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Michigan League for Public Policy

EIN 38-1360557 · Lansing, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LEAGUE USES DATA TO EDUCATE, ADVOCATE, AND FIGHT FOR POLICY SOLUTIONS THAT UNDO HISTORIC AND SYSTEMIC RACIAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUITIES TO LIFT UP MICHIGANDERS WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT OF PROSPERITY.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
9.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
25
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$200,381, secretary, president, and c.e.o.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 December 31, 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 (1)
  1. $3.0 million spent. PUBLIC POLICY - USING DATA-DRIVEN RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, THE LEAGUE VALUES OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF THE STATE'S RESIDENTS, WITH A FOCUS ON RACIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION. THE LEAGUE STRIVES TO DISMANTLE RACIST PUBLIC POLICIES THAT LIMIT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR. THE LEAGUE WORKS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ALL MICHIGANDERS THROUGH POLICY CHANGE, AND FOCUSES ON PROMOTING RELIABLE HEALTHCARE, HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION, STRONG JOBS AND TRAINING, SAFE ENVIRONMENTS, AND EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES.SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.THE LEAGUE'S ONGOING PROJECTS INCLUDE WORK DONE AS PART OF THE STATE PRIORITIES PARTNERSHIP AND THE KIDS COUNT PROJECT. THE LEAGUE ALSO WORKS WITH STATE POLICYMAKERS TO PLAN WAYS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR POPULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED, PARTICULARLY CHILDREN IN FAMILIES WITH LOW INCOMES, AS WELL AS BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 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 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.