Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
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Total |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 3,468,080 | 2,808,003 | 3,354,101 | 4,007,914 | 2,126,423 | 15,764,521 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf .... | ||||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 3,468,080 | 2,808,003 | 3,354,101 | 4,007,914 | 2,126,423 | 15,764,521 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) .. | 506,511 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 15,258,010 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 3,468,080 | 2,808,003 | 3,354,101 | 4,007,914 | 2,126,423 | 15,764,521 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 366,953 | 131,438 | 367,169 | 586,700 | 707,650 | 2,159,910 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | ||||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 17,924,431 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 ..... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5 | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included on line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2023 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2023 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2023: | ||||
| a From 2018....... | ||||
| b From 2019....... | ||||
| c From 2020....... | ||||
| d From 2021....... | ||||
| e From 2022....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2018 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2023 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2023, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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6
Remaining underdistributions for 2023. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2024. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| FORM 990, PAGE 1, ITEM C | ECHO, LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A | THE PUBLIC FACE OF THE LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN INC. (DBA ECHO, LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN OR ECHO) IS AN INNOVATIVE SCIENCE AND NATURE MUSEUM LOCATED ON THE BURLINGTON WATERFRONT. OPEN DAILY, ECHO ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO VIEW THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AS PART OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND TO EXPLORE, LEARN ABOUT, AND CONSIDER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STEWARDSHIP. SINCE 1995, WE HAVE TAUGHT MORE THAN 3 MILLION VISITORS ABOUT THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN OUR CULTURE AND LIVES. ECHO LEVERAGES ITS UNIQUE SETTING TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE FAMILIES IN THE JOY OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, WONDER OF NATURE, AND CARE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN. VISITORS EXPLORE OVER 100 INTERACTIVE FAMILY EXPERIENCES, 70 LIVE SPECIES, SEASONAL CHANGING EXHIBITS, AND OUR NORTHFIELD SAVINGS BANK IMMERSIVE 3D THEATER. IN OUR HIGHLY INTERACTIVE SCIENCE EXHIBITS, AWESOME FORCES AND ENGINEER IT, VISITORS OF ALL AGES TACKLE DAILY ENGINEERING CHALLENGES AT OUR TINKERING BENCH AND TEST ZONES AS WELL AS DELIGHT IN DISCOVERING THE AMAZING PROCESSES THAT HAVE SHAPED THE LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN AND OUR EARTH. TO LEARN MORE VISIT: HTTPS://WWW.ECHOVERMONT.ORG/ THE NONPROFIT IS GOVERNED BY AN 18-MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WHO 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 FALL IN THE AREAS OF 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 SIT ON ONE OF FOUR COMMITTEES THAT MEET MULTIPLE TIMES ANNUALLY: 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. PUBLIC MUSEUM: 160,000 ANNUAL VISITORS INCLUDING 75,000 CHILDREN, 5,500 MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS, 15,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN. ECHO IS DEDICATED TO BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS SO THAT ALL VISITORS CAN EXPERIENCE THE MUSEUM. ANIMAL CARE PROGRAM: PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND ECOLOGY BY CONNECTING THE PUBLIC TO MORE THAN 70 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, AND CAREGIVER LEARNING, AS WELL AS 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 AROUND VERMONT PARTICIPATE IN AN ECHO-LED, YEAR-LONG COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE WHILE WORKING TO INTEGRATE ENGINEERING DESIGN INTO THEIR CLASSROOM CURRICULUMS. 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, GO ON MONTHLY CAREER EXPLORATION FIELD TRIPS, AND WORK IN THE ENGINEER IT PROGRAM SPACE FOUR 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 MORE THAN 70 SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO PROVIDE 33,000+ FREE OR SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED ADMISSION RECIPIENTS AND 3,500 COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIPS - STRIVES TO MAKE THE SCIENCE CENTER ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL. CREATED TO BREAK DOWN FINANCIAL, GEOGRAPHIC, AND CULTURAL BARRIERS SPECIFICALLY, ECHO FINDS AFFORDABLE AND EQUITABLE WAYS TO ALLOW ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO HAVE ACCESS TO 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 SUNDAYS EVENT SERIES: ECHO IS SUPPORTING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED. MONTHLY, 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. A CRUCIAL PART OF ACHIEVING THIS GOAL IS OFFERING FREE ADMISSION AND ONGOING TRAINING FOR OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 3 | THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION WAS HELD BY CHARLIE SMITH OF CHARLES P. SMITH MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC CONSULTING. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B | THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN PERFORMS A DETAILED REVIEW OF A DRAFT OF THE 990 WITH THE PREPARER, AND THEN MAKES A RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL BOARD TO ACCEPT THE DRAFT AND MOVE FORWARD WITH FILING. IN ADDITION, THE 990 IS MADE AVAILABLE FOR ALL BOARD MEMBERS TO REVIEW PRIOR TO FILING. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C | THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS GIVEN TO EACH NEW RESPONSIBLE PERSON AND IS REQUIRED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IN WRITING THAT HE OR SHE HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THIS POLICY. EACH RESPONSIBLE PERSON MUST ANNUALLY COMPLETE AN INFORMATION FORM REGARDING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THE POLICY SHALL BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY AND ANY CHANGES TO THE POLICY MUST BE COMMUNICATED TO ALL RESPONSIBLE PERSONS. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A | THE COMPENSATION OF ECHO'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS DEFINED IN A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LEAHY CENTER FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN, INC. AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE COMPENSATION IS NEGOTIATED AND REFLECTS WHAT THE BOARD PERCEIVES IS THE NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE COMPENSATION TO OBTAIN AND RETAIN A QUALIFIED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE BURLINGTON MARKET. ANY BONUS COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS GOAL BASED. ANNUAL GOALS ARE MUTUALLY ESTABLISHED AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SUCCESS IN MEETING THESE ANNUAL GOALS IS ASSESSED BY THE BOARD. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REVIEWS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S PERFORMANCE EACH FISCAL YEAR AND DETERMINES WHETHER BONUS COMPENSATION IS APPROPRIATE. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B | DIRECTORS ARE BROUGHT IN AT AROUND 60,000 WITH A TYPICAL 3% CPI ANUALLY DEPENDING ON CASH FLOW. IF THERE ARE FINANCIAL CONTRAINTS DURING THE YEAR, IN LIEU OF PERMANENT SALARY ADJUSTMENTS, SMALLER BONUSES MAY BE PAID. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 | COPIES ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. |
| FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 | INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES -131,023 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEES 131,023 |
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