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Metropolitan Affairs Coalition

EIN 38-1602801 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WORK PROGRAM OF METROPOLITAN AFFAIRS COALITION ("MAC") PROMOTES REGIONAL COOPERATION AND DIALOGUE, AND WORKS TO ADVANCE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT RESPOND TO THE REGION'S CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES WITH EVERYONE AT THE TABLE. MAC'S MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS INCLUDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATION, AND GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY.MAC IS THE ONLY GROUP COMPRISED OF LEADERS IN BUSINESS, LABOR, GOVERNMENT, AND EDUCATION WHO WORK COOPERATIVELY TO ADDRESS REGIONAL ISSUES AND SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE. MAC WORKS CLOSELY WITH ITS PARTNER ORGANIZATION, THE SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ("SEMCOG"), AND BENEFITS FROM SEMCOG'S EXPERTISE, RESEARCH, DATA COLLECTION, AND ANALYSIS.

Income
$205,887
Spending
$601,179
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 192% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 71% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    47 of 47 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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. $371,246 spent. GROWING OUR RESILIENCE, EQUITY, AND ECONOMY WITH NATURE ("GREEN") - MAC AND SEMCOG CONTINUED IMPLEMENTATION OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN GREEN, A REGIONAL INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON EXPANDING AND ENHANCING THE REGION'S GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK THROUGH NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS THAT IMPROVE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT, WATER QUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY. BUILDING ON THE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR GREEN ADOPTED IN 2023, MAC COORDINATED REGIONAL PARTNERS TO ADVANCE POLICIES, PLANNING TOOLS, AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO ADDRESS INCREASING FLOODING, AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES ACROSS SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN'S WATERSHEDS. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.THIS WORK FOCUSED ON IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONSERVE AND RESTORE NATURAL LANDSCAPES, INCREASE URBAN TREE CANOPY, EXPAND GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE, PROTECT WETLANDS, AND IMPROVE PUBLIC ACCESS TO GREEN SPACES. MAC AND SEMCOG COORDINATED DATA COLLECTION, MAPPING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WHERE NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS CAN MOST EFFECTIVELY REDUCE STORMWATER RUNOFF AND IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES THROUGHOUT THE CLINTON, HURON, ROUGE, AND DOWNRIVER WATERSHEDS.AS PART OF THIS INITIATIVE, MAC AND SEMCOG CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL PLANNING RESOURCES, INCLUDING UPDATES TO THE GREEN DASHBOARD AND ANNUAL GREEN IMPLEMENTATION TRACKING. THESE TOOLS SUPPORT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WATERSHED ORGANIZATIONS, AND REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS IN IDENTIFYING PRIORITY PROJECTS, EVALUATING ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS, AND ALIGNING LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS WITH REGIONAL GOALS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. THIS WORK ALSO SERVES AS A FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN'S FORTHCOMING FLOODING AND RESILIENCE PLAN.SEMCOG AND MAC HAVE CONVENED AND SUPPORTED THE GREEN IMPLEMENTATION TEAM, BRINGING TOGETHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, COUNTY AGENCIES, WATERSHED COUNCILS, ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, STATE AGENCIES, AND OTHER REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS TO COORDINATE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES AND IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS. ONGOING COLLABORATION HELPED ALIGN LOCAL PLANS, PROJECTS, AND POLICIES WITH REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND RESILIENCY PLANNING.SEMCOG AND MAC ALSO PROVIDED RESEARCH, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND PLANNING SUPPORT TO ADVANCE REGIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE GOALS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDED ENVIRONMENTAL AND STORMWATER ANALYSIS, ECOSYSTEM SERVICE EVALUATIONS, MAPPING OF CONSERVATION PRIORITIES, AND DEVELOPMENT OF CONCEPT PLANS FOR LARGE-SCALE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WITHIN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN'S MAJOR WATERSHEDS.THIS WORK WILL LEAD TO EXPANDING SEMCOG'S REGIONAL PLANNING RESOURCES AND PROVIDE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS WITH TECHNICAL INFORMATION NEEDED TO SUPPORT DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING AND PURSUE IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. MAC AND SEMCOG WILL CONTINUE PROMOTING THESE RESOURCES THROUGH REGIONAL COORDINATION, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND ENGAGEMENT WITH MEMBERS AND PARTNERS TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN'S GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK AND GREAT LAKES WATER QUALITY.
