Samaritas
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $106.4 million
- Spending
- $93.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 3.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 47%
- Employees
- 818
- Volunteers
- 814
- Highest pay
- $361,250, coo, child and family thru 12/24
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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
10 of 10Gave 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 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)
- $31.2 million spent. SAMARITAS SENIOR LIVING OFFERS RETIREMENT LIVING FOR SENIORS WITH FIVE COMMUNITIES IN MICHIGAN. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE INDEPENDENT LIVING, ASSISTED LIVING, SKILLED NURSING, MEMORY SUPPORT, AND REHABILITATION THERAPY OR HOME CARE SERVICES. OUR EXPERT CLINICAL TEAMS WILL HELP EVALUATE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO DETERMINE WHAT PROGRAM WILL BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS, WHILE ALSO ALLOWING FOR THE MOST INDEPENDENCE POSSIBLE. AS NEEDS CHANGE, SAMARITAS SENIOR LIVING HELPS GUIDE RESIDENTS TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL TRANSITIONS OF CARE. OUR INDEPENDENT APARTMENTS IN GRAND RAPIDS GIVE EVERY SENIOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAPTURE THE BEST OF EVERY DAY, FIND INSPIRATION IN AN ART OR MUSIC CLASS, ENJOY A COMPETITIVE GAME OF CARDS, GAIN NEW INSIGHT FROM A VISITING LECTURER, OR ENJOY A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN WITH NEIGHBORS. OUR RESIDENTS LIVE LIFE ON THEIR TERMS, ENJOYING WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT AT SAMARITAS SENIOR LIVING. WHEN OUR RESIDENTS NEED INCREASED SUPPORTS, CATERED LIVING PROVIDES THE SERVICES OF ASSISTED LIVING IN OUR RESIDENTS' APARTMENT ALLOWING OUR RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THEIR HOME BUT HAVE THE SECURITY OF 24-HOUR CARE. SAMARITAS SENIOR LIVING OFFERS ONE COMMUNITY FOR ASSISTED LIVING IN GRAND RAPIDS. THIS COMMUNITY PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, PERSONALIZED CARE TAILORED TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL ABILITIES. SAMARITAS ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING YOU MAXIMIZE YOUR INDEPENDENCE. WHETHER YOU NEED HELP WITH MEDICATION MANAGEMENT, BATHING, DRESSING OR TRANSPORTATION, OUR CARING TEAMS ARE THERE TO LEND A HAND. SAMARITAS SENIOR LIVING HAS THREE STATE-LICENSED SKILLED CARE COMMUNITIES, LOCATED IN CADILLAC AND GRAND RAPIDS. EACH COMMUNITY FOCUSES ITS SERVICES IN THESE MAIN AREAS: SKILLED NURSING, MEMORY CARE, INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION AND RESPITE CARE. RESIDENTS AT THESE COMMUNITIES RECEIVE 24-HOUR CARE SERVICES TAILORED TO THEIR NEEDS. WHETHER THE GOAL IS TO RETURN HOME FOLLOWING A REHABILITATION STAY OR TO HAVE PERMANENT RESIDENCE, SAMARITAS SKILLED CARE COMMUNITIES WILL DEVELOP A TREATMENT PLAN CUSTOM FOR OUR RESIDENTS. FOR SENIORS WHO REQUIRE CONTINUOUS NURSING CARE, OUR SKILLED NURSES IN GRAND RAPIDS AND CADILLAC PROVIDE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT. RESIDENTS ARE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO BE AS INDEPENDENT AS POSSIBLE WITH THE ASSURANCE OF CARE FROM OUR LICENSED STAFF MEMBERS. SPECIALIZED PROGRAMMING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT, THE HARBOR PROVIDES A SECURE ENVIRONMENT AND PROGRAMMING WITHIN THE LODGE. THE HARBOR HAS SPECIALIZED CAREGIVERS WHO ARE TRAINED TO WORK WITH ONE OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. REHABILITATION
- $27.5 million spent. SAMARITAS HAS BEEN PROVIDING SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SINCE 1934. WE ARE THE LARGEST PRIVATE FOSTER CARE ORGANIZATION IN MICHIGAN, WITH 11 REGIONAL CENTERS IN THE LOWER PENINSULA. FOSTER CARE IS A SERVICE PROVIDED TO CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO AGE 18 WHO HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOME BECAUSE OF RISK OF NEGLECT OR ABUSE. FOSTER FAMILIES PROVIDE 24-HOUR CARE TO CHILDREN AND HELP BIRTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN WORK TOWARDS FAMILY REUNIFICATION. SAMARITAS STAFF PROVIDESUPPORT, AND THE LOCAL FAMILY COURT REVIEWS PROGRESS REGULARLY. OUR EXPERIENCED STAFF ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR DESIRE TO HELP FOSTER FAMILIES CREATE A BETTER LIFE FOR THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE. (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAM DETAILS)IN 2024, SAMARITAS SERVED 2,067 DOMESTIC YOUTH IN OUR FOSTER CARE PROGRAM. 