LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC

Financials

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 March 31, 2026, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

1 COLLEGE ST, BURLINGTON, VT 05401-5215

In care of

% CHRIS MILLER

Principal officer (990 for 2025)

EDWARD LAWSON, 1 COLLEGE STREET, BURLINGTON, VT 05401

Signed the 990

EDWARD LAWSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Phone

(802) 864-1848

Website

WWW.ECHOVERMONT.ORG

Return prepared by

DAVIS & HODGDON ASSOCIATES CPAS PLC

Mission

ECHO'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE EVERYONE IN THE JOY OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, WONDER OF NATURE, AND CARE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN.

Program accomplishments

• THE PUBLIC FACE OF THE LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC. (DBA ECHO, LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN OR ECHO) IS VERMONT'S PREMIER SCIENCE AND NATURE MUSEUM, LOCATED ON BURLINGTON'S WATERFRONT OVERLOOKING BEAUTIFUL LAKE CHAMPLAIN. OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE EVERYONE IN THE JOY OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, WONDER OF NATURE, AND CARE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. VISITORS CAN EXPLORE OVER 100 INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, ENCOUNTER 50 LIVE SPECIES, ENJOY SEASONAL CHANGING EXHIBITIONS, AND EXPERIENCE IMMERSIVE SCIENCE AND NATURE MOVIES IN OUR DEALER.COM 3D THEATER. SINCE OPENING OUR DOORS IN 2003, WE'VE WELCOMED MORE THAN 3 MILLION VISITORS WHILE OPERATING 360 DAYS PER YEAR. TODAY, OUR EXHIBITS, PROGRAMS, AND COLLECTION OF NATIVE AQUATIC ANIMALS REACH MORE THAN 160,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY. THIS INCLUDES 16,000 MEMBERS, 7,500 SCHOOL GROUP VISITORS, 30,000 REDUCED-OR FREE-ADMISSION GUESTS, AND 10,000 STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES THROUGH OUR STATEWIDE RURAL OUTREACH PROGRAM. ECHO IS A PUBLIC PLACE WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME AND BELONG, WHERE SCIENCE AND NATURE COME ALIVE, AND WHERE STEWARDSHIP FOR A BETTER TOMORROW TAKES ROOT AND GROWS THROUGHOUT VERMONT. THE NONPROFIT IS GOVERNED BY A 17-MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHICH RETAINS RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFINING ECHO'S OVERALL STRATEGIC DIRECTION, ENSURING THE INSTITUTION REMAINS ON TRACK AND ACHIEVES ITS GOALS. THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ECHO BOARD INCLUDE FINANCE, FUNDRAISING, STRATEGY, AND POLICY. AS A GENERAL MATTER, BOARD MEMBERS ARE NOT DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN ECHO'S DAILY OPERATIONS, AS THESE DUTIES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MANAGEMENT. BOARD MEMBERS SERVE ON ONE OF FOUR COMMITTEES THAT MEET MULTIPLE TIMES EACH YEAR: POLICY & GOVERNANCE, PLANNING & FINANCE, AUDIT & ETHICS, INVESTMENT, AND STEWARDSHIP. THE ENTIRE BOARD MEETS QUARTERLY WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR. PRINCIPAL PROGRAMS & ANNUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: SUPPORTED BY MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIPS AND AN INFORMED UNDERSTANDING OF AUDIENCE NEED, ECHO PROVIDES HIGH-IMPACT SCIENCE-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN AND OUTSIDE OUR WALLS. ANIMAL CARE PROGRAM: PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND ECOLOGY BY CONNECTING THE PUBLIC TO 50 NATIVE SPECIES OF FISH, AMPHIBIANS, AND REPTILES WITH TWICE-DAILY ANIMAL CARE DEMOS AND BACK-OF-HOUSE TOURS. TURTLE HEADSTART PROGRAM: ECHO PARTNERS WITH THE VERMONT FISH & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE CARE FOR NEONATE SPINY SOFTSHELL AND MAP TURTLES THROUGHOUT THE WINTER. THE BIGGER TURTLES ARE RELEASED INTO LAKE CHAMPLAIN IN THE SUMMER, GIVING THEM A BETTER CHANCE OF SURVIVAL. ECHO EARLY LEARNING: EEL IS A FREE, ACADEMIC YEAR-LONG, CAREGIVER-CHILD PROGRAM TRAINING CAREGIVERS AND SUPPORTING HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS FOR EARLY LEARNERS OUTSIDE THE FORMAL CARE SYSTEM. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS PLAY-BASED LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AND CAREGIVERS TOGETHER, READING READINESS, CAREGIVER LEARNING, AND RESOURCES TO FOSTER SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, AND ENRICHING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN AT HOME. STATEWIDE STEM OUTREACH: WE DELIVER HANDS-ON STEM PROGRAMS AND TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO RURAL, UNDERSERVED EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSROOMS WHILE CREATING A NEW CAREER AWARENESS CURRICULUM AND TAKE-HOME STEM ACTIVITY KITS. EACH YEAR, ECHO EDUCATORS WORK WITH OVER 60 EDUCATORS AND 900 STUDENTS. TEACHER INSTITUTE: TEACHERS FROM ACROSS VERMONT PARTICIPATE IN AN ECHO-LED, YEAR-LONG COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE TO INTEGRATE ENGINEERING DESIGN INTO THEIR CLASSROOM CURRICULA. TRAVELING STEM FESTIVALS: STEM FESTIVALS TRAVEL IN OUR STEM IN MOTION BOX TRUCK AND INCLUDE ENOUGH ACTIVITIES AND ENGINEERING CHALLENGES TO FILL A GYM. E-TEAM: OUR TEEN INTERN TEAM MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN WEEKLY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, TAKE MONTHLY CAREER EXPLORATION FIELD TRIPS, AND WORK IN THE ENGINEER IT PROGRAM SPACE FOR 4 HOURS PER WEEK. COLLEGE INTERN AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: ANNUALLY, 75 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS GAIN CAREER-RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN ANIMAL CARE, SCIENCE EDUCATION, IT, DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNICATIONS, AND EVENT MANAGEMENT. ECHO'S OPEN DOOR PROGRAM: A YEARLY COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM PARTNERING WITH 60+ SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO PROVIDE 30,000+ FREE OR SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ADMISSION RECIPIENTS, ECHO STRIVES TO MAKE THE SCIENCE CENTER ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL. CREATED TO BREAK DOWN FINANCIAL, GEOGRAPHIC, AND CULTURAL BARRIERS, ECHO FINDS AFFORDABLE AND EQUITABLE WAYS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO ACCESS OUR SERVICES AND RESOURCES. SENSORY-FRIENDLY SUNDAY EVENT SERIES: ECHO UNDERSTANDS THAT MANY OF OUR EXHIBITS AND PUBLIC SPACES CAN BE OVERWHELMING TO THOSE WITH SENSORY PROCESSING DIFFERENCES, ESPECIALLY WHEN CROWDED. UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE BARRIERS THAT FAMILIES WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER FACE IN PUBLIC SPACES, ECHO HAS CREATED SENSORY-FRIENDLY EVENTS THAT OPEN EARLY FOR FAMILIES WITH SENSORY PROCESSING DIFFERENCES, AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO EXPLORE IN A MORE CALM AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT. A CRUCIAL PART OF ACHIEVING THIS GOAL IS OFFERING FREE ADMISSION AND ONGOING TRAINING FOR OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. MASKS ON SUNDAY EVENT SERIES: ECHO IS SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY'S IMMUNOCOMPROMISED MEMBERS. QUARTERLY, ECHO OPENS FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING TO FIND A SAFE, FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT WITH THEIR PARENTS, SIBLINGS, AND OTHER CHILDREN. THIS IS A FREE AND EXCLUSIVE EVENT, DEVELOPED TO SERVE FAMILIES WITH A FAMILY MEMBER WHOSE HEALTH HAS BEEN COMPROMISED DUE TO COVID, BY A MEDICAL CONDITION, SPECIALIZED SURGICAL PROCEDURES, OR MEDICAL TREATMENTS THAT OTHERWISE PREVENT THEM FROM PLAYING TOGETHER IN OUR FACILITY.
  Expenses $4,649,602 · revenue $1,256,098

