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Michigan State Bar Foundation

EIN 38-1459016 · Lansing, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MICHIGAN STATE BAR FOUNDATION PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND GRANTS TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR ALL TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR CIVIL LEGAL AID FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS, LAW-RELATED EDUCATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

Income
$25.6 million
Spending
$23.9 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 59%
Employees
0
Volunteers
38
Highest pay
$220,426, executive director, asst sec/treas

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 31% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 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 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 (8)
  1. $14.3 million spent. IOLTA - INTEREST ON CERTAIN LAWYERS' POOLED ACCOUNTS DESIGNATED FOR GRANTS REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS. 14,425 ATTORNEYS PARTICIPATED.
  2. $4.2 million spent. MSHDA - GRANTS AND RELATED EXPENSES REGARDING THE EVICTION DIVERSION PROGRAM.
  3. $2.1 million spent. ACCESS TO JUSTICE - GRANTS AND RELATED EXPENSES REGARDING CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS.
  4. $1.2 million spent. SPECIAL GRANTS TO CIVIL LEGAL AID PROGRAMS FOR SPECIFIC LEGAL NEEDS. REVENUE INCLUDED FUNDS FROM THE JUDICIARY, RELIEF FUNDS AWARDED IN CLASS ACTION CASES, AND MSBF GENERAL FUNDS.
  5. $975,000 spent. DHS SSI - CONTRACT REVENUES FROM THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ARE DISTRIBUTED TO LEGAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS IN APPLYING FOR SSI OR OTHER FEDERAL DISABILITY BENEFITS.
  6. $650,000 spent. LEGAL SELF-HELP - GRANTS AND RELATED EXPENSES REGARDING PROVISION OF LEGAL INFORMATION AND FORMS ONLINE, SUPPORT FOR AND OPERATION OF LEGAL SELF-HELP CENTERS, AND TRAINING RELATED TO LEGAL SELF-HELP.
  7. $90,761 spent. FELLOWS PROGRAM - A PROGRAM WHICH GENERATES UNRESTRICTED REVENUE FOR THE FOUNDATION'S PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES. 1,549 ATTORNEYS PARTICIPATED.
  8. $21,534 spent. FILING FEES - FUNDS EXPENDED TO PROVIDE GRANTS FOR CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS.

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 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 September 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 June 1957.

    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.