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Passes our checks

Edward W Sparrow Hospital Association

EIN 38-1360584 · Lansing, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING QUALITY, COMPASSIONATE CARE TO EVERYONE, EVERY TIME.

Income
$1.3 billion
Spending
$1.4 billion
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
6,533
Volunteers
926
Highest pay
$1.6 million, treasurer

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: 53 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 51% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 15 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 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)
  1. $392.4 million spent. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH-SPARROW, HAS, SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1896, PROVIDED CARE TO PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE, CREED, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, HANDICAP, AGE, OR ABILITY TO PAY. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH- SPARROW LANSING IS A NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY-GOVERNED HOSPITAL AND THE FLAGSHIP OF UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH SYSTEM, A COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRATED HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM COMMITTED WITHIN ITS RESOURCES TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH STATUS OF ALL PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE MID-MICHIGAN REGION BY PROVIDING QUALITY, COMPASSIONATE CARE TO EVERYONE, CLOSE TO HOME. UM HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING IS A 770-BED, MAJOR TEACHING HOSPITAL (AFFILIATED WITH MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY'S COLLEGES OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE, HUMAN MEDICINE AND NURSING) AND THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE, ACUTE CARE CENTER IN MID-MICHIGAN. UM HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING IS THE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOR: - PEDIATRICS - CANCER CARE, INCLUDING RADIATION THERAPY - TRAUMA CARE - NEUROLOGICAL CARE - HIGH-RISK OBSTETRICS - NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE - BEHAVIORAL HEALTH - CARDIOVASCULAR SERVICES IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING TREATED OVER 31,000 INPATIENTS, PROVIDED SERVICES TO OVER 175,000 EMERGENCY MEDICINE PATIENTS, OVER 86,000 URGENT CARE AND WALK-IN CARE PATIENTS, AND CONDUCTED NEARLY 44,000 VIRTUAL AND ON-DEMAND VIDEO VISITS. TODAY'S UM HEALTH-SPARROW BLENDS THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE OF OVER 1,600 PHYSICIANS, NEARLY 9,000 CAREGIVERS AND ABOUT 1,000 VOLUNTEERS WITH THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY, SERVING AS A COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH SYSTEM FOR A CORE EIGHT- COUNTY POPULATION AND BEYOND. IN ADDITION, MORE PEOPLE CHOOSE UM HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING FOR THEIR MATERNITY NEEDS (OVER 3,230 DELIVERIES ANNUALLY), REHABILITATION AND EMERGENCY TREATMENT THAN ANY OTHER HOSPITAL IN MID-MICHIGAN. UM HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING MATERNITY CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY AS IT STRIVES TO IMPROVE MATERNAL MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY. THE HOSPITAL HAS ACHIEVED NATIONAL BENCHMARK AND AWARDS FOR THEIR QUALITY CARE PROGRAMS. AS MID-MICHIGAN'S ONLY BABY-FRIENDLY HOSPITAL, A GLOBAL PROGRAM RECOGNIZED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AND UNITED NATION'S CHILDREN'S FUND, ALL PATIENTS ARE SUPPORTED IN THEIR BREASTFEEDING OR BOTTLE-FEEDING DECISIONS. AN OUTPATIENT BREASTFEEDING CLINIC SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS AND INFANTS IS HELD TWICE A WEEK IN OUR PEDIATRICS SUBSPECIALTY CLINIC. WITH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, UM HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING HAS ALSO BEEN ABLE TO LAUNCH PROGRAMS LIKE FEEDING YOUR GROWING FAMILY, WHICH ADDRESSES FOOD INSECURITY AMONG PREGNANT MOTHERS BY OFFERING PRE/POST-NATAL NUTRITION COUNSELING, MONTHLY FOOD BOXES DELIVERED TO THEIR HOMES, A HEALTHY COOKING KITCHEN TOOLKIT AND CONNECTION TO ADDITIONAL SUPPORT RESOURCES. PARTNERSHIPS WITH NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS IN SUPPORT OF HEALTH EQUITY AND ACCESS TO CARE RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE