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Chance for Life Organization

EIN 11-3761327 · Southfield, MI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO TRANSFORM THE MINDSET OF BOTH THE INCARCERATED AND FORMALLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY SAFETY. TO ASSIST FAMILIES WITH THE INTEGRATION OF FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS BACK INTO THE FAMILY UNIT AS WELL AS INTO THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 96%
Employees
7
Highest pay
$125,325, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $1.3 million spent. IN 2025 CHANCE FOR LIFE FACILITATED "RE-ENTRY" PROGRAMS IN 4 MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FACILITIES TO ASSIST INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS PREPARING FOR RE-ENTRY INTO SOCIETY. DURING THE YEAR, OVER 750 INDIVIDUALS BENIFITTED FROM VARIOUS PROGRAMS TO ASSIST INMATES AND FORMER PRISONERS DURING THE TRANSITION FROM PRISON TO NORMAL SOCEITY. FURTHERMORE, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED TRANSFORMATIONAL TRAINING CLASSES IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS TO APPROXIMATELY 600 INDIVIDUALS. THE WAITING LIST TO ATTEND THESE CLASSES INCREASED TO 35-40 PEOPLE. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDED COURSES IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION, JOB TRAINING, COACHING AND MENTORSHIP.
  2. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING LIFE IMPROVEMENT, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY - PROVIDED FOOD TO 250 FAMILIES. - PROVIDED CLOTHING & HYGIENE PRODUCTS TO OVER 175 INDIVIDUALS. - PROVIDED JOBS ASSISTANCE OR WORK RELATED SERVICES TO OVER 1,500 PEOPLE. - PROVIDED 40 SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND SKILLED TRADES AND AI/IT TRAINING.
  3. DURING 2024, CHANCE FOR LIFE IMPLEMENTED THE SOAR PROGRAM FOR SENIORS IN SUPPORT OF A PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE DETROIT AREA AGENCY ON AGING, DAAA. THIS PROGRAM ASSISTS SENIORS WITH GED SUPPORT, IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE & MONTHLY CHECK-INS. IN 2025 CHANCE FOR LIFE PROVIDED RESOURCES TO MORE THAN 200 SENIORS.
  4. TO ASSIST CONVICTED CRIMINALS IN REENTERING THE WORKFORCE UPON RELEASE FROM PRISON.
  5. TO ASSIST CONVICTED CRIMINALS IN REENTERING THE WORKFORCE UPON RELEASE FROM PRISON.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2010.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.