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Lutheran Child & Family Service of Michigan

EIN 38-1359524 · Saginaw, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MOTIVATED BY CHRIST'S LOVE, WE ENGAGE PEOPLE AS THEY EXPERIENCE AND EMBRACE THEIR GOD-GIVEN POTENTIAL.

Income
$32.7 million
Spending
$29.9 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
511
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$296,255, president & ceo

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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $5.6 million spent. RESIDENTIAL CARE - DURING 2024 LUTHERAN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICE OF MICHIGAN HAD TWO RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGED 11 TO 18 YEARS. NEW DIRECTIONS IN FARMINGTON HILLS, MICHIGAN HAS A CAPACITY FOR 32 DUAL DIAGNOSED YOUTH WHO ARE BOTH EMOTIONALLY AND MENTALLY IMPAIRED.
  2. $10.0 million spent. FOSTER CARE - LUTHERAN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICE OF MICHIGAN PROVIDES SERVICE TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CARE OF THEIR PARENTS, EITHER VOLUNTARILY OR BY STATE ORDER. CHILDREN ARE SUPERVISED IN TEMPORARY LIVING ARRANGEMENTS UNTIL THEY CAN BE RETURNED TO THEIR FAMILY OR TO ANOTHER PERMANENT HOME SUCH AS THROUGH AN ADOPTION.
  3. $8.7 million spent. FAMILY SERVICES - THE FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO FAMILIES WHO ARE IN DANGER OF HAVING THEIR CHILDREN REMOVED FROM THE HOME. SERVICES INCLUDE IN-HOME COUNSELING, PARENTING TRAINING, DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND OTHER SERVICES TO KEEP CHILDREN IN THE HOME.
  4. MISCELLANEOUS INCOME INCLUDES RENTAL INCOME, AND REIMBURSED EXPENSES FOR THE ADOPTION PROGRAM AS WELL AS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE DISORDER PROGRAMS. LUTHERAN CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICE OF MICHIGAN SUPPORTS ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUUAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES IN FOUR RESIDENTIAL HOMES.

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 August 1956.

    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.