Odc Network

What it reported doing in 2025

First accomplishment: in 2000, a local nonprofit wildlife unlimited of allegan and ottawa counties formed a partnership with the ottawa area intermediate school district to create an outdoor education center that would serve the allegan and ottawa counties schools and community. This entity was the outdoor discovery center (odc). Nine years later, the odc merged with the macatawa greenway partnership in an effort to leverage and expand their missions. That was the beginning of a significant growth period for the odc. In the coming years, 9 additional business divisions were developed that drive our goals to redefine education, restore and conserve land and water, and to make our community the best place to live, work, play and learn. Our breadth of services led to a name change to the odc network which serves as the parent organization that performs essential, mission specific work to drive community change, growth, and impact in conservation and education. The odc network's mission is to advance outdoor education and conservation. The odc network operates two greenway projects, a watershed clean-up initiative, three nature-based preschools, two nature centers, multiple wildlife preserves, an eco-tour business, a land conservation and restoration business, and an educational consulting business. The following divisions have been established to facilitate the programs and projects of the odc network. Outdoor discovery center (odc): the odc provides educational opportunities to the west Michigan community to enhance the knowledge and understanding of our natural and cultural resources. The odc is home to a variety of habitats, walking trails, live animal exhibits, and a wide array of educational facilities. The odc is open free to the public 365 days a year. Macatawa river greenway (mrg): its mission is to protect enhance natural lands, streams, and open spaces within the lake macatawa watershed for public enjoyment and the preservation of plant and wildlife habitat. Where appropriate, the mrg will create parks and open spaces for recreation, conservation, water quality improvement, and preservation. Odc explorer network: it provides nature-based, small group eco-tour excursions with experienced travelers and naturalists from the odc network. The odc network connects people with unique ecosystems and experiences aimed at building knowledge, and understanding of the unique natural history and cultural history of the world. On average, the odc explorer network facilitates two eco-tour adventures each year. Odc early childhood: the odc early childhood business line includes little hawks discovery preschool, hatchlings child care, seedlings discovery preschool and dragonflies discovery preschool. These are nature based early childhood programs that focus on connecting early learners to the outdoors. Nearly 400 children ages 0-5 attend these programs where they are provided a quality early childhood experience that prepares them to be active, independent learners who have knowledge of and appreciation for the natural world and ensuring a healthier lifestyle. Project clarity (pc): the pc mission is to restore the water quality of lake macatawa and the macatawa watershed through a multi-phased approach focused on land restoration, best management practices, community education, and long-term sustainability. Over the past 4 years over 100 watershed restoration projects have been implemented in the macatawa watershed. Odc conservation services: its purpose is to provide land management and restoration services, invasive species management, and wildlife habitat and conservation improvement to public and private land owners in the kalamazoo and macatawa river watershed region. Currently, odc conservation services provide habitat management services to over 100 customers in west Michigan. Odc education network: it provides a customized set of professional development and nature-based education opportunities to help students, educators and e

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 85.9%; rating input score 86
• Program expense ratio: 83.2%; rating input score 83
• Fundraising efficiency: $11.93 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 38; 38th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -3.8%; rating input score 12; 12th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.47; rating input score 41; 41st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.48; rating input score 27; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.4%; rating input score 61; 61st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 18.4% per year; rating input score 100; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 15.2% per year; rating input score 100; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 13.1% per year; rating input score 100; 78th percentile among comparable filings