83% OF OUR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE HAD 2 OR FEWER PLACEMENTS IN FOSTER HOMES. IN ADDITION TO DOMESTIC FOSTER CARE, THROUGH SAMARITAS' FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAMS, WE SEEK TO GUIDE PARENTS TOWARD CREATING A SATISFYING, NURTURING HOME LIFE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO KEEP CHILDREN IN THEIR NATURAL SETTING WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS. SAMARITAS PROVIDES A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES THROUGH OUR FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAMS. FOCUSED ON THE STRENGTHS OF THE FAMILY, WE GUIDE FAMILIES TOWARD KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN THEIR OWN HOME. 547 FAMILIES WERE SERVED BY THESE PROGRAMS IN 2024, OF WHICH 98% OF CHILDREN REMAINED IN THEIR HOME OR A RELATIVE PLACEMENT FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AFTER THE INTERVENTION. THROUGH SAMARITAS' ADOPTION PROGRAM, LUTHERAN ADOPTION SERVICES (LAS), WE HELP CHILDREN FIND A "LIFELONG LOVING FAMILY." EVERY CHILD NEEDS LOVE, SHELTER AND GUIDANCE. THESE MOST BASIC OF PROVISIONS ARE MISSING FOR SOME CHILDREN, AND THE OLDER THE CHILD, THE DIRER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY COME FROM AN ABUSIVE OR NEGLECTFUL SITUATION. IN 2024, LAS FACILITATED ADOPTIONS FOR 196 YOUTH.
- $21.3 million spent. SAMARITAS' NEW AMERICAN SERVICES HELP NEWLY ARRIVED REFUGEES NAVIGATE THEIR CONFUSING AND SOMETIMES SCARY FIRST MONTHS IN THE UNITED STATES. AS THE LARGEST REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT AGENCY IN THE STATE AND FOURTH LARGEST IN THE NATION, SAMARITAS HAS RESETTLED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM DOZENS OF COUNTRIES IN EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, THE MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. SAMARITAS HAS BEEN THE MICHIGAN AFFILIATE OF LUTHERAN IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE SERVICE (LIRS) SINCE THE 1950S. WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE'S RECEPTION AND PLACEMENT (R&P) PROGRAM, SAMARITAS PROVIDES NEWLY ARRIVED REFUGEES WITH THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BEGIN TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND TAKE STEPS TOWARD BECOMING U.S. CITIZENS. (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL PROGRAM DETAILS)SAMARITAS PROVIDES EACH REFUGEE WITH THE SUPPORT TO OBTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND BECOME CONTRIBUTORS TO SOCIETY WITHIN ONE YEAR OF ARRIVAL. OUR NEW AMERICAN PROGRAM SERVICES PROVIDE SPONSORSHIP OF REFUGEES AND ASSISTANCE WITH RESETTLEMENT AND JOB PLACEMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH LIRS. RESETTLEMENT SERVICES PROVIDE CORE SERVICES SUCH AS RECEPTION, HOUSING PLACEMENT, CULTURAL ORIENTATION, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE, MEDICAL CASE MANAGEMENT, AND SCHOOL ENROLLMENT. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR 90 DAYS. AFTER RESETTLEMENT, THE FOCUS IS TO ACHIEVE SELFSUFFICIENCY AT 180 DAYS WITH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DESIGNED TO HELP NEWLY ARRIVED REFUGEES FIND THEIR FIRST JOB AND RETAIN IT, THROUGH THE FEDERAL MATCH GRANT PROGRAM. IN 2024, SAMARITAS SETTLED 1032 REFUGEES AND SERVED A TOTAL OF 6,951 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH OUR NEW AMERICAN SERVICES. SAMARITAS' REFUGEE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM SERVES YOUTH WHO FLEE FROM WAR, VIOLENCE OR PERSECUTION IN DOZENS OF COUNTRIES. BY THE TIME THEY GET TO THE UNITED STATES, THEY'VE BEEN SEPARATED FROM AND OFTEN LOST CONTACT WITH PARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO CAN CARE FOR THEM AND HAVE OFTEN SUFFERED GREAT TRAUMAS AND THEY'RE NOT EVEN 18 YEARS OLD. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SERVICES FOR REFUGEE YOUTH. MOST YOUTH ARE PLACED IN LOCAL FOSTER HOMES TO PROVIDE THE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT THAT IS IDEAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. AS YOUTH MATURE AND GAIN INDEPENDENCE, THEY OFTEN GRADUATE TO A "RENT-AROOM" HOME, PROVIDING LESS SUPERVISION AND MORE GENERAL GUIDANCE ABOUT HOW TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN. MANY YOUTH IN THE PROGRAM MAY BE MATCHED WITH A MENTOR, WHO WILL BE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL AND HELP THEM ADJUST TO THE CUSTOMS AND CULTURE OF THE UNITED STATES. MANY YOUTH ALSO HAVE A TUTOR WHO HELPS THEM LEARN IN A NEW EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND DEVELOP POSITIVE STUDY HABITS. IN 2024, SAMARITAS SERVED 318 INDIVIDUALS IN REFUGEE AND FOSTER AND TRANSITIONAL FOSTER CARE.
