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Good Will Farm Association

EIN 38-1368336 · Houghton, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT YOUTH AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE UPPER PENNINSULA OF MICHIGAN BY CREATING NEW LIFE CYCLES AND PATTERNS THAT INCLUDE HOPE, OPPORTUNITY, SUCCESS, HEALTH AND HAPPINESS THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
32.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 55%
Employees
56
Volunteers
314
Highest pay
$125,825, executive di

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (5)
  1. $791,099 spent. PLACEMENT SERVICES - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES RECRUITMENT, LICENSING, TRAINING AND SUPPORTING SERVICES TO FOSTER FAMILIES WITH THE GOAL TO PROVIDE STABLE AND LOVING CARE FOR CHILDREN WHO CANNOT REMAIN SAFELY IN THEIR OWN HOME UNTIL THEY CAN SAFELY REUNITE WITH THEIR FAMILIES, OR IN SOME CASES, A PERMANENT ADOPTIVE HOME IS FOUND.
  2. $306,538 spent. FAMILIES TOGETHER BUILDING SOLUTIONS - THIS PROGRAM IS A FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAM SEEKING TO SUPPORT THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF FAMILIES TO REDUCE VARIOUS RISKS WHILE BUILDING PROTECTIVE FACTORS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA. THESE FAMILIES, WHILE IN NEED OF LESS INTENSIVE SERVICES, ARE NOT THREATENED WITH THE RISK OF IMMINENT REMOVAL OF A CHILD FROM THEIR HOMES. HOWEVER, IF LEFT WITHOUT SERVICES OR ACCESS TO NECESSARY RESOURCES, THE FAMILY COULD REACH A POINT OF CRISIS SERIOUS ENOUGH TO THREATEN FAMILY STABILITY AND LEAD TO AN EVENTUAL REMOVAL. THE PROGRAM IS MODERATELY INTENSIVE WITH 3-HOUR WEEKLY HOME VISITS PROVIDED WITHIN 90-180 DAYS
  3. $303,753 spent. FAMILY ASSISTANCE - THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS GUIDANCE FOR THE PARENTS AND CHILDREN WITH THE GOAL TO INCREASE THE PARENTS CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCE IN THEIR PARENTING ABILITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY NURTURE THEIR CHILDREN AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A HEALTHY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT. IN ADDITION, AS NEEDED, SUPERVISED PARENTING TIME FOR PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN IS PROVIDED ALLOWING THE INTERACTION TO TAKE PLACE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WHILE PROMOTING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
  4. $822,644 spent. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS - THIS PROGRAM INSPIRES CHILDREN TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND BUILD BRIGHTER FUTURES BY PROVIDING STRONG AND ENDURING, PROFESSIONALLY-SUPPORTED, ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS. IT OPENS UP NEW PERSPECTIVES FOR CHILDREN BY OFFERING FRIENDSHIP, GUIDANCE AND OPPORTUNITIES WITH CARING VOLUNTEERS. EXPENSES: 240,248 FAMILIES UPWARD - THIS PROGRAM IS A PREVENTION/EARLY INTERVENTION APPROACH FOCUSING ON FAMILIES AT RISK OF OR EXPERIENCING TRAUMA, PARTICULARLY DUE TO TRANSGENERATIONAL CYCLES. THE ORGANIZATION ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO IDENTIFY, ADDRESS AND ELIMINATE NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS AND DISORDERS THAT ARE COMMONLY REPEATED THROUGHOUT A FAMILY LINE THROUGH EPIGENETICS. EXPENSES: 68,659 IN-HOME FAMILY SERVICES - THE INTENSIVE CASEWORK/FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM IS AN IN-HOME, FAMILY-FOCUSED SERVICE THAT GIVES THE FAMILY AN ALTERNATIVE TO OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT. EXPENSES: 222,295 PARENTING FOR SUCCESS - THIS PROGRAM IS A FAMILY-CENTERED INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO BUILD NURTURING PARENTING SKILLS. PARENT