2026-02-18T16:15:40-06:00 2025-06-30 410746749 CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP 220 S 6TH STREET SUITE 300 MINNEAPOLIS MN 55402 990 2024-07-01 237007115 FRESHWATER SOCIETY FRES 6513135800 2550 UNIVERSITY AVENUE W STE 212N SAINT PAUL MN 55114 MICHELLE STOCKNESS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6513135800 2026-02-17 1 0 AMANDA SYKORA P01607123 6123764500 2026-02-17 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X MICHELLE STOCKNESS 2550 UNIVERSITY AVENUE W STE 212N SAINT PAUL MN 55114 2616305 0 X WWW.FRESHWATER.ORG X 1968 MN INSPIRING AND EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO VALUE AND PRESERVE OUR FRESHWATER RESOURCES. 13 13 19 541 0 0 814657 638490 36300 142181 216999 485863 111893 156080 1179849 1422614 749633 140735 0 0 941322 1197401 0 0 164615 442936 615221 2133891 1953357 -954042 -530743 6402127 4904711 192252 325128 6209875 4579583 X INSPIRING AND EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO VALUE AND PRESERVE OUR FRESHWATER RESOURCES. 0 0 1328992 140735 297795 EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT:WE LED IMPACTFUL COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE MN WATER STEWARDS PROGRAM, LEADING THE MINNESOTA WATER WORKFORCE TEAM, OUR NATURE-BASED EDUCATION WORK WITH THE TEACHER FIELD SCHOOL, GROWING GREATER LAKES PROMISE TO BUILD LAND CONSERVATION TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE GREAT LAKES. THE WEATHERGUIDE CONTINUED TO INSPIRE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, WITH EFFORTS TO STREAMLINE PRODUCTION AND CONNECT WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. THROUGH EVENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND PARTNERSHIPS, WE ELEVATED WATER STEWARDSHIP AWARENESS AND WORKFORCE PATHWAYS. POLICY:WE STRENGTHENED OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS BY CREATING A CROSS-FUNCTIONAL POLICY TEAM TO ADDRESS WATER ISSUES AT LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE NATIONAL WORK ON SMART DATA CENTER SITING, TESTIFYING AT THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE, ENGAGING WITH STATE AND EIGHT FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, AND PARTICIPATING IN THE NATIONAL WATER POLICY FLY-IN. OUR TEAM CHAMPIONED CRITICAL ISSUES LIKE SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY, NITRATE CONTAMINATION, ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER, AND INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING, ENSURING A STRONG VOICE FOR WATER QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY.RESEARCH:WE ADVANCED WATER RESEARCH BY SEVERAL COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS INCLUDING COMPLETING OUR REPORT ON GROUNDWATER GOVERNANCE STRATEGIES FOR EPA REGION 5, SUPPORTED INITIATIVES LIKE THE ST. ANTHONY FALLS CUTOFF WALL INVESTIGATION, CONTINUED TO ASSIST WITH A MANAGED AQUIFER RECHARGE STUDY WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, AND CIRCULAR WATER ECONOMY EVALUATIONS. PRESENTATIONS AT KEY FORUMS AND ACTIVE PURSUIT OF STATEWIDE WATER REUSE PLANNING SOLIDIFIED OUR ROLE AS LEADERS IN WATER RESEARCH AND INNOVATION. 1328992 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 31 0 1 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 13 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 MN X X CATHY RUCCI FINANCE DIRECTOR 6513135800 2550 UNIVERSITY AVENUE W STE 212N SAINT PAUL MN 55114 DAVE LEUTHE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 LAURA PAGANO VICE CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 COREY LOHMILLER TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 DOUG THOMAS SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JOSEPHINE MARCOTTY PAST CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 BETH CARRENO DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JACQUES FINLAY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RYAN GODFREY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BARB HUBERTY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JEREMY LENZ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ALI LING DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SAM LOBBY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RENEE WILLETTE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 WADE CAMPBELL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RISIKAT ADESAOGUN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RYAN HURT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TYLER JOHNSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JILL LUCAS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 AARON TINJUM DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHELLE STOCKNESS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 177400 0 12860 CATHY RUCCI