First Ward Community Service
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
At First Ward Community Service, we aim to enhance the lives of low to moderate income families and seniors. We address social and behavioral needs to improve their environment. Our activities include prevention education and recreational events for healthier living.
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 82%
- Employees
- 65
- Volunteers
- 17
- Highest pay
- $48,977, executive director
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.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% 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
Good: 75 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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 (3)
- $478,772 spent. First Wards Basic Subsistence Programs provide critical support to individuals and families by addressing essential daily needs. Through our educational health and nutrition classes, we served more than 10,000 hot, nutritious meals in our community soup kitchen, senior center, and Kids Caf. We also operate as a food distribution site in partnership with local food banks, ensuring consistent access to surplus groceries for low-income households. Additionally, our emergency assistance program helps families maintain housing stability by providing short-term financial support for utilities, rent, and mortgage payments.
- $393,830 spent. First Wards Substance Abuse Prevention Program empowers youth to make informed, healthy lifestyle choices through education, mentoring, and community engagement. Approximately 80% of participants maintain a zero-tolerance commitment toward alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Program activities help youth understand the effects of substance use on physical health, academic success, family stability, and social behavior, while also emphasizing the legal and personal consequences of substance abuse.
- $107,539 spent. First Wards Health and Family Support Programs strengthen the well-being of individuals and families through wellness education, preventive services, and community-based support. The Health Program promotes healthy living through classes on nutrition, fitness, and disease prevention, helping residents improve their physical and emotional health. The Family Support Program provides resources to strengthen family stability, including life skills training, parenting support, and assistance connecting to community services. Together, these programs empower participants to build healthier lifestyles and stronger family foundations across Saginaw County.
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? 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.
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 December 1946.
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.