MSRW

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 December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

PO BOX 465, PETOSKEY, MI 49770-0465

In care of

% STEVE WAGNER

Principal officer (990 for 2025)

Catherine T Freebairn, 7662 Paradise Trail, Carp Lake, MI 49718

Signed the 990

Catherine Freebairn, Treasurer

Phone

(231) 622-3426

Website

https://www.mackinacraptorwatch.org/

Mission

Scientific Research on the migration of birds in the Straits of Mackinac located between the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan. We also engage in educational and public information associated with this research.

Program accomplishments

• Owl Banding and Research. Owls are netted and banded during the spring and fall migration. Data on the owls is recorded and shared with appropriate scientific research groups. In 2025 475 owls were captured and tagged.Northern Saw Whet Owls are the primary species studied but other species are tagged when caught.
  Expenses $22,130 · grants $26,360
• Hawk Count by species during Spring and Fall migrations. During the Spring and Fall raptors of 20 different species were counted and categorized by day. During the spring and fall migration 75418 raptors were counted and categorized in Mackinaw City and 8070 on Mackinac Island All data was recorded and shared with other scientific organizations. In 2025 MSRW caught and banded 127 raptors representing 8 species The birds were safely released. Red-tailed Hawks that were fitted with transmitters over the last four years continue to be monitored.
  Expenses $31,721 · grants $20,936
• Water bird migration during 2025 migrants representing 52 different species were counted. The results were tabulated by day and recorded. Data was shared with appropriate scientific research organizations.
  Expenses $8,582 · grants $6,500
• MSRW provides public information and education through a Raptor Naturalist program at the count sites. The naturalist provides information to the public, verbal and in print, about the birds that are seen overhead and explains the count techniques. In addition, the organization administrator and contractual researchers are available to give talks about the organization's research activities and goals.
  Expenses $10,399
• In 2024, MSRW began a new project to increase the gathering of information on bird migration through the Straits of Mackinac. A project of Birds Canada, the Motus network is "a collaborative global research network that uses automated radio telemetry to track small flying organisms." MSRW is constructing an array of six towers in the Straits and surrounding areas to capture migration information and share it with the public. A grant was awarded to support construction work in 2024 and 2025 and maintain the data collection. Seven towers were completed, including a pass-through project with the Greenwood Foundation in Wolverine, Michigan. These towers join 40 in Michigan and 200 in 34 countries gathering migration information from nanotags on a wide variety of migrants.
  Expenses $38,532 · grants $16,100
• A pilot project in the fall of 2025 was begun to band songbirds. there were 127 birds from 32 species that were banded representing 55.75 volunteer hours of netting and banding.0
• In 2025 Monarch Butterflies were tagged in the fall as they begin their migration to Mexico. The microtags are registered with the national Monarch tracking organization so that there might be tracking of individual butterflies who are found in Mexico. Over 100 butterflies were tagged by volunteers.
  Expenses $20

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.

IRS record

EIN

83-1936124

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

2019

Accounting year ends

December

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Animal-related (D30)

Assets (IRS master file)

$474,095

Income (IRS master file)

$241,865

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 83-1936124).

Questions about MSRW

What is the EIN of MSRW?

The employer identification number (EIN) of MSRW is 83-1936124.

Is MSRW tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2019.

Are donations to MSRW tax-deductible?

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

Which annual return does MSRW 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 MSRW 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 MSRW 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 MSRW?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Catherine T Freebairn.

Who are the officers and directors of MSRW?

The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 13 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $38,800 (Scott Davis, Executive Director).

How much revenue does MSRW have?

On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $241,865, expenses of $142,040 and total assets of $474,095 at year end.

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