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 March, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

03-0347288

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

1995

Accounting year ends

March

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Arts, culture and humanities (A59Z)

Assets (IRS master file)

$24,524,954

Income (IRS master file)

$7,294,588

Filing history

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 03-0347288).

Questions about LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC

What is the EIN of LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC?

The employer identification number (EIN) of LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC is 03-0347288.

Is LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1995.

Are donations to LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC 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 LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC due?

The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending March 31, 2027) is due August 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended March 2026.

Who is the principal officer of LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC?

The 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026 names EDWARD LAWSON.

Who are the officers and directors of LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC?

The 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026 lists 17 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $207,012 (EDWARD LAWSON, EXECUTIVE DI).

How much revenue does LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC have?

On its 990 for the year ended March 31, 2026 it reported revenue of $5,329,740, expenses of $5,522,334 and total assets of $24,524,954 at year end.

Other nonprofits in BURLINGTON

• FLYNN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS LTD
  EIN 03-0277052 · last filed 990 for 2025
• VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC
  EIN 03-0222134 · last filed 990 for 2025
• BURLINGTON CITY ARTS FOUNDATION INC
  EIN 03-0354963 · last filed 990 for 2025
• CHITTENDEN COMMUNITY TELEVISION
  EIN 22-2582888 · last filed 990 for 2025
• ONE ARTS INC
  EIN 86-3243278 · last filed 990 for 2025
• THE MEDIA FACTORY
  EIN 46-0469007 · last filed 990 for 2024
• MOONBOX PRODUCTIONS INC
  EIN 45-3114466 · last filed 990 for 2025
• VERMONT FOLKLIFE CENTER
  EIN 22-2550951 · last filed 990 for 2025

All nonprofits in BURLINGTON · Vermont · Arts, culture and humanities