HEALTHY CAPITAL COUNTIES COALITION, GREATER LANSING FOOD BANK, CAPITAL AREA HEALTH ALLIANCE, AND LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS. UM HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING IS DEDICATED TO ADDRESSING THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS FACING OUR COMMUNITY AND HAVE MADE SEVERAL CHANGES IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TO TREAT THOSE IN CRISIS. PATIENTS ARE QUICKLY TRANSFERRED TO A SAFE AND THERAPEUTIC ENVIRONMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT AND RECEIVE CARE FROM SPECIALLY TRAINED PSYCHIATRIC NURSES AND OTHER EXPERTS. THEY ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE A PSYCHIATRIC PROVIDER WELL BEFORE ENTERING OUR INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC UNIT. UM HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING WORKS WITH UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY TO PROVIDE AN EYE CLINIC WEEKLY IN OUR PEDIATRICS SUBSPECIALTY CLINIC. UM HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING ALSO PARTNERS WITH THE INGHAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND HEALTHY START TO PROVIDE A FREE MONTHLY CLASS FOR HEALTH DEPARTMENT PATIENTS, INCLUDING A TOUR OF LABOR AND DELIVERY, AND INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU COME TO THE HOSPITAL TO HAVE YOUR BABY. UM HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING ALSO RELIES ON THE EXPERTS FROM MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY TO TREAT OUR YOUNGEST PATIENTS IN THE C.S. MOTT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT UM HEALTH-SPARROW. THIS ALLOWS BROADENED PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY SERVICES FOR THE REGION AND HELP ENSURE FAMILIES STAY CLOSE TO HOME, INSTEAD OF TRAVELING GREAT DISTANCES TO SEEK CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH-SPARROW LANSING REACH EXTENDS FAR BEYOND THE ACUTE CARE SETTING OF THE HOSPITAL. THERE ARE MANY WAYS OUR STAFF PROACTIVELY SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE THE GREATEST NEED. BECAUSE OF UM HEALTH-SPARROW'S COMMITMENT, THE PEOPLE OF MID MICHIGAN HAVE ACCESS TO THE FULL RANGE OF COMPREHENSIVE ACUTE CARE SERVICES AND THE LATEST MEDICAL ADVANCES WITHOUT TRAVELING GREAT DISTANCES. THESE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL MID MICHIGAN RESIDENTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. PROVIDING ACCESS TO PRIMARY CARE UM HEALTH-SPARROW RECOGNIZES THAT IF WE ARE TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION OF BEING A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADER IN QUALITY AND THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE THE LEAD IN FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORMING HEALTH CARE IN MICHIGAN. TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF INCREASING PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASE AND AN AGING POPULATION, TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CARE AND THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE WHILE ALSO ENSURING GREATER AFFORDABILITY FOR PAYORS, UM HEALTH-SPARROW NEEDS TO IMPLEMENT PROFOUND CHANGES IN HOW CARE IS PROVIDED. UM HEALTH-SPARROW IS COMMITTED TO SEEKING NEW WAYS TO PARTNER WITH QUALITY CARE PROVIDERS TO CREATE GREATER ALIGNMENT AROUND IMPROVED QUALITY AND PATIENT EXPERIENCE, WORK JOINTLY TO DEVELOP CLINICAL GUIDELINES TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CARE FOR PATIENTS WHO NEED TO BE TRANSFERRED TO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CARE AND TO ENSURE THAT CARE IS ALWAYS DELIVERED IN THE BEST QUALITY AND MOST COST-ADVANTAGEOUS CLINICAL SETTING AS CLOSE TO THE PATIENT'S HOME AS POSSIBLE. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH- SPARROW INCLUDES COMMUNITY HOSPITALS: SPARROW CARSON HOSPITAL (UM HEALTH- SPARROW CARSON), SPARROW CLINTON HOSPITAL (UM HEALTH-SPAR
  2. $631.5 million spent. ANCILLARY SERVICES INCLUDING LABORATORY, RADIOLOGY, DIALYSIS, SOCIAL SERVICES AND CLINICS (SEE NARRATIVE FROM 4A FOR FURTHER EXPLANATION)
  3. $109.7 million spent. GENERAL SERVICES INCLUDING FOOD SERVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, LAUNDRY AND PLANT.

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

  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 June 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 July 1939.

    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.