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Nonprofit · EIN 23-7348118

BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY

Tax-exempt · DETROIT, MI 48207

Financials

$3M$2.3M2023$2.2M$1.9M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2024990$2,233,067$1,913,946$319,121$4,406,525$219,779$4,186,746
December 31, 2023990$2,998,151$2,301,330$696,821$4,307,955$440,330$3,867,625
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$1,825,903
of which government grants
$51,000
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$106,521
Other revenue
$300,643

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Other salaries and wages
$1,116,872
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$1,116,872
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Program services (functional)
$1,163,933
Management and general (functional)
$493,830
Fundraising (functional)
$256,183

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$4,307,955
Total assets, end of year
$4,406,525
Total liabilities, end of year
$219,779
Net assets, end of year
$4,186,746
Land, buildings and equipment
$140,992
Net assets without donor restrictions
$1,707,111
Net assets with donor restrictions
$2,479,635
Gross receipts
$2,233,067
Employees
16
Volunteers
1,345
Year formed
1973
State of legal domicile
MI

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 December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
SUMMER RITNERCOO
Highest-paid employee
40$141,039$5,658
KATY LABARRIEC D O
Highest-paid employee
40$119,883$279
MEAGAN ELLIOTTPRESIDENT &
Officer
40$98,671$113
DR SHAUNA RYDER DIGGSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ALLAN NACHMANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
EVETTE GRIFFIEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PETER GHAFARIDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
GARY MAROWSKEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
HAROLD GARLING JRDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
KATHERINE KERWINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOYA HARRISDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MEAGAN DUNNDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ROBIN HELLERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
SOLOMON W KINLOCHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
TERRI MIALDIRECTOR-END
Trustee or director
2$0$0
17 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
COLLEEN ROBARDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0
JASON VELEZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0
DAVID BELL JRDIRECTOR-END
Trustee or director
2$0
DIANE DOSSINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0
NICHOLAI SCHULTZDIRECTOR-END
Trustee or director
2$0
RON OLSONDIRECTOR -EX
Trustee or director
2$0
GABRIEL VALLEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0
NANCY VELLACHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
MAUD LYONVICE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
AUDREY HARVEYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
SEAN MORANSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0
ANDREA DICKSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0
JEHAN CRUMP-GIBSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0
TODD SACHSEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0
JANA BROWNELLDIRECTOR-BEG
Trustee or director
2$0
GEORGE ROBERTSDIRECTOR-BEG
Trustee or director
2$0
RYAN SULLIVANDIRECTOR-BEG
Trustee or director
2$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 32 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
MICHELE HODGESPRESIDENT EN
Officer
40$148,822$25,988
KATY LABARRIEC D O
Highest-paid employee
40$140,669$6,364
SUMMER RITNERCOO
Highest-paid employee
40$140,669$6,228
DR SHAUNA RYDER DIGGSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
DAWN BILOBRANDIRECTOR END
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ALLAN NACHMANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JON COTTONDIRECTOR END
Trustee or director
2$0$0
EVETTE GRIFFIEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PETER GHAFARIDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
GARY MAROWSKEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
HAROLD GARLING JRDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
KATHERINE KERWINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
SHANI PENNDIRECTOR DEC
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOYA HARRISDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MEAGAN DUNNDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ROBIN HELLERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
SOLOMON W KINLOCHDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
TERRI MIALDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
COLLEEN ROBARDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JASON VELEZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
DAVID BELL JRDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
DIANE DOSSINDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
NICHOLAI SCHULTZDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
RON OLSONDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
GABRIEL VALLEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0$0
NANCY VELLACHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
MAUD LYONINTERIM PRES
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
AUDREY HARVEYTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
SEAN MORANSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
2$0$0
ANDREA DICKSONDIRECTOR STA
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JEHAN CRUMP-GIBSONDIRECTOR STA
Trustee or director
2$0$0
TODD SACHSEDIRECTOR STA
Trustee or director
2$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
99 PLEASURE DR, DETROIT, MI 48207-4373
In care of
% MEAGAN ELLIOT
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
MEAGAN ELLIOTT, 300 RIVERPLACE DRIVE SUITE 2800, DETROIT, MI 48207
Signed the 990
MEAGAN ELLIOTT, PRESIDENT & CEO
Phone
(313) 331-7760
Return prepared by
ALAN C YOUNG & ASSOCIATES PC

Mission

FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION THE MISSION OF THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY (THE ORGANIZATION) IS TO PROTECT, PRESERVE, RESTORE, AND ENHANCE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND UNIQUE CHARACTER OF BELLE ISLE AS A PUBLIC PARK FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL - NOW AND FOREVER. THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO BRING PRIVATE SUPPORT TO BELLE ISLE, AND WORKS CLOSELY WITH ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, MAKING FOR A UNIQUE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ON BEHALF OF THE PARK. WORKING WITH A LEGION OF VOLUNTEERS AND GENEROUS DONORS, THE ORGANIZATION HAS SUCCESSFULLY RENOVATED THE HISTORIC HORSE STABLES ROOF, UPGRADED AMENITIES AT SUNSET POINT, REOPENED THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM, SUPPORTED SPECIAL PROJECTS AND IMPROVEMENTS AT THE CONSERVATORY, RESTORED MONUMENTS, RAISED MATCHING DOLLARS FOR VARIOUS GRANTS AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ACROSS THE PARK, ORGANIZED THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS TO TACKLE INVASIVE SPECIES AT THAT PARK AND TO KEEP THE PARK AND ITS WATERWAYS FREE OF LITTER, PROVIDED PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNIT

990 for the year ended December 31, 2024

Program accomplishments

  • BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY: THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY OPENED IN 1904 AND REMAINS ONE OF DETROIT'S CULTURAL JEWELS. THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM DELIGHTED VISITORS FOR OVER A CENTURY BEFORE THE CITY CLOSED IT IN 2005 DUE TO BUDGET REDUCTIONS. IN 2012, THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY NEGOTIATED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CITY OF DETROIT TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR OPENING THE AQUARIUM. THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUES TO OPERATE UNDER THAT AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN NOW MANAGING THE PARK INSTEAD OF THE CITY. SINCE THE CONSERVANCY'S MANAGEMENT BEGAN IN 2012 OVER 6 MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN INVESTED INTO THE FACILITY TO ENSURE IT'S SAFETY AND LONG-TERM VIABILITY. HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROJECTS SUCH AS THE RESTORATION OF THE FAMED CEILING TILES, REPAIRING THE COPPER ROOF OF THE THE BUILDING, REPAIRING AND RESTORING PLASTER ELEMENTS IN THE BUILDING, REOPENING THE ORIGINAL SKYLIGHTS IN THE BUILDING, AND FABRICATING THE ORIGINAL LIGHTING IN THE BUILDING HAVE ALL HELPED KEEP IMPORTANT ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS OF THE BUILDING ALIVE. ADDITIONALLY, THE AQUARIUM EXHIBITS HAVE BEEN RENOVATED WITH NEEDED REPAIRS SUCH AS GLASS, MODERN FILTRATION AND WATER SYSTEMS, MODERN PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, AND CONCRETE REPAIR THROUGHOUT. MANY OF THE BUILDINGS MECHANICAL SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS TO INCREASING THE BUILDINGS GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAVE OR REUSE WATER. CURRENTLY A MAJOR HVAC SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION IS UNDERWAY FOR THE AQUARIUM. AQUARIUM WELCOMES AROUND 180,000 VISITORS EACH YEAR, ALL FREE OF CHARGE. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THE CONSERVANCY HAS CURATED AN EXCEPTIONAL VISITOR ENGAGEMENT AND INTERPRETATION EXPERIENCE FOR OUR VISITORS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND AND BECOME EXCITED ABOUT THE CONSERVATION OF AQUATIC LIFE AND HABITATS. THE CONSERVANCY ALSO PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THE ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY. THE STATE OF MICHIGAN MANAGES THE CONSERVATORY, BUT LEANS ON THE CONSERVANCY VOLUNTEERS TO FACILITATE FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS, LEAD TOURS,SUPPORT SCHEDULING, TRAIN DOCENTS AND INTERPRETERS, FACILITATE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, SUPPLEMENT THE PLANT COLLECTIONS WITH ADDITIONAL FLOWERS AND PLANTS, AND HELP IN THE FUND RAISING OF MAJOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS,MOST NOTABLY THE RESTORATION OF THE CONSERVATORY'S MAIN DOME.
    Expenses $819,251
  • HISTORIC PRESERVATION: PRESERVING THE BUILDINGS, FOUNTAINS, STATUES, HISTORIC LANDSCAPE AND OTHER HISTORIC AMENITIES OF BELLE ISLE PARK; INCLUDES PLANNING, RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY RAISES PRIVATE SUPPORT FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACTIVITIES, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY OF DETROIT AND THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. IN 2012, THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY RAISED FUNDS FOR A COMPLETE RESTORATION OF THE ROOF OF THE HORSE STABLES, A LARGE COMPLEX DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT GEORGE MASON IN THE 1920'S. THE CLAY TILE ROOF WAS COMPLETELY REPAIRED AND WHERE NECESSARY, REBUILT, ENSURING THE PRESERVATION OF THE BUILDING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN A PROMINENT AREA OF THE PARK. ANOTHER MAJOR PROJECT HAS BEEN RAISING FUNDS TO REPLACE THE PEWABIC TILES IN THE JAMES SCOTT MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN. THE CONSERVANCY HAS ALSO SUPPORTED THE CITY'S EFFORT TO RENEW THE NATIONAL REGISTER FOR HISTORIC PLACES DESIGNATION FOR BELLE ISLE, THROUGH DOCUMENTATION, RESEARCH AND PUBLIC MEETINGS. THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY HAS ACTED AS A FIDUCIARY FOR THE CITY OF DETROIT FOR STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE GRANTS TO RESTORE THE NANCY BROWN PEACE CARILLON TOWER WHICH IS IN DISREPAIR, AND TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF RECONNECTING THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY, AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED BY ALBERT KAHN IN THE EARLY 1900S. CONSERVANCY VOLUNTEERS CONSTANTLY MONITOR THE CONDITION OF BELLE ISLE STRUCTURES, STREETLIGHTS, FOOTPATH BRIDGES OVER THE CANALS AND OTHER STRUCTURES AND REPORT PROBLEMS TO BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY, THE CITY OF DETROIT AND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
    Expenses $57,188
  • THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY'S EDUCATION AND VISITOR ENGAGEMENT TEAM INSPIRES A LIFETIME OF CURIOSITY, PASSION, AND STEWARDSHIP FOR AQUATIC AND PLANT ECOSYSTEMS IN PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE ON-SITE FIELD TRIPS FOR THIRD THROUGH FIFTH GRADERS AT THE BELLE ISLE AQUARIUM AND ANNA SCRIPPS WHITCOMB CONSERVATORY AND PRIVATE TOURS FOR ADULTS AND SENIORS.
    Expenses $150,641
  • ALL OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: ARE THOSE SERVICES THAT IMPROVE BELLE ISLE PARK FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF ALL, BUT ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY COVERED UNDER HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AQUARIUM AND CONSERVATORY, OR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ( I.E. REGULAR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE, CONSULTING SERVICES, ETC.). VOLUNTEER SERVICES: THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY RECRUITS, MANAGES, AND TRAINS VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE SERVING AT BELLE ISLE PARK. THESE VOLUNTEERS WORK IN MYRIAD CAPACITIES SUCH AS FACILITY GREETERS AT THE AQUARIUM AND CONSERVATORY, STEWARDSHIP VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP KEEP THE PARK CLEAN AND SAFE, EDUCATIONAL VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP US IMPLEMENT OUR EDUCATIONAL FIELDTRIPS, EVENT VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP TO PLAN AND FACILITATE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING EVENTS, COMMUNITY VOULNTEERS, STEWARDS, AND MORE. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS AT THE HEART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK AND GREATLY SUPPORTS THE WORK OF MDNR AND THE CITY OF DETROIT.IT IS ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND THE PRIORITIES OF RESIDENTS WHO OWN THIS BELOVED PUBLIC SPACE AND THE BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY PRIDES ITSELF ON NOT ONLY STRONG ENGAGEMENT DURING PLANNING PROCESSES, BUT A CONSISTENTLY OPEN "FRONT DOOR" TO HEAR FROM RESIDENTS ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES ON A DAILY BASIS. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP: BELLE ISLE'S 982 ACRES INCLUDE A LARGE WETLAND FOREST, A SYSTEM OF CANALS AND INTERIOR LAKES IN THIS PARK THAT IS ITSELF AN ISLAND, AND TREES AND OTHER PLANTINGS THROUGHOUT THE HEAVILY USED PICNIC AND PLAYGROUND AREAS. THROUGH THE CONSERVANCY'S KEEP BELLE ISLE BEAUTIFUL PROGRAM WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MOBILIZE HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS EACH YEAR TO HELP KEEP THE ISLAND, IT'S WATERWAYS, AND THE DETROIT RIVER FREE OF HARMFUL RUBBISH AND MICROPLASTICS. IN 2019, WITH HELP FROM THE EPA, THE CONSERVANCY GREW THIS PROGRAM TO FORM THE BI-NATIONAL DETROIT RIVER COALITION, A GROUP OF ENTITIES IN CANADA AND DETROIT HELPING TO PRESERVE OUR WATERWAYS. OVER 50,000 DAFFODILS HAVE BEEN PLANTED THROUGHOUT THE PARK THROUGH A VOLUNTEER EFFORT AND WITH SUPPORT FROM THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. STUDENTS THAT ATTEND OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING ALSO HELP IN MONITORING THE VERNAL PONDS ON THE ISLAND AND ASSIST IN WATER COLLECTION AND TESTING IN THE CANALS OF THE ISLAND. WE ALSO COORDINATE WITH THE MDNR ON SUPPORTING THE STRONGEST ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES FOR DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND SHORELINE WORK FOR ANY CAPTIAL INITIATIVE UNDERWAY.
    Expenses $136,853

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 yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026Not on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
23-7348118
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
1974
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$4,406,525
Income (IRS master file)
$2,233,067

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2024$2,233,067$1,913,946$4,406,525XML
990December 2023$2,998,151$2,301,330$4,307,955XML
990December 2022$4,661,988$4,561,359$3,474,122IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990December 2018–––IRS
990December 2017–––IRS
990December 2016–––IRS

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 23-7348118).

Questions about BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY

What is the EIN of BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY?
The employer identification number (EIN) of BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY is 23-7348118.
Is BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1974.
Are donations to BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY 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 BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
Who is the principal officer of BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names MEAGAN ELLIOTT.
Who are the officers and directors of BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 32 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $141,039 (SUMMER RITNER, COO).
How much revenue does BELLE ISLE CONSERVANCY have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $2,233,067, expenses of $1,913,946 and total assets of $4,406,525 at year end.

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