Nonprofit · EIN 39-1805090
GATHERING WATERS INC
Tax-exempt · MADISON, WI 53703
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,775,856 | $1,390,406 | $385,450 | $2,114,539 | $204,006 | $1,910,533 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $1,292,893 | $1,242,554 | $50,339 | $1,744,136 | $233,941 | $1,510,195 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $1,199,090 | $1,114,499 | $84,591 | $1,713,420 | $260,341 | $1,453,079 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,697,918
- Program service revenue
- $18,874
- Investment income
- $59,064
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $13,304
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $134,976
- Other salaries and wages
- $661,953
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $967,014
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $13,000
- Occupancy
- $53,012
- Travel
- $17,200
- Program services (functional)
- $979,843
- Management and general (functional)
- $141,927
- Fundraising (functional)
- $268,636
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,744,136
- Total assets, end of year
- $2,114,539
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $204,006
- Net assets, end of year
- $1,910,533
- Publicly traded securities
- $830,669
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $1,426,783
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $483,750
- Gross receipts
- $1,775,856
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 30
- Year formed
- 1994
- State of legal domicile
- WI
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, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL CARLSON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $110,668 | $24,308 |
| CAROL ABRAHAMZON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BECKY STEINHOFF | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFF OTTUM | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROL FISHER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN THUSIUS | DIRECTOR (THRU JULY) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VANESSA WISHART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE VRABEC | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARJIE TOMTER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE VAN HELDEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIERAN COE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIM PEMBLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK HERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL CARLSON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $102,436 | $23,933 |
| MICHAEL KOUTNIK | DIRECTOR (THRU JULY) Trustee or director | 1 | $15,094 | $0 |
| CAROL ABRAHAMZON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BECKY STEINHOFF | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFF OTTUM | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROL FISHER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE VRABEC | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN THUSIUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VANESSA WISHART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT REETZ | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARJIE TOMTER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE VAN HELDEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIERAN COE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIM PEMBLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 13 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL CARLSON | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $98,108 | $23,268 |
| MIKE KOUTNIK | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $16,650 | $0 |
| MATT REETZ | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROL ABRAHAMZON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CAROL FISHER | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE VRABEC | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BECKY STEINHOFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KEVIN THUSIUS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VANESSA WISHART | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFF OTTUM | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARJIE TOMTER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NICOLE VAN HEIDEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIERAN COE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 211 S PATERSON ST STE 270, MADISON, WI 53703-4538
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- MICHAEL CARLSON, 211 SOUTH PATERSON STREET 270, MADISON, WI 53703
- Signed the 990
- MICHAEL CARLSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (608) 251-9131
- Website
- GATHERINGWATERS.ORG
- Return prepared by
- WEGNER CPAS LLP
Mission
GATHERING WATERS (WISCONSIN'S ALLIANCE FOR LAND TRUSTS) STRENGTHENS LAND TRUSTS TO PROTECT WISCONSIN'S SPECIAL PLACES AND GROW HEALTHY, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES. THE STRONGER THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN GATHERING WATERS' STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS, LAND TRUST LEADERS, AND THE BROADER CONSERVATION COMMUNITY, THE MORE SUCCESSFUL WE ARE IN PROTECTING THE LANDS THAT PROVIDE SO MUCH VALUE TO ALL OF US.
Program accomplishments
- EDUCATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH: EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC, PROFESSIONALS, AND PRIVATE LANDOWNERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND CONSERVATION AND THE VOLUNTARY TOOLS AVAILABLE TO PERMANENTLY SET ASIDE PRIVATE LANDS FOR CONSERVATION. GATHERING WATERS MAINTAINS AN INTERACTIVE WEBSITE AND PUBLISHES PAPER AND ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. DURING 2025, GATHERING WATERS HELD A STATEWIDE CONFERENCE FOR LAND TRUSTS AND OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS WITH 130 PARTICIPANTS IN ATTENDANCE; HELD "LAND TRUST DAYS", TO PROMOTE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEARLY 2,000 PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED BY WISCONSIN'S LAND TRUSTS ON LAND THAT THEY HAVE PROTECTED; AND HELD VARIOUS AWARD EVENTS HONORING SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY LEADERS IN LAND CONSERVATION.Expenses $391,249 · revenue $18,874
- POLICY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS: WORK WITH DECISION MAKERS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL POLICIES THAT SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THE WORK OF LAND TRUSTS AND THE CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE LAND. SPECIFICALLY, GATHERING WATERS ADVOCATES FOR CONTINUATION OF FUNDING FOR THE KNOWLES NELSON STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM, A PROGRAM OF PUBLIC FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE PRESERVATION OF LAND IN WISCONSIN. IN 2025, GATHERING WATERS CONTINUED ITS EFFORTS TO CONNECT ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH THEIR LOCAL CONSTITUENTS AND WORKED WITH LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR TO IMPROVE HOW THE KNOWLES-NELSON STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM FUNCTIONS AND IS ADMINISTERED AND ADVOCATED AGAINST LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE WEAKENED PROTECTIONS FOR PROTECTED LAND IN WISCONSIN.Expenses $362,164
- TECHNICAL TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE: INCREASED THE CAPACITY OF MORE THAN FORTY WISCONSIN LAND TRUSTS AND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PEER LEARNING, AND WORKSHOPS. GATHERING WATERS WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE, A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LAND TRUSTS, TO OFFER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO WISCONSIN LAND TRUSTS. DURING 2025, GATHERING WATERS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES DIRECTLY TO WISCONSIN LAND TRUSTS THROUGH THE LAND CONSERVATION LAW PROGRAM.Expenses $197,466
- PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION IN WISCONSIN, THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH LAND TRUSTS AND OTHER CONSERVATION LEADERS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING ACTIVITIES.Expenses $28,964
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 year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 39-1805090
- 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
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C300)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $2,114,539
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,775,856
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $1,775,856 | $1,390,406 | $2,114,539 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $1,292,893 | $1,242,554 | $1,744,136 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $1,199,090 | $1,114,499 | $1,713,420 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $1,184,314 | $929,519 | $1,617,127 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | 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 39-1805090).
Questions about GATHERING WATERS INC
- What is the EIN of GATHERING WATERS INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of GATHERING WATERS INC is 39-1805090.
- Is GATHERING WATERS INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1995.
- Are donations to GATHERING WATERS INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does GATHERING WATERS 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 GATHERING WATERS INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did GATHERING WATERS INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of GATHERING WATERS INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names MICHAEL CARLSON.
- Who are the officers and directors of GATHERING WATERS INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 13 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $110,668 (MICHAEL CARLSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does GATHERING WATERS INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,775,856, expenses of $1,390,406 and total assets of $2,114,539 at year end.
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