- $629,743 spent. THE SAMARITAS FAMILY CENTER WESTLAND PROVIDES SHELTER SERVICES FOR FAMILIES, THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP OF SAMARITAS AND WAYNE COUNTY. WE WELCOME: TWO-PARENT FAMILIES, SINGLE MOTHERS OR FATHERS WITH CHILDREN, AND PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE HOMELESS IN WAYNE COUNTY. THE CENTER CAN SERVE UP TO 85 PERSONS IN 23 ROOMS AT ONE TIME AND INCLUDES A FULL-TIME CHILDCARE CENTER. THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP) PROVIDES COMMODITY FOODS TO ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS IN WESTERN WAYNE COUNTY AND IN THE DOWNRIVER AREAS. THE FAMILY CENTER ISFOCUSED ON HELPING FAMILIES ENGAGE IN THE MANY SERVICES OFFERED IN ORDER TO LEAVE THE CENTER WITH A PERMANENT HOUSING OPTION. IN 2024, THE FAMILY CENTER PROVIDED 52 FAMILIES WITH TEMPORARY HOUSING. IN 2024, WE SERVED 66 INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL/INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES (DD/ID), INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM, DOWN SYNDROME, MENTAL ILLNESS AND OTHER DD/ID DIAGNOSES. THIS SUPPORT IS ACHIEVED BY PROVIDING A LICENSED HOME AND CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS OR BY PROVIDING COMMUNITY LIVING SUPPORT SERVICES IN A PERSON'S OWN HOME. WE HAVE MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE WHERE WE ARE ABLE TO ARRANGE THESE SERVICES AND SUPPORTS. WE ALSO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS IN MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE WITHIN THEIR OWN HOMES. BY WORKING WITH CLIENTS ON ADAILY OR WEEKLY BASIS, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE FIRSTHAND WHEN THEY HAVE PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL/MENTAL DETERIORATION AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES SO INDEPENDENCE ISN'T THREATENED. WE ALSO WORK ON SKILL BUILDING WITH CLIENTS TO IMPROVE ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING, SOCIALIZATION, COMMUNICATION, AND COMMUNITY SKILLS. WE INTEGRATE OUR CLIENTS INTO LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO BE AMONG OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES OF THEIR CHOOSING. SAMARITAS PROVIDES SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (SUD) SERVICES TO THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH THE IMPACT OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL. OUR SUD TREATMENT MODEL INCLUDES: INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING, MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT, CASE MANAGEMENT AND RECOVERY COACHING FOR ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS. WE ARE, NOW MORE THAN EVER, COMMITTED TO COMBATING THIS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS. IN 2024, SAMARITAS SERVED 1,291 PERSONS IN THE PROGRAM. SAMARITAS' TRAUMA ASSESSMENT SERVICES SEEK TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF CHILDREN FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO TRAUMATIC EVENTS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY THERAPY SERVICES TO ALLEVIATE THE IMPACTS OF TRAUMA ON THE CHILD'S LIFE. IN 2024, SAMARITAS COMPLETED 417 TRAUMA ASSESSMENTS WITH 438 PERSONS.SAMARITAS MANAGES 15 AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITIES WHERE RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) BASED ON INCOME ELIGIBILITY. THIRTEEN OF THESE HOUSING COMMUNITIES SERVE SENIOR ADULTS LIVING INDEPENDENTLY, TWO SERVE FAMILIES, AND ONE SERVES PHYSICALLY DISABLED PERSONS CAPABLE OF LIVING INDEPENDENTLY WITH OR WITHOUT A LIVE-IN AIDE. FOR PEOPLE ON A FIXED INCOME, WITH LOW OR NO INCOME, SAMARITAS OFFERS AFFORDABLE LIVING IN MICHIGAN THANKS TO OUR HUD SUBSIDIZED COMMUNITIES. EACH COMMUNITY FEATURES ITS OWN UNIQUE BLEND OF RESIDENCES, AMENITIES, PROGRAMS AND HEALTHCARE SERVICES, SO OUR RESIDENTS FEEL LIKE THEY ARE A PART OF A TRUE COMMUNITY WITH FRIENDLY NEIGHBORS AND CARING STAFF THAT BECOME LIKE FAMILY. THERE IS NEVER A DULL MOMENT AT SAMARITAS AFFORDABLE LIVING BECAUSE RESIDENTS ENJOY AN ABUNDANCE OF ACTIVITIES THAT RANGE FROM FUN TO EDUCATIONAL AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. IN 2024, SAMARITAS SERVED 1,560 RESIDENTS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING APARTMENTS.
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
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? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for churches. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 December 2024.
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 November 1961.
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.