  2. $50,793 spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - IMPLEMENTING SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN'S 2021 COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ("CEDS") AND BASELINE RESEARCH FOR THE 2025 CEDS, MAC AND SEMCOG COORDINATED THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN'S REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, INCREASING SHARED PROSPERITY FOR A RESILIENT ECONOMY, BASED ON THE THREE PILLARS OF TALENT, PLACE, AND BUSINESS. SINCE APPROVAL IN 2021, THE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SIX STRATEGIES, 22 POLICIES, AND 99 ACTIONS BY SEMCOG, MAC, AND OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAKEHOLDERS. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.IN 2023, SEMCOG WAS OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT ("EDD") FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN. EDD'S ARE FOCUSED ON DRIVING A REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING PROCESS THAT ENGAGES THE PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND NON-PROFIT SECTORS TO ESTABLISH A STRATEGIC BLUEPRINT. EDD'S PREPARE AND MAINTAIN A REGION'S CEDS, ASSIST WITH IMPLEMENTATION, AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS. AS A RESULT OF THIS DESIGNATION, MAC WILL PARTNER WITH SEMCOG IN EXPANDING ITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOCUS. THIS INCLUDED PREPARING A SEMCOG/MAC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE IN 2025.MAC IS ALSO SUPPORTING THE FOLLOWING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES:- CONTINUING "IMPLEMENTATION OF BROADBAND IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN: EXPANSION, ENGAGEMENT AND EQUITY", A REGIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR BROADBAND APPROVED BY SEMCOG AND MAC IN 2022, WHICH FOCUSES ON INCREASING AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS TO HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN BY CONNECTING WITH INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS, AS WELL AS STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS, ON POLICIES AND PRIORITIES, DEVELOPING RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITIES, AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP IMPROVE EXPANSION OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE INTERNET, AS WELL AS ADDRESSING DIGITAL LITERACY AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE- CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE MOBILITY INDUSTRY BY COLLABORATING WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES TO HELP CREATE THE NECESSARY WORKFORCE, TO EDUCATE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES FOR FLEETS, AND TO SUPPORT REGIONAL INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE DETROIT REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL EPICENTER OF MOBILITY INITIATIVE, WORKING WITH THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF FUTURE MOBILITY, MICHAUTO, AND POLICY MAKERS TO ALIGN EFFORTSMAC WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION AND EQUITY IN EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. THIS INCLUDES PROMOTING SUPPORT SERVICES TO HELP STUDENTS AND WORKERS OVERCOME BARRIERS, PREPARING THE WORKFORCE FOR THE CHANGING NATURE OF JOBS, AND SUPPORTING THE GOVERNOR'S 60/30 INITIATIVE, RESKILLING AND UPSKILLING WORKERS FOR HIGH-GROWTH OCCUPATIONS, INCREASING AWARENESS AND ACCESS TO TRAINING AND EDUCATION, AND PROMOTING INNOVATIVE HIRING PRACTICES. MAC WILL ALSO IMPLEMENT THE STRATEGIES IDENTIFIED BY THE HEALTHCARE TASK FORCE RELATED TO ADDRESSING CHALLENGES IN ATTRACTING, TRAINING, RECRUITING, AND RETAINING THE HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE THROUGH A CAREER PATHWAYS CAMPAIGN, ARTICLES, AND OTHER EFFORTS. THIS WILL HELP STABILIZE AND STRENGTHEN THE HEALTHCARE ECOSYSTEM AND INCREASE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND JOBS.