FINANCE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 80769 0 7544 ANDREA TODD FORMER FINANCE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 16082 0 0 CARRIE JENNINGS RESEARCH AND POLICY DIRECTOR 40.00 X 119477 0 12327 393728 0 32731 2 0 1 0 0 29171 975 608344 638490 CONTRACT REVENUE 900099 133481 133481 WATER CONSERVATION EDUCATION 611710 8700 8700 142181 85929 85929 1474306 1074372 399934 399934 399934 274933 119319 155614 155614 MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE 900099 466 466 466 1422614 297795 0 486329 X 140735 140735 315203 141167 156141 17895 715800 536799 81741 97260 30301 19347 7501 3453 67608 27506 35129 4973 68489 46796 13700 7993 6983 6983 31478 31478 33333 33333 49265 49265 229136 225784 3305 47 4716 4172 351 193 65558 49836 7123 8599 24550 10575 12245 1730 74778 44421 23041 7316 22386 21182 205 999 21271 11286 2333 7652 5327 3569 1172 586 19981 19981 MEMBERSHIPS 10167 6364 2773 1030 FEES AND MISCELLANEOUS 8504 480 5085 2939 STAFF TRAINING 7788 5640 198 1950 1953357 1328992 459750 164615 2197 2237 47333 149179 1058167 7924 98887 31417 31740 16851 23168 49587 45583 9331 4004 5104820 4307928 124087 287568 6402127 4904711 69619 83384 122633 241744 192252 325128 X 4771896 4579583 1437979 0 6209875 4579583 6402127 4904711 -530743 -149111 -950438 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 876223 794410 953227 1189657 638490 4452007 876223 794410 953227 1189657 638490 4452007 952951 3499056 549 508 86227 96781 85929 269994 130000 466 130466 4852467 453414 0.72110 0.67370 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: OTHER INCOME - 2021 AMOUNT: $ 130,000. 2024 AMOUNT: $ 466. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 33333 0 0 33333 0 PART II-B, LINE 1: FRESHWATER ENGAGES A GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONTRACTOR FOR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES. 14300 X 0 5104820 287205 988636 4403389 5246392 596226 737798 5104820 5083046 567540 404194 5246392 5828718 -513842 231830 5083046 4777938 1050780 5828718 1.00000 0.00000 0.00000 0 0 14739 12528 2211 34848 33055 1793 4004 ARTWORK 14300 RIGHT-TO-USE ASSET - OPERATING LEASE 273268 287568 LEASE LIABILITY 241744 241744 X 1343557 -149111 -149111 1492668 49265 -119319 -70054 1422614 2023411 119319 119319 1904092 49265 49265 1953357 PART III, LINE 1A: THE ORGANIZATION OWNS A SMALL NUMBER OF ARTWORK PIECES, INCLUDING ONE PAINTING CREATED FOR THE ORGANIZATION THAT IS DISPLAYED IN ITS BUILDING. ADDITIONAL ARTWORK WAS DONATED TO THE ORGANIZATION IN PRIOR YEARS AND IS CURRENTLY HELD IN STORAGE. THESE ITEMS ARE NOT HELD FOR INVESTMENT OR FINANCIAL GAIN AND ARE NOT INTEGRAL TO THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES. PART III, LINE 4: THE ORGANIZATION OWNS A SMALL NUMBER OF ARTWORK PIECES THAT ARE DECORATIVE IN NATURE. THESE ITEMS ARE NOT ACCESSIONED AS A COLLECTION, ARE NOT HELD FOR PUBLIC EXHIBITION, EDUCATION, OR RESEARCH, AND ARE NOT INTEGRAL TO THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT ACTIVITIES. THE ARTWORK IS NOT HELD FOR FINANCIAL GAIN AND DOES NOT FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE BEYOND INCIDENTAL DISPLAY. PART V, LINE 4: THE ORGANIZATION'S ENDOWMENT FUNDS ARE BOARD-DESIGNATED AND ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY AND SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S GENERAL OPERATIONS AND MISSION-RELATED ACTIVITIES. THE GOVERNING BOARD MAY APPROVE PERIODIC DRAWDOWNS TO SUPPLEMENT OPERATING REVENUE, MANAGE CASH FLOW, AND RESPOND TO ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS, WHILE SEEKING TO PRESERVE THE ENDOWMENT OVER THE LONG TERM. THE BOARD APPROVES AN ENDOWMENT SPENDING APPROACH THAT CONSIDERS A MULTI-YEAR TRAILING AVERAGE OF ENDOWMENT BALANCES WHEN DETERMINING DRAWDOWNS. PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. IT HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ORGANIZATION QUALIFY AS A CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION DEDUCTION FOR DONORS. FRESHWATER SOCIETY FOLLOWS THE INCOME TAX STANDARD REGARDING THE RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT OF UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS.FRESHWATER SOCIETY RETURNS ARE SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY FEDERAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES. FRESHWATER SOCIETY IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: COST OF GOODS SOLDS -119,319. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: COST OF GOODS SOLDS 119,319. 