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Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit

EIN 38-1387123 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A WORLD-CLASS EXPERIENCE, EMPOWERING YOUTH TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS CHANGE AGENTS FOR THEIR LIVES, CLUB, AND COMMUNITY WHILE ENSURING YOUTH ARE CAREER-READY, STARTUP-READY, AND HOMEOWNER-READY BEFORE THEY LEAVE THE CLUBS AT 18 YEARS OLD.

Income
$21.2 million
Spending
$13.5 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
-2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
154
Volunteers
322
Highest pay
$648,868, president and ceo

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 110% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 28% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 (4)
  1. $3.1 million spent. THE 3-C SPORTS PILLAR ENGAGES YOUTH IN ATHLETIC EXPERIENCES GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY, CULTURE, AND COMPETITION. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES SPORTS SAMPLING, WHICH INTRODUCES YOUTH TO A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES; RECREATIONAL LEAGUES THAT PROVIDE LOW-BARRIER OPPORTUNITIES FOR FITNESS, TEAMWORK, AND SOCIAL CONNECTION; AND COMPETITIVE LEAGUES THAT BUILD ADVANCED SKILLS, DISCIPLINE, AND LEADERSHIP. ADDITIONAL OFFERINGS INCLUDE SPORTS TRAINING, OFFICIATING DEVELOPMENT, AND EXPOSURE TO CAREERS IN COACHING, ATHLETIC TRAINING, AND SPORTS MEDIA. THIS PILLAR PROMOTES PHYSICAL WELLNESS, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND SUSTAINED ENGAGEMENT IN SPORTS.
  2. $2.6 million spent. BGCSM'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PILLAR PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE, YOUTH-CENTERED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACROSS ALL CLUB LOCATIONS. SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPY, FAMILY CONSULTATIONS, BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENTS, AND SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY, DELIVERED BY LICENSED CLINICIANS AND SUPERVISED GRADUATE STUDENTS. YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS FOCUSED ON EMOTIONAL REGULATION, STRESS MANAGEMENT, AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, WHILE STAFF ARE TRAINED IN TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICES TO ENSURE SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS. THE PILLAR ALSO OFFERS CASE MANAGEMENT AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, EQUIPPING YOUTH AND FAMILIES WITH TOOLS TO BUILD RESILIENCE AND OVERALL WELL-BEING.
  3. $3.1 million spent. THE TALENT & INNOVATION PILLAR PREPARES YOUTH FOR LIFE AND WORKFORCE SUCCESS THROUGH BGCSM'S 3-E'S FRAMEWORK: EXPOSURE, EXPLORATION, AND EXPERIENCE. YOUTH ARE INTRODUCED TO DIVERSE CAREER PATHWAYS THROUGH FIELD TRIPS, GUEST SPEAKERS, AND WORKSHOPS; ENGAGE IN HANDS-ON, PROJECT-BASED LEARNING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT; AND PARTICIPATE IN PAID WORK-BASED LEARNING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCES THROUGH INDUSTRY CLUBS. PROGRAMMING EMPHASIZES STEAM, SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AND MENTORSHIP, EQUIPPING YOUTH WITH TECHNICAL SKILLS, CONFIDENCE, AND CLEAR PATHWAYS TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND CAREERS. THIS PILLAR FOSTERS SELF-EFFICACY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY BY TRANSFORMING INTERESTS INTO TANGIBLE OPPORTUNITIES.
  4. $1.5 million spent. THE EDUTAINMENT PILLAR INTEGRATES EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT BY CREATING DYNAMIC, YOUTH-CENTERED ENVIRONMENTS THAT BLEND LEARNING WITH CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND ENTERTAINMENT. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS, MEDIA AND ARTS EXPERIENCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS AND VOICE. CLUB SPACES ARE INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO REFLECT YOUTH INTERESTS AND FOSTER COLLABORATION, MAKING LEARNING RELEVANT AND ENGAGING. THIS APPROACH INCREASES PARTICIPATION, STRENGTHENS CONNECTION TO THE CLUB, AND ENHANCES SKILL DEVELOPMENT ACROSS ACADEMIC, SOCIAL, AND CREATIVE AREAS.

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 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 April 1940.

    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.