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Bethany Christian Services Inc

EIN 38-1405282 · Grand Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 17% of its spending went to programs.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 306 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES DEMONSTRATES THE LOVE AND COMPASSION OF JESUS CHRIST BY PROTECTING CHILDREN, EMPOWERING YOUTH, AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES THROUGH QUALITY SOCIAL SERVICES.

Income
$29.1 million
Spending
$34.4 million
Spent on programs
17%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 93%
Employees
199
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$396,533, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 38% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    17% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 306 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • 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

    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 September 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. $5.7 million spent. BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES HELPED REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT INDIVIDUALS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES ADJUST TO LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES THROUGH A VARIETY OF SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. OUR HEADQUARTERS OFFICE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO ALL BRANCHES WITH DIRECT FEDERAL GRANTS AIDING REFUGEES. (Expenses $ including grants of $)(Revenue $ 40,445)
  2. $75,009 spent. INFORMATION IN THIS RETURN IS DERIVED FROM THE RESULTS OF THE NATIONAL OFFICE OF BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES. THE NATIONAL OFFICE SERVES THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM SUPPORT NEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 85 SERVICE LOCATIONS IN 27 STATES. SERVICES PROVIDED FOR LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE US INCLUDE: ADMINISTRATION, HUMAN RESOURCES, FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, STAFF DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING, DONOR ENGAGEMENT, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE. REVENUE REPORTED HERE IS THE COST OF THE NATIONAL OFFICE SERVICES THAT ARE ALLOCATED TO EACH BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES BRANCH LOCATION. THE DIRECT SERVICE ACTIVITIES OF THE BRANCH OFFICES OF BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES ARE REPORTED ON A SEPARATELY FILED IRS GROUP FORM 990. ACTIVITIES OF THE BRANCHES CONSIST OF A WIDE VARIETY OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, FOSTER CARE, REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT SERVICES, DOMESTIC INFANT ADOPTION, INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION, OLDER CHILD ADOPTION, COUNSELING, FAMILY PRESERVATION, AND YOUTH SERVICES.
  3. $57,000 spent. THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A DONOR SUPPORTED ASSISTANCE FUND CALLED CARING CONNECTION, THE PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO MAKE GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE FAMILIES WHO ADOPT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL PLACEMENT NEEDS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS A COMMITTEE OF STAFF MEMBERS WHO REVIEW EACH APPLICATION FOR SUPPORT AND AWARD GRANTS BASED ON THE MERITS OF EACH APPLICATION AND THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS AVAILABLE TO BE DISBURSED. NOT ALL FAMILIES WHO APPLY RECEIVE ASSISTANCE. THE COMMITTEE MEETS REGULARLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO REVIEW THE APPLICANTS ADOPTION STORY AND THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD THEY ARE ADOPTING. (Expenses $ including grants of $)(Revenue $ 40,445)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1987.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.