakes through recreation, education, history, science, and stewardship. With a campus that hosts various organizations focusing on water and natural resources, including the Great Lakes Children's Museum, the center attracts over 40,000 guests annually. Additionally, the Discovery Pier features four Great Lakes tall ships and historic wooden boats, offering cruises to more than 15,000 passengers each year.
Moreover, the center's outreach programs, such as hosting a therapeutic program for at-risk youth and engaging high and middle school students in underwater remotely operated vehicle science projects, make a significant impact on the community. By providing opportunities for hands-on learning and fostering a deeper appreciation for freshwater ecology, Discovery Center Great Lakes plays a vital role in promoting environmental awareness and education.
Furthermore, the center serves as a public space where individuals can enjoy the beauty of the tall ships, fish from the pier, picnic, and take in the scenic views. Through its diverse offerings and inclusive approach, Discovery Center Great Lakes creates a positive impact on the community, enriching lives and fostering a deeper connection to the Great Lakes and natural resources.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Discovery Center Great Lakes. 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.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2023.
- Investment Income: $11,843
- Program Service Revenue: $121,035
- Gross Receipts: $2,379,559
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $8,886,742
- Total Liabilities: $663,426
- Net Assets: $8,223,316
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
RENTAL INCOME
Revenue
$72,158
PARTNER SLIP RENTALS
Revenue
$48,667
PRIVATE SEASONAL
Revenue
$210
Organization Details
Founding Year
2006
Phone
(231) 715-5200Principal Officer
Matthew Mcdonough
Main Address
13170 S WEST BAY SHORE DRIVE 100, TRAVERSE CITY, MI, 49684
Website
www.discoverygreatlakes.orgNTEE Category
Code: A192 - Arts
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