irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0The Saunders Finger Lakes Museum (SFLM) focused on the following efforts throughout 2024: capital project construction and consultants, programs/experiences, and campus assets. 1) Capital Project - Under the supervision of the construction management team, the new main exhibit building structure was erected with foundations, infrastructure, steel framing, roof, insulation and exterior weatherization, interior framing, and partial in-ground utilities. 2) Capital Project Consultants - a) Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering Consultants - finalized plaza features surrounding the new Exhibit building and developed full site plans for site entrances, walkways, parking, and landscaping. b) Exhibit Design Teams provided conceptual designs for phase 2 - Backscape work and supported the campaign efforts with graphics and videos showcasing the exhibits in the new exhibit building. c) Architectural Teams performed ongoing construction supervision to ensure structure was being built to the specifications outlined. Minimal change orders were issued during work performed in 2024.
- #2 $0The SFLM installed a new, EZ Dock/Launch along the shore of Sugar Creek which runs through the museum's campus. This new EZ Dock features an easy-to-use ADA transfer bench and drive-through launch that allows people with disabilities, children, or seniors to feel confident in transferring into their watercraft independently and provides extra stability when launching and docking. This dock also has a curbing feature that provides a safe border around the dock edges for wheelchairs. This dock provided incredible ease for paddlers of all ages! The Museum also installed automatic locking systems at its Creekside restroom facilities with seasonal timed access from 7am7pm. This new feature ensured that the new public restrooms were consistently open when residents, visitors, and program participants needed them most. This approach made the new launch and overall facilities a sought after destination for individuals who enjoy paddling on their own time and with their own boats. Along with the enhancements at the Creekside Center, the Museum's main campus had on display its outdoor 11 Lakes exhibit (an exhibit highlighting key cultural and natural history stories from each of the 11 Finger Lakes), provided upgrades to the children's natural playscape and storywalk, and enhanced site landscaping. On the Museum's 16-acre wetland parcel, also known as the Townsend Grady Wildlife Preserve, the trails and boardwalk continued to be a draw and attraction for locals and guest to explore. The SFLM pursued securing a permit with the DEC looking to expand their dock at the lakeside octagon pavilion located at the southernmost tip of their wetland property. Those discussions are ongoing and final approval was still pending at the EOY 2024. The Museum's programs/experience throughout the 2024 year included: public and private paddling programs (sunset paddles, paddling lessons, paddling instructor certification classes, youth training classes, private paddles for families, scout, and school groups), school group excursions, fitness classes, musical performances, and community and private events accommodating all age groups.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
11 Lakes Exhibit
Outdoor exhibit highlighting cultural and natural history stories from each of the 11 Finger Lakes, located on the museum campus.
Children's Natural Playscape
Outdoor nature-based play area for children located on the museum campus, designed to encourage exploration and learning.
Creekside Paddling Programs
Public and private paddling experiences including sunset paddles, lessons, youth training, and guided tours offered through the Creekside Center.
Paddle Keuka 5K Race
Annual 80s-themed paddling race on Keuka Lake featuring kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, with costumes, food, raffles, and awards.
Townsend Grady Wildlife Preserve
16-acre wetland preserve open year-round for public access, hiking, and guided walks, featuring trails and a boardwalk.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Recreational Boating and Sailing Programs 3 activities
- Annual Paddle Keuka 5K eventHosts the annual Paddle Keuka 5K recreational race for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards on the first Saturday in August, launching from the museum and ending at Sugar Creek, with equipment rentals, participant raffles, post-race stroke clinics, and fundraising to support youth and environmental education programs.
- Public kayak and canoe launch and paddling accessOperates an ADA-accessible kayak and canoe launch site on Sugar Creek with dual-vessel rails and rollers, an EZ Dock with transfer bench and curbing for wheelchair safety, and self-guided rentals for up to three hours on Keuka Lake and Sugar Creek, including equipment and staff support.
- Youth and beginner paddling instructionOffers free paddling programs for children ages 8–12 in Yates County, beginner and intermediate kayak lessons, certified kayaking instruction (ACA, ECSI, NYS Parks), and introductory programs covering boat parts, paddling skills, and water safety.
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Library and Community Facility Renovation 1 activity
- Construction and infrastructure developmentCompleted construction of the main exhibit building (foundations, steel framing, roof, insulation, weatherization, utilities), an ADA-accessible EZ Dock, automatic locking restroom systems, and an outdoor Children's Natural Playscape to support public access and programming.
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Outdoor Recreation Access Promotion 1 activity
- Cultural and community engagement eventsHosts book club meetings with Finger Lakes authors, storytelling sessions about the Haudenosaunee in local classrooms, evening paddles for meteor showers, fall foliage paddles, paddleboard yoga, Longboat Food & Wine Tours with regional tastings, and social events including coffee chats.
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Art Museum Funding and Support 1 activity
- Funding acquisition and grant supportSupports federal, state, and local grant applications and liaises with regional private foundations to secure funding, including a $1.8 million grant from the New York State Council on the Arts for the main exhibition hall construction.
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Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Guided and educational outdoor programsOrganizes year-round guided educational programs including hikes, bird-watching, snowshoeing, reptile and amphibian studies, water quality monitoring, benthic macroinvertebrate identification, animal tracking, and lessons on glacial geology, watersheds, and invasive species, led by trained educators and naturalists.
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Children's Play and Motor Development Spaces 1 activity
- Nature-based family and children’s play areasOperates the Creekside Center family play zone featuring a natural PlayScape with sand pit, stream access, wooden huts, climbing obstacles, educational cutouts, a StoryWalk that displays book pages along a path, picnic tables, shaded areas, and seasonal amenities.
