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Grand Rapids Urban League Inc

EIN 38-1359259 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADVOCATE FOR THE DISADVANTAGED

Income
$7.1 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 77%
Employees
44
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$134,915, president/ce

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 44% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 202% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (5)
  1. $1.0 million spent. CDFI - CREATES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN UNDERSERVED MARKETS BY SUPPORTING AND ADVANCING ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ("MBES") OPERATING IN THE GREATER GRAND RAPIDS AREA, AND TO OFFER SMALL DOLLAR LOAN PROGRAM AND SUPPORT SERVICES DESIGNED FOR MBES THAT ARE READY TO EXPAND.
  2. $987,719 spent. HEALTH - PROGRAM FOR SMOKE FREE HOMES, OTHER ADVOCACY TO INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN YOUNG CHILDREN, AND INTERRUPTION OF VIOLENCE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY (APPROXIMATELY 2,700 SERVED IN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES, APPROXIMATELY 18,000 SERVED VIA VACCINE CLINICS, HEALTH EDUCATION AND AWARENESS FAIRS AND RALLIES, AND BROAD-BASED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS).
  3. $545,196 spent. HOUSING ASSISTANCE - PROVIDED ASSISTANCE RELATING TO LANDLORD/TENANT AFFAIRS, ONE-TIME HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS, HOUSING COUNSELING (APPROXIMATELY 4,700 PEOPLE SERVED).
  4. $694,833 spent. EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE - PROVIDES AREA EMPLOYERS WITH ASSISTANCE IN THE COST OF TRAINING FUTURE EMPLOYEES (APPROXIMATELY 1,300 SERVED). EDUCATION SERVICES - PROVIDE STUDENTS AT THE MIDDLE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE NECESSARY TO COMPETE ACADEMICALLY WHILE EXPOSING THEM TO VARIOUS CAREERS, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES. (APPROXIMATELY 1,200 STUDENTS SERVED). RACIAL EQUITY - THE CENTER FOR RACIAL EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION FOCUSES ON THE PROMOTION OF RACIAL EQUITY, SECURE JUSTICE AND SUPPORT INCLUSION FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR THROUGH: PUBLIC EDUCATION; COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING; LEGAL REFORM AND ENFORCEMENT; PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY; AND COLLABORATIVE SOCIAL ACTION.
  5. EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE - PROVIDES AREA EMPLOYERS WITH ASSISTANCE IN THE COST OF TRAINING FUTURE EMPLOYEES (APPROXIMATELY 1,300 SERVED). EDUCATION SERVICES - PROVIDE STUDENTS AT THE MIDDLE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE NECESSARY TO COMPETE ACADEMICALLY WHILE EXPOSING THEM TO VARIOUS CAREERS, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES. (APPROXIMATELY 1,200 STUDENTS SERVED). RACIAL EQUITY - THE CENTER FOR RACIAL EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION FOCUSES ON THE PROMOTION OF RACIAL EQUITY, SECURE JUSTICE AND SUPPORT INCLUSION FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR THROUGH: PUBLIC EDUCATION; COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING; LEGAL REFORM AND ENFORCEMENT; PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY; AND COLLABORATIVE SOCIAL ACTION.

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 2024.

    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 March 1975.

    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.