AND CHILD VISITS ARE SUPPORTED BY A VISITING COACH TRAINED IN THE BAVOLEK NURTURING PARENTING PROGRAM. PARENTING SUPPORT IS PROVIDED IN THE FAMILY HOME BEFORE THE CHILD VISIT, DURING THE VISIT, AND AFTER TO ENSURE THAT THE SKILL IS LEARNED AND UNDERSTOOD BY THE BIRTH PARENT. EXPENSES: 148,515 POST-ADOPTION RESOURCE CENTERS - THE ORGANIZATION CONNECTS ADOPTIVE FAMILIES TO THE SERVICES THAT CAN HELP ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL AND PERMANENT PLACEMENT FOR AN ADOPTED CHILD. THESE CENTERS PROVIDE RESOURCES, TRAINING, INTERVENTIONS, AND SUPPORT TO HELP FAMILIES STAY TOGETHER, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, AND MAKE CONNECTIONS THAT LAST A LIFETIME EXPENSES: 128,888 READ TO RIDE - THE HERMAN "WINKS" GUNDLACH READ TO RIDE PROGRAM IS AN ANNUAL SUMMER EVENT FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 TO 14 ENCOURAGING YOUTH TO READ DURING THE SUMMER. THROUGH A DRAWING, THE PROGRAM AWARDS 20 READERS WITH A NEW QUALITY MOUNTAIN BIKE AND HELMET. A READER GETS ONE CHANCE IN THE DRAWING TO WIN FOR EACH BOOK READ EXPENSES: 13,039 EXPENSES APPLICABLE TO ALL PROGRAMS: CONTRIBUTION TO DOMESTIC ORGANIZATION - 1,000
  5. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS - THIS PROGRAM INSPIRES CHILDREN TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AND BUILD BRIGHTER FUTURES BY PROVIDING STRONG AND ENDURING, PROFESSIONALLY-SUPPORTED, ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS. IT OPENS UP NEW PERSPECTIVES FOR CHILDREN BY OFFERING FRIENDSHIP, GUIDANCE AND OPPORTUNITIES WITH CARING VOLUNTEERS. EXPENSES: 240,248 FAMILIES UPWARD - THIS PROGRAM IS A PREVENTION/EARLY INTERVENTION APPROACH FOCUSING ON FAMILIES AT RISK OF OR EXPERIENCING TRAUMA, PARTICULARLY DUE TO TRANSGENERATIONAL CYCLES. THE ORGANIZATION ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO IDENTIFY, ADDRESS AND ELIMINATE NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS AND DISORDERS THAT ARE COMMONLY REPEATED THROUGHOUT A FAMILY LINE THROUGH EPIGENETICS. EXPENSES: 68,659 IN-HOME FAMILY SERVICES - THE INTENSIVE CASEWORK/FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM IS AN IN-HOME, FAMILY-FOCUSED SERVICE THAT GIVES THE FAMILY AN ALTERNATIVE TO OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT. EXPENSES: 222,295 PARENTING FOR SUCCESS - THIS PROGRAM IS A FAMILY-CENTERED INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO BUILD NURTURING PARENTING SKILLS. PARENT AND CHILD VISITS ARE SUPPORTED BY A VISITING COACH TRAINED IN THE BAVOLEK NURTURING PARENTING PROGRAM. PARENTING SUPPORT IS PROVIDED IN THE FAMILY HOME BEFORE THE CHILD VISIT, DURING THE VISIT, AND AFTER TO ENSURE THAT THE SKILL IS LEARNED AND UNDERSTOOD BY THE BIRTH PARENT. EXPENSES: 148,515 POST-ADOPTION RESOURCE CENTERS - THE ORGANIZATION CONNECTS ADOPTIVE FAMILIES TO THE SERVICES THAT CAN HELP ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL AND PERMANENT PLACEMENT FOR AN ADOPTED CHILD. THESE CENTERS PROVIDE RESOURCES, TRAINING, INTERVENTIONS, AND SUPPORT TO HELP FAMILIES STAY TOGETHER, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS, AND MAKE CONNECTIONS THAT LAST A LIFETIME EXPENSES: 128,888 READ TO RIDE - THE HERMAN "WINKS" GUNDLACH READ TO RIDE PROGRAM IS AN ANNUAL SUMMER EVENT FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 TO 14 ENCOURAGING YOUTH TO READ DURING THE SUMMER. THROUGH A DRAWING, THE PROGRAM AWARDS 20 READERS WITH A NEW QUALITY MOUNTAIN BIKE AND HELMET. A READER GETS ONE CHANCE IN THE DRAWING TO WIN FOR EACH BOOK READ EXPENSES: 13,039 EXPENSES APPLICABLE TO ALL PROGRAMS: CONTRIBUTION TO DOMESTIC ORGANIZATION - 1,000

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 June 1938.

    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.