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Managed Campground and Retreat Operations 1 activity
- Private and group programmingHosts private programs for scouting groups, school field trips, corporate team-building, family outings, birthday parties, reunions, and scout campouts, providing facilities, equipment, and tailored activities such as paddling, problem-solving initiatives, and merit badge support.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Public access to nature preserves and trailsManages and maintains the 16-acre Townsend-Grady Wildlife Preserve and a 6.5-acre Nature Escape Sensory Trail (NEST), offering year-round public access via multiple nature trails, a 200-foot elevated boardwalk, interpretive signage, and inclusion in the New York State Birding Trail. The campus is open from dawn to dusk.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer and community support programsOffers volunteer opportunities through the Bloomerang platform for program support, site upkeep (mowing, weeding, clean-up), content production (blogs, photography, social media), and capital project development since 2008.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.23M
Contributions & grants$1.19M97%
Program service revenue$24K2%
Investment income$16K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$847K
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$256K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$12.57M
Cash$735K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.27M
Net assets$10.30M
Liquid reserves10.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -71.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NATALIE PAYNE | Executive Dir. | 40 | $95K |
board members · 20
- DAVE SWIFT — Trustee
- DONALD BUDMEN — Trustee
- EILEEN FEINMAN — Trustee
- FRED MCCOY — Trustee
- HENRY MAUS — Trustee
- JEFFREY KOTALIK — VICE CHAIR
- JOHN HALSTEAD — Trustee
- LAURIE BROCCOLO — VICE CHAIR
- LESLIE CONNOLLY — CHAIR
- LISA DRESTE — Trustee
- MARK STASH — Trustee
- MARTHA SWIFT — Treasurer
- NICOLE MAHONEY — Trustee
- PATTY REDDING — Trustee
- PAUL ALIOTO — Trustee
- REBECCA BARONE — Trustee
- TIM SELLERS — Trustee
- WENDY MERVIS — Trustee
- WILLIAM F GASKE — Secretary
- WILLIAM SCHOFF — Trustee
relationships · 24
Who they work with
- ACA (American Canoe Association) Partner — Provides certification standards for kayaking instruction offered by museum staff
- Angela Cannon-Crothers Partner — Local author leading book club meetings hosted by the museum.
- Bloomerang Volunteer Partner — Platform used to manage and promote volunteer opportunities for the museum.
- Broccolo Tree & Lawn Care Partner — Sponsor of the NEST project
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology Partner — Collaborates with museum volunteer on Project FeederWatch for over 25 winters
- DEC Government — Pursuing a permit with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to expand the dock at the lakeside octagon pavilion.
- Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation Partner — Sponsor of the NEST project
- ECSI Partner — Provides Wilderness First Aid and CPR/AED certification for museum program staff
- Golisano Foundation Partner — Sponsor of the NEST project
- Jeanne Crane Partner — Local author leading book club meetings hosted by the museum.
- Kathleen Brenneman Grants for Autism Partner — Sponsor of the NEST project
- Keuka Lake Association Partner — Shared educational content about turtle species found in the Keuka Lake watershed for public dissemination by the museum.
- Keuka Lake State Park Partner — Allows spectators free access to observe the Paddle Keuka 5K race from the park during the event.
- Laura Stom Partner — Certified yoga instructor leading paddleboard yoga sessions for the museum.
- Morgan Marine Partner — Donated a Jackson Tupelo 12.5' kayak for raffling at the Paddle Keuka 5K event.
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provided a $1.8 million grant to support construction of the museum’s main exhibition hall.
- New York State Parks Government — Administers NY Boating Safety certification used by museum instructors
- Paul Mitchell Partner — Local author leading book club meetings hosted by the museum.
- Perry Ground Partner — Master Storyteller & Cultural Educator who conducted classroom visits to teach fourth-grade students about the Haudenosaunee.
- Tourism Advisory Committee of Yates County Partner — Sponsor of the NEST project
- Townsend Grady Wildlife Preserve Partner — Jointly managed or accessed site for public trails and wildlife viewing.
- Townsend-Grady Wildlife Preserve Partner — Co-manages or operates programming at the preserve connected to the museum campus via Sugar Creek.
- Townsend-Grady Wildlife Preserve Partner — Site for guided hikes led by museum nature guides.
- Yates Community Endowment Partner — Sponsor of the NEST project
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Engaged Co-Creationmethodology: community-engaged exhibit developmentBy involving community members in exhibit development and program design through workshops and site visits, the museum ensures cultural relevance and strengthens local ownership, because participatory processes build trust, increase engagement, and reflect diverse community perspectives.
- Experiential and Immersive Learningmethodology: experiential_educationBy using hands-on, sensory-rich, and activity-based experiences such as paddling, craft-making, and interactive exhibits, the museum fosters deeper engagement and lasting understanding of regional ecology and cultural history, because immersive formats activate curiosity and emotional connection more effectively than passive learning.
- Inclusive Access by Designmethodology: inclusive-access designBy designing physical infrastructure like ADA-accessible docks and offering flexible volunteer roles, the museum enables equitable participation across age and ability, because removing structural barriers promotes independence, dignity, and broader community integration.
- Nature-Based Education with Curricular Alignmentmethodology: curriculum-aligned educationBy aligning hands-on, nature-based programming with state educational standards, the museum increases adoption by schools and enhances learning outcomes, because curriculum integration makes informal environmental education a viable and credible extension of classroom instruction.