2025-05-14T11:27:46-05:00 2024-06-30 411397419 Abdo LLP 5201 Eden Ave Ste 250 Edina MN 55436 990 2023-07-01 237007115 Freshwater Society FRES 6513135810 2550 University Ave W 212N St Paul MN 55114 Michelle Stockness Executive Director 6513135810 2025-05-13 1 1 Steven D Anseth CPA P00552219 9528359090 2025-05-07 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Michelle Stockness 2550 University Ave W 212N St Paul MN 55114 1908506 0 X www.freshwater.org X 1968 MN Educating and inspiring people to value, conserve, and protect freshwater resources. 15 15 18 604 0 0 2153227 814657 43540 36300 120184 216999 124336 111893 2441287 1179849 244978 749633 0 0 806828 941322 0 0 117122 528967 442936 1580773 2133891 860514 -954042 6984281 6402127 253219 192252 6731062 6209875 X Inspiring and empowering people to value and preserve our freshwater resources. 1 0 1668455 749633 148193 Education and Engagement:We led impactful community outreach initiatives, including the Minnesota Department of Health's State Drinking Water Action Plan, the MN Water Stewards program, the Lake of the Isles Trash Boom project, our nature-based education work with teachers, and the creation of Greater Lakes Promise to partner on land conservation for water quality. The Weather guide continued to inspire environmental stewardship, with efforts to streamline production and connect with thousands of people. Through events, presentations, and partnerships, we elevated water stewardship awareness and workforce pathways, culminating in national recognition and local awards. Our efforts included facilitating strategic plans, hosting anniversary celebrations, and representing Minnesota at key national water summits.Policy:We strengthened our advocacy efforts by creating a cross-functional policy team to address water issues at local, state, and federal levels. Highlights include testifying at the Minnesota Legislature, engaging 19 state and eight federal legislative leaders, and participating in Farm Bill reviews and national water priorities discussions. Our team championed critical issues like nitrate contamination, access to safe drinking water, and infrastructure funding, funding for local units of government, ensuring a strong voice for water quality and accessibility.Research:We advanced water research by launching innovative projects on sustainable water supply, climate smart strategies, and regenerative agriculture. Collaborative efforts with tribal communities, universities, and national organizations supported initiatives like the St. Anthony Falls Cutoff Wall investigation, managed aquifer recharge studies, our Groundwater Governance project, and circular water economy evaluations. Presentations at key forums and active pursuit of statewide water reuse planning solidified our role as leaders in water research and innovation. 1668455 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 0 1 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 15 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 MN X X The Organization 6513135810 2550 University Ave W 212N St Paul MN 55114 Josephine Marcotty Chair 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Dave Leuthe Vice Chair 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Wade Campbell Treasurer 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Renee Willette Secretary 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Ryan Godrey Outgoing Chair 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Risikat Adesaogun Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Ryan Hurt Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Tyler Johnson Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jeremy Lenz Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Ali Ling Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Corey Lohmiller Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jill Lucas Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Laura Pagano Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Doug Thomas Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Aaron Tinjum Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Don Davies Former Finance Director 20.00 X 85289 0 3526 Michelle Stockness Executive Director 40.00 X 77097 0 5405 Andrea Todd Finance Director 20.00 X 7823 0 0 Carrie Jennings Research and Policy Director 40.00 X 106408 0 11905 276617 0 20836 1 0 0 0 0 27828 100 786729 814657 Water Conservation Ed. 900099 36300 36300 36300 96781 96781 739352 619134 120218 120218 120218 221416 109523 111893 111893 1179849 148193 0 216999 544639 544639 204994 204994 292899 209323 58999 24577 538200 383323 109340 45537 20816 12985 6239 1592 30616 24392 4099 2125 58791 42003 11919 4869 1440 1440 20500 20500 52074 52074 95727 70092 17681 7954 3968 3320 637 11 38805 33941 3140 1724 7506 3425 3439 642 101927 56336 34490 11101 29994 28852 917 225 16673 11582 3268 1823 8331 4690 2756 885 18804 10587 6220 1997 Supplies and Minor Equi 16279 2770 7084 6425 Fees and miscellaneous 12994 7880 2580 2534 Memberships 9431 5521 1314 2596 Staff Training 8305 7800 505 178 178 2133891 1668455 348314 117122 5294 2197 221644 47333 1259793 1058167 274 7924 30160 31417 27392 16851 49587 40256 17662 9331 5246392 5104820 175670 124087 6984281 6402127 76121 69619 177098 122633 253219 192252 X 4986338 4771896 1744724 1437979 6731062 6209875 6984281 6402127 -954042 432855 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 709130 876223 794410 653227 814657 3847647 709130 876223 794410 653227 814657 3847647 1036464 2811183 795 549 508 96227 96781 194860 130000 130000 4172507 915786 0.67370 0.89890 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10, Explanation of Other Income: Tax Refunds - Lease Termination Fee - 2020 Amount: $ 130,000. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 25049 0 0 25049 0 14300 X 0 5400309 608579 737798 5271090 5083046 304428 417030 404195 5400309 5828718 -513842 231830 5083046 4777938 1050780 5828718 4632799 145139 4777938 0.96846 0.01108 0.02047 0 0 14739 9581 5158 34848 30675 4173 9331 Lease Liability 122633 122633 1670153 432855 432855 1237298 52074 -109523 -57449 1179849 2191340 109523 109523 2081817 52074 52074 2133891 Part III, Line 4: One painting in the collection, done by Les Kouba for the organization, is hanging in the organization's building. The other pieces of artwork were donated to the organization, had been on display, but currently in storage. Part V, Line 4: The Society's endowments consist of two funds: one fund established and restricted by a donor to provide support for student scholarship, educational programs for students, and the general support of the educational programs; and another fund established in the year ending June 30, 2018 consisting of unrestricted net assets designated for endowment by the Board of Directors to manage operational cashflow needs. As required by generally accepted accounting principles, net assets associated with endowment funds are classified and reported based on the existence or absence of donor-imposed restrictions. Part XI, Line 4b - Other Adjustments: Cost of Goods Sold -109,523. Part XII, Line 2d - Other Adjustments: Cost of Goods Sold 109,523. 1 Black Swamp Conservancy PO Box 332 Perrysburg OH 435520352 341746749 501(c)3 10000 0 Organizational support for subaward staff during grant project Landmark Conservancy Inc 509 East Main Street Menomonie WI 54751 391872550 501(c)3 20000 0 Organizational support for subaward staff during grant project Little Fork Conservancy PO Box 2847 Midland MI 48641 383353122 501(c)3 20000 0 Organizational support for subaward staff during grant project Minnesota Land Trust I 2356 University Avenue W - Suite 240 St Paul MN 55114 411713652 501(c)3 20000 0 Organizational support for subaward staff during grant project Saginaw Basin Land Trust 706 South Euclid Avenue Bay City MI 48706 813121257 501(c)3 20000 0 Organizational support for subaward staff during grant project Water 365 3749 South 15th Street Milwaukee WI 53221 395525616 23874 0 Technical support for grant project Carleton College One North College Street Northfield MN 55057 410694747 501(c)3 33317 0 Technical support for grant project Bolin-Zweig 7500 Olson Memorial Highway Suite 225 Golden Valley MN 55427 464365764 387448 0 Marketing support for grant project 6 2 Groundwater Governance and Joyce II Project 9 109500 Regenerative Agriculture Project 2 13168 Water Resource Center Project 1 8484 National Science Foundation Project 2 1315 State Drinking Water Plan 1 975 Contracted Projects 3 16743 Hamline LCCMR 3 38479 MN Water Stewards Project 8 16330 Part I, Line 2: Freshwater Society maintains records to substantiate the amounts of grants or assistance through the preparation of sub-award agreements.Each organization is vetted for eligibility during the sub-award recruitment phase of the grant project.Sub-awardees are selected either to provide support (technical or other) to Freshwater in accomplishing project objectives, or are being supported by Freshwater as part of those objectives. Each sub-awardee is required to report on how their funds have been used on a frequency based on their specific agreements. This normally ranges from one to six months. Form 990, Part III, line 2 Water Workforce Pathways: This initiative by Freshwater aims to enhance the visibility and accessibility of stable, well-paying careers in the water industry. This multifaceted program addresses critical challenges such as workforce burnout, lack of diversity, and the impending retirement of a significant portion of current professionals. Key components include educational outreach to K-12 students, development of clear career guides, compilation of technical training programs, and the creation of standardized, inclusive job postings. By fostering connections across public and private sectors, the initiative seeks to build a more diverse and resilient water workforce. Circular Water Economy Project: Freshwater is actively promoting circular water systems in Minnesota, focusing on recycling, conserving, and replenishing local water supplies. Activities include site visits in Waconia, Hugo, and Woodbury to showcase stormwater reuse implementations. Executive Director Michelle Stockness recently discussed with Treatment Plant Operator magazine how circular water systems can replace traditional one-way operations, enhancing infrastructure resilience within watersheds. Additionally, Freshwater is finalizing a white paper titled "State of Minnesota's Circular Water Economy," which analyzes current water use and gathers insights from government and industry experts on implementing circular water strategies. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, line 1a The Board of Directors may designate an Executive Committee composed of at least three (3) officers and any additional individuals designated by the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee shall have the authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business of this corporation in the interval between meetings of the Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee shall at all times be subject to the control and direction of the Board of Directors. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 11b The return is reviewed by the Finance Director prior to Finance Committee review. A copy of the Form 990 is approved by the Finance Committee and provided to the Board before it is filed. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 12c All officers, directors, and key employees are required to sign a conflict of interest policy annually. The forms are reviewed and any items noted as conflicts are reviewed by the Board to determine if any restrictions need to be imposed on a person with a conflict, which would typically include a restriction from voting on matters related to the conflict. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, line 15a Organization-wide practice is for compensation to be reviewed periodically with industry salary survey data and is commensurate with the position and experience of the individual. Annual reviews are conducted that are linked with changes in compensation. The Board of Directors annually reviews the Executive Director's performance and sets the Executive Director's compensation. The process was last completed in 2023. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, line 19 The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request and at the organization's discretion. Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c This process has not changed from the prior year.