  3. $77,451 spent. IMPLEMENTING MAC'S 2025-2026 POLICY PLATFORM - THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVED THE 2025-2026 POLICY PLATFORM AT THE DECEMBER 2024 BOARD MEETING. IN 2025, THE FOCUS WAS ON IMPLEMENTATION. MIDWEST STRATEGIES PROVIDED QUARTERLY REPORTS ON STATE POLICY ISSUES, AND DYKEMA PROVIDED WRITTEN REPORTS ON FEDERAL POLICY UPDATES FOR THE BOARD. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.IN ADDITION, IN 2025, MAC HELD VIRTUAL LEGISLATIVE ROUNDTABLES TO DISCUSS PROGRESS ON KEY ISSUES IN THE PLATFORM. BOTH MIDWEST STRATEGIES AND DYKEMA PROVIDED UPDATES ON KEY ISSUES AND PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DISCUSSION AND QUESTIONS. AT THE OCTOBER 31, 2025 ROUNDTABLE, LEGISLATIVE STAFF FOR MAC MEMBERS WERE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THEIR ORGANIZATION'S KEY PRIORITIES. AMONG THE MOST COMMON ISSUES WERE ROAD FUNDING, MENTAL HEALTH, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND SCHOOL FUNDING. AT THE DECEMBER 2025 MEETING, MIKE SPENCE, MANAGER OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AT SEMCOG, FACILITATED A DISCUSSION ON THREE ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY MEMBERS: INFRASTRUCTURE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. BOARD MEMBERS COMMENTED ON INCENTIVES FOR MICHIGAN BUSINESSES, REFORMING THE SCHOOL AID FUND TO PROTECT SCHOOLS, TRANSIT APPROPRIATIONS, AND IDENTIFYING AND SUPPORTING ISSUES WHERE THERE IS CONSENSUS AMONG ALL THE MAC SECTORS. MAC WILL FOCUS ON MONITORING BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE POLICY AND LEGISLATION RELATED TO THESE ISSUES. DURING 2025, MAC SENT LETTERS TO A CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION OUTLINING MAC'S FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET PRIORITIES AND RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PROPOSED BUDGET. MAC ALSO SENT LETTERS ON THE FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION REAUTHORIZATION PRIORITIES AND SUPPORT FOR THE RENEWING OPPORTUNITY TO THE AMERICAN DREAM TO HOUSING ACT OF 2025. IN TERMS OF STATE ADVOCACY, MAC LAUNCHED A NEW LEGISLATIVE TRACKING DOCUMENT ON THE MAC WEBSITE TO MONITOR STATE BILLS.
  4. $14,767 spent. CELEBRATING REGIONAL LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE SHINING LIGHT AWARDS PROGRAM - MAC KICKED OFF THE 18TH SHINING LIGHT AWARDS WITH A RECEPTION HOSTED BY SACHSE CONSTRUCTION AT ITS DOWNTOWN DETROIT OFFICES ON MAY 6, 2025. THE RECEPTION WAS ATTENDED BY 39 PEOPLE, INCLUDING SEVERAL BOARD MEMBERS, LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, PARTNERS, AND A NUMBER OF PAST HONOREES.MAC ONCE AGAIN WORKED WITH THE DETROIT FREE PRESS ON THE NOMINATIONS PROCESS. THE SELECTION COMMITTEE, MADE UP OF A COMBINATION OF MAC BOARD MEMBERS AND FREE PRESS REPRESENTATIVES, SELECTED THE FOLLOWING HONOREES FROM THE MANY NOMINATIONS:- NEAL SHINE EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP (LIFETIME) AWARD: DR. CURTIS IVERY, CHANCELLOR, WAYNE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT- ELEANOR JOSAITIS UNSUNG HERO AWARD: LISA JOHANON, CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CENTRAL DETROIT CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION- DAVE BING YOUNG LEADER AWARD: JOHN PERKINS JR., BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVE, MICHIGAN REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS AND MILLWRIGHTSTHE AWARDS CEREMONY WAS HELD ON OCTOBER 7, 2025 AT FORD FIELD IN DETROIT, WITH MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. FOURTEEN SPONSORS, INCLUDING PRESENTING SPONSOR LABORERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA LOCAL 1191, CONTRIBUTED FINANCIALLY TO THE EVENT. MAC IS WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM HONOREES AND SPONSORS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL RECOGNITION DURING 2026 WITH A TOUR OF HONOREE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE WINTER AND INCREASED SOCIAL MEDIA RECOGNITION OF CURRENT