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Michigan Turfgrass Foundation C/O Dept of Crop & Soil Science

EIN 23-7448202 · Lansing, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A PROGRAM OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH GRANTS IN THE FIELD OF AGRONOMY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO TURFGRASS, AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE IN THE AREA OF AGRONOMY.

Income
$220,577
Spending
$323,291
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
20.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$40,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (3)
  1. $105,850 spent. TURFGRASS RESEARCH TO STUDY TURFGRASS AND RELATED DISEASES WITH MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY. CONTRIBUTIONS TO EXTENSION FOR DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS TO MEMBERSHIP.
  2. $82,728 spent. ANNUAL CONFERENCE - SERVING TURFGRASS AND MEMBERS AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING FOR HOME AND COMMERCIAL LAWNCARE HELD ANNUALLY WITH INFORMATION ON DEVELOPMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. TRADE SHOW EXHIBITION HELD FOR MEMBERS AND OTHER TURFGRASS MANAGERS ON THE LATEST MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES.
  3. $15,934 spent. FIELD DAY - MICHIGAN TURFGRASS FOUNDATION HOSTS AN ANNUAL FIELD DAY WHERE EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS HIGHLIGHT TURFGRASS MAINTENANCE & HEALTH.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1982.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.