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Operation Refuge

EIN 26-1752073 · Inkster, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OPERATION REFUGE EXISTS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES, FOSTERING RESILIENCE, AND BUILDING PATHWAYS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE. THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING COMMUNITY NEEDS BY DELIVERING FOOD ASSISTANCE, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND UPLIFT COMMUNITIES. THROUGH COLLABORATION AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICE, OPERATION REFUGE WORKS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY, RESTORE DIGNITY, AND HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACHIEVE LONG-TERM STABILITY AND SUCCESS.

Income
$206,821
Spending
$205,992
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
4.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2026, 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. OPERATION REFUGE EXISTS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES, FOSTERING RESILIENCE, AND BUILDING PATHWAYS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE. THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING COMMUNITY NEEDS BY DELIVERING FOOD ASSISTANCE, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND UPLIFT COMMUNITIES. THROUGH COLLABORATION AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICE, OPERATION REFUGE WORKS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY, RESTORE DIGNITY, AND HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACHIEVE LONG-TERM STABILITY AND SUCCESS.
  2. $186,368 spent. OPERATION REFUGE EXISTS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES, FOSTERING RESILIENCE, AND BUILDING PATHWAYS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE. THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING COMMUNITY NEEDS BY DELIVERING FOOD ASSISTANCE, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND UPLIFT COMMUNITIES. THROUGH COLLABORATION AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICE, OPERATION REFUGE WORKS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY, RESTORE DIGNITY, AND HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACHIEVE LONG-TERM STABILITY AND SUCCESS.
  3. OPERATION REFUGE EXISTS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES, FOSTERING RESILIENCE, AND BUILDING PATHWAYS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE. THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING COMMUNITY NEEDS BY DELIVERING FOOD ASSISTANCE, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND UPLIFT COMMUNITIES. THROUGH COLLABORATION AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICE, OPERATION REFUGE WORKS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY, RESTORE DIGNITY, AND HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ACHIEVE LONG-TERM STABILITY AND SUCCESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2026, 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 February 15, 2017 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on February 15, 2017.

    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 July 2026.

    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 June 2017.

    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.