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Play-Place Autism & Special Needs Center

EIN 27-5374352 · Sterling Heights, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak11 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A FUN-FILLED, JUDGEMENT-FREE HAVEN OF HOPE FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY AUTISM THROUGH A UNIQUE PLAY POWERED ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$188,937
Spending
$195,260
Reserves
-4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 11 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 582% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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. $18,556 spent. PLAY-PLACE WAS ABLE TO REBOOT AND REFOCUS WITH REVITALIZING OUR FIELD TRIP AND HAIRCUT PROGRAMMING. WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO IMPLEMENT NEW RESPITE & CLS PROGRAMMING AND GARNER VEDOR CONTRACTS (WITH OAKLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK AND OAKLAND FAMILY SERVICES) RELATIVE TO THE SAME. WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE WHOLE WORKFORCE RETENTION CHALLENGE, PLAY-PLACE WAS MIRACULOUSLY ABLE TO KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN OPERATING WITH A 2 PERSON / 2 CORE VOLUNTEER STAFF AND FROM PROCEEDS OF AN ENORMOUSLY SUCCESSFUL BOTTLE DRIVE.
  2. $3,946 spent. PLAY-PLACE WAS ABLE TO REBOOT AND REFOCUS WITH REVITALIZING OUR FIELD TRIP

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2022 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2022.

    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 December 2023.

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

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.

    Recognized by the IRS in January 2026. It is too new to have a track record.

    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.