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Talent First Inc

EIN 27-0193853 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TALENTFIRST CONVENES BUSINESS LEADERS, LEVERAGES DATA AND INSIGHTS, AND ADVANCES STRATEGIES TO DEFINE THE SKILLS AND CREDENTIALS EMPLOYERS NEED, CLOSE WORKFORCE GAPS, AND STRENGTHEN WEST MICHIGAN AS A LEADER IN EMPLOYER-DRIVEN TALENT SOLUTIONS.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
10
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$265,172, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 95% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 86% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 2024, 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 (2)
  1. $1.2 million spent. TALENTFIRST IS A CEO ALLIANCE SERVING 13 COUNTIES IN WEST MICHIGAN, PROVIDING LEADERSHIP ON THE REGION'S MOST PRESSING TALENT CHALLENGES. GUIDED BY OUR NEW STRATEGIC PLAN, WE CONVENE BUSINESS LEADERS, LEVERAGE DATA AND INSIGHTS, AND ADVANCE STRATEGIES TO DEFINE THE SKILLS AND CREDENTIALS EMPLOYERS NEED, CLOSE WORKFORCE GAPS, AND STRENGTHEN WEST MICHIGAN AS A LEADER IN EMPLOYER-DRIVEN TALENT SOLUTIONS. OUR WORK ENSURES THAT EMPLOYERS CAN ATTRACT, RETAIN, AND DEVELOP THE TALENT THEY NEED AND THAT INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE REGION HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROSPER.
  2. $1.6 million spent. THE MICHIGAN CENTER FOR ADULT AND COLLEGE SUCCESS SERVES AS THE STATE'S PRIMARY RESOURCE FOR RESEARCH, SUPPORT, AND BEST PRACTICES ON ENSURING ADULT ENROLLMENT AND COMPLETION OF CREDENTIALS. THIS INITIATIVE IS FUNDED WITH AN APPROPRIATION FROM THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED RESEARCH, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EVIDENCE-BASED BEST PRACTICE IMPLEMENTATION AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 September 2010.

    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 October 21, 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.