Michigan Colleges Alliance
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
See Schedule O
- Income
- $5.2 million
- Spending
- $5.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 2.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 106
- Highest pay
- $626,684, president
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
Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2531 of 32 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $536,491 spent. College Access and Success - MCA conducts a number of programs to facilitate college choice in Michigan. Examples include: 1) a unique collective promotional campaign, "we are the independents", is at the center of this work. The campaign reaches students, parents, counselors and educators to create a greater awareness of the value, affordability, and educational opportunities at MCA institutions 2) targeted college fairs and college preparation programs for high school students and families 3) the Kalamazoo Math and Science Institute provides opportunities for 8th grade students to participate directly (alongside MCA faculty and students) in hands-on field and lab work in algebra and biology. The program introduces students to STEM fields in an engaging format and prepares them for high school and college success. Held new initiatives for targeted enrollment markets, early middle college students, Michigan Hispanic collaborative and Kalamazoo public schools. Conducted Kalamazoo Math and Science Institute and Battle Creek Math and Science Summer Program. Continued exclusive college fairs in key recruiting markets.
- $3.5 million spent. Scholarships and Member Services - Private scholarship funds represent the area of greatest impact for our campuses, as they allow students to fulfill their education aspirations in small, teaching-oriented settings surrounded by fields of study at the center of our emerging knowledge-based economy. Scholarships include Michigan Scholarship Fund, named Scholarships, College Community Challenge Scholarships, Have Faith Haiti Scholarship Fund and others. Exclusive partnerships with the Kalamazoo Promise and The Bearcat Advantage represent major college affordability initiatives. Other member services include collective purchasing and collective higher education legal services program. MCA awarded $3,459,472 to students at the 15 MCA institutions studying a wide range of fields and provided additional operational and programmatic funds to member campuses.
- $844,083 spent. Talent Development - MCA develops and manages programs to prepare and retain graduates for the Michigan workforce. Examples include: 1) a signature concierge corporate recruiting initiative provides customized access for Michigan business to possible interns and employees 2) an annual roundtable on talent is held at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, bringing corporate executives together with nationwide college and university presidents to collaborate on workforce development and student success 3) student/faculty project work with Michigan companies also highlights MCA's talent focus 4) MCA also facilitates cross-campus classroom learning opportunities for its members. Held the thirteenth consecutive Mackinac roundtable on talent with record college president participation and attendees from more than thirty-six states. Rolled out a collective talent development hub for employers to develop and attract rising talent on member institutions, Michigan Career Connect. Populated the Michigan Career Connect Hub with campus content, student programming and career development resources. Began partnership with 12twenty, connecting students to thousands of Michigan employers. Maintained and expanded partnerships with signature Michigan companies though the Concierge Career Connection Program to secure employment and internship opportunities for students. Continued student entrepreneurship competition, the MCA college community challenge, with a focus on community impact and social entrepreneurship, including a dedicated pitch session to statewide corporate leaders. Continued collective-wide professional development sessions with corporate and community leaders. Developed coursework for a new collective-wide technical distinction (micro-credential) program in fund development. Identified course objectives and learning outcomes, developed content for sixteen-module credentials, recruited students and faculty, and secured internship and content partners for program launch in the fall 2025 semester.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1950.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.