1 BLACK SWAMP CONSERVANCY PO BOX 332 PERRYSBURG OH 43552 341746749 501(C)(3) 30000 0 ORGANIZATION SUPPORT FOR SUBAWARD STAFF DURING GRANT PROJECT LANDMARK CONSERVANCY INC 500 MAIN STREET E STE 307 MENOMONIE WI 54751 391872550 501(C)(3) 20000 0 ORGANIZATION SUPPORT FOR SUBAWARD STAFF DURING GRANT PROJECT LITTLE FORKS CONSERVANCY PO BOX 2847 MIDLAND MI 48641 383353122 501(C)(3) 20000 0 ORGANIZATION SUPPORT FOR SUBAWARD STAFF DURING GRANT PROJECT MINNESOTA LAND TRUST 2356 UNIVERSITY AVE W SUITE 240 ST PAUL MN 55114 411713652 501(C)(3) 20000 0 ORGANIZATION SUPPORT FOR SUBAWARD STAFF DURING GRANT PROJECT SAIGNAW BASIN LAND CONSERVANCY 706 SOUTH EUCLID AVE BAY CITY MI 48706 813121257 501(C)(3) 20000 0 ORGANIZATION SUPPORT FOR SUBAWARD STAFF DURING GRANT PROJECT 5 0 PART I, LINE 2: FRESHWATER SOCIETY MAINTAINS RECORDS TO SUBSTANTIATE THE AMOUNTS OF GRANTS OR ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE PREPARATION OF SUB-AWARD AGREEMENTS. EACH ORGANIZATION IS VETTED FOR ELIGIBILITY DURING THE SUB-AWARD RECRUITMENT PHASE OF THE GRANT PROJECT. SUB-AWARDEES ARE SELECTED EITHER TO PROVIDE SUPPORT (TECHNICAL OR OTHER) TO FRESHWATER IN ACCOMPLISHING PROJECT OBJECTIVES, OR ARE BEING SUPPORTED BY FRESHWATER AS PART OF THOSE OBJECTIVES. EACH SUB-AWARDEE IS REQUIRED TO REPORT ON HOW THEIR FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED ON A FREQUENCY BASED ON THEIR SPECIFIC AGREEMENTS. THIS NORMALLY RANGES FROM ONE TO SIX MONTHS. X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MICHELLE STOCKNESS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 152400 0 25000 0 0 0 0 0 12860 0 190260 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 1A THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS COMPOSED OF OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ALL OF WHOM ARE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY. NO NON-BOARD MEMBERS SERVE ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS AUTHORIZED TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD BETWEEN REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS ON MATTERS REQUIRING TIMELY ACTION, CONSISTENT WITH AUTHORITY DELEGATED IN THE BYLAWS. ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ARE REPORTED TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE FORM 990 IS PREPARED BY MANAGEMENT WITH ASSISTANCE FROM EXTERNAL PROFESSIONALS AND IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE CONCURRENTLY WITH THE ANNUAL AUDIT. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO APPROVE THE FORM 990 ON BEHALF OF THE FULL BOARD PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY APPLIES TO ALL DIRECTORS AND KEY EMPLOYEES AND REQUIRES ANNUAL WRITTEN DISCLOSURE OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AS WELL AS PROMPT DISCLOSURE OF ANY CONFLICTS THAT ARISE DURING THE YEAR. DISCLOSURES ARE REVIEWED BY MANAGEMENT AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHICH EVALUATES THE RELEVANT FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES AND DETERMINES WHETHER A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS. WHEN A CONFLICT IS IDENTIFIED, THE AFFECTED INDIVIDUAL IS REQUIRED TO RECUSE THEMSELVES FROM DISCUSSIONS AND DECISIONS RELATED TO THE MATTER, MAY NOT ADVOCATE FOR THE TRANSACTION, AND IS NOT COUNTED TOWARD QUORUM OR VOTING. ANY TRANSACTION INVOLVING A CONFLICT MAY PROCEED ONLY WITH APPROVAL BY DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLICY. COMPLIANCE WITH THE POLICY IS MONITORED THROUGH THE ANNUAL DISCLOSURE PROCESS AND ONGOING OVERSIGHT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND ALL PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, INCLUDING DISCLOSURES, RECUSALS, AND APPROVALS, ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE OFFICIAL MINUTES OF BOARD MEETINGS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR AN AUTHORIZED COMMITTEE COMPOSED SOLELY OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS. THE REVIEW CONSIDERS COMPARABILITY DATA, SUCH AS PEER NONPROFIT COMPENSATION INFORMATION, AND IS DOCUMENTED CONTEMPORANEOUSLY IN MEETING MATERIALS AND MINUTES. COMPENSATION FOR OTHER OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF THE APPROVED BUDGET AND COMPENSATION FRAMEWORK, WITH OVERSIGHT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR AN AUTHORIZED COMMITTEE. COMPARABILITY DATA, INCLUDING PEER NONPROFIT COMPENSATION INFORMATION AND INTERNAL EQUITY CONSIDERATIONS, IS CONSIDERED, AND COMPENSATION DECISIONS ARE DOCUMENTED CONTEMPORANEOUSLY THROUGH BUDGET MATERIALS, PERSONNEL RECORDS, AND APPROVAL DOCUMENTATION. THE PROCESS DESCRIBED HERE WAS LAST COMPLETED IN 2025. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION ARE HANDLED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY WHILE PROTECTING CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G OTHER CONTRACTED SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 225,784. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 3,305. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 47. TOTAL EXPENSES 229,136.