Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center
Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center operates with consistent revenue but faces occasional deficits and declining assets.
EIN: 200378645 · Crystal Falls, MI · NTEE: N20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $409K |
| Total Expenses | $436K |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $300,000. |
| Net Assets | $127K |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center
Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center (EIN: 200378645) is a nonprofit organization based in Crystal Falls, MI, classified under NTEE code N20. The organization reported total revenue of $409K and total assets of $180K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 22 years, with 8 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2018). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 0.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2018)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $409K |
| Total Expenses | $436K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-26,192 |
| Total Assets | $180K |
| Total Liabilities | $52K |
| Net Assets | $127K |
| Operating Margin | -6.4% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 29.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 5.0 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2018, Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center reported a deficit of $26K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 5.0 months of operating reserves (adequate), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 29.2% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 8 years of filings (2011–2018), Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | +5.8% | +13.1% | -11.1% |
| 2017 | +6.8% | +3.3% | -2.9% |
| 2016 | +2.4% | +4.6% | +1.4% |
| 2015 | +9.0% | +1.3% | -7.5% |
| 2014 | -18.2% | -9.4% | -15.9% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1500 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2004 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2018)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $26K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 29.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation has consistently been reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that the organization's leadership operates without paid compensation, which is significant for an organization with annual revenues exceeding $300,000.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center's IRS 990 filings:
- Recurring operational deficits in multiple years (e.g., 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2011)
- Declining asset base over the past eight years, from $284,435 in 2011 to $179,956 in 2018
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center:
- Consistent IRS 990 filing history (8 filings) demonstrating transparency
- Zero reported officer compensation across all filings, indicating a volunteer-led executive structure
- Stable revenue generation over the past eight years, consistently above $300,000
Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center
Is Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center (EIN: 200378645) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center spend its money?
Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center tax-deductible?
Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 200378645). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center CEO make?
Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center's highest-compensated officer earns $300,000. annually. The organization reported $409K in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center's spending goes to programs?
Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center is above average for NTEE category N20 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center located?
Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center is headquartered in Crystal Falls, Michigan and files with the IRS under EIN 200378645. It is classified under NTEE code N20.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center have?
Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center has 8 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $409K in total revenue.
Is Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center financially sustainable given its recurring deficits?
The organization has experienced several years where expenses exceeded revenue, such as in 2018 ($435,532 expenses vs. $409,340 revenue) and 2016 ($372,925 expenses vs. $362,536 revenue). While not a continuous trend, these deficits, coupled with declining assets from $284,435 in 2011 to $179,956 in 2018, suggest a need for careful financial planning to ensure long-term sustainability.
How does the lack of officer compensation impact the organization?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings indicates that the organization's top leadership is unpaid. This can be a strength, potentially allowing more funds to be directed towards programs, but it could also raise questions about the long-term capacity and professionalization of leadership for an organization of this size.
What is the trend in the organization's assets?
The organization's assets have shown a declining trend over the past eight years, decreasing from $284,435 in 2011 to $179,956 in 2018. This reduction in assets, while liabilities have remained relatively stable, could impact the organization's financial flexibility and reserves.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center showing financial trends over 8 years of public records:
Over 8 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2018), Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center's revenue has grown by 6.5%, moving from $384K to $409K. Total assets decreased by 36.7% over the same period, from $284K to $180K. Total functional expenses rose by 7.1%, from $407K to $436K. In its most recent filing year (2018), Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center reported a deficit of $26K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $52K in liabilities against $180K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 29.2%), resulting in net assets of $127K.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $409K | $436K | $180K | $52K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $387K | $385K | $202K | $49K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $363K | $373K | $209K | $57K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $354K | $356K | $206K | $43K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $325K | $352K | $222K | $58K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $397K | $388K | $264K | $73K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $370K | $397K | $259K | $72K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $384K | $407K | $284K | $70K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2018: Revenue of $409K, expenses of $436K, and assets of $180K (revenue +5.8% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $387K, expenses of $385K, and assets of $202K (revenue +6.8% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $363K, expenses of $373K, and assets of $209K (revenue +2.4% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $354K, expenses of $356K, and assets of $206K (revenue +9.0% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $325K, expenses of $352K, and assets of $222K (revenue -18.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $397K, expenses of $388K, and assets of $264K (revenue +7.3% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $370K, expenses of $397K, and assets of $259K (revenue -3.9% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $384K, expenses of $407K, and assets of $284K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Lake Ellen Bible Camp & Retreat Center is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.