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The Engineering Society of Detroit

EIN 38-1207155 · Southfield, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESD PROMOTES AND CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, COOPERATION, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND FELLOWSHIP IN THE ENGINEERING, SCIENTIFIC AND ALLIED PROFESSIONS.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
14.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
46
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$217,624, secretary/exec director

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

Financial health

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 June 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. $1.7 million spent. VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING THE FUTURE CITY COMPETITION. THE MICHIGAN REGIONAL FUTURE CITY COMPETITION IS A TRANSFORMATIVE, PROJECT BASED LEARNING PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS IN 6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH GRADES IMAGINE, RESEARCH, DESIGN AND BUILD CITIES OF THE FUTURE. FUTURE CITY IS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN STUDENTS' 21ST CENTURY SKILLS, TEACHES THEM ENGINEERING AND CIVICS CONCEPTS, MOTIVATES THEM TO STUDY MATH AND SCIENCE, AND INTRODUCES THEM TO POTENTIAL CAREERS WITHIN THE ENGINEERING FIELD.
  2. $843,057 spent. THE GIRLS IN ENGINEERING ACADEMY IS A FOUR-WEEK SUMMER EXPERIENCE AND ACADEMIC YEAR PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE AND ENGAGE MINORITY FEMALE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) FIELDS. GIRLS IN ENGINEERING EXPOSES STUDENTS TO ENGINEERING THROUGH A VARIETY OF HANDS-ON, PROJECT BASED EXPERIENCES AND INDUSTRIAL ORIENTATIONS. THIS ALL FEMALE TAUGHT, RIGOROUS PROGRAM ENHANCES THE GIRLS' COMPETITIVE POSITION AS THEY ENTER HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AND ULTIMATELY A STEM RELATED CAREER.
  3. $23,916 spent. ESD STUDENT CHAPTERS OFFER ENGINEERING STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND NETWORK WITH ENGINEERS AND TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS, CONNECT WITH STUDENT CHAPTER MEMBERS FROM OTHER UNIVERSITIES, GAIN LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE AND FIND VALUABLE CONNECTIONS POTENTIALLY LEADING TO INTERNSHIPS, COOP OPPORTUNITIES AND JOBS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 June 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 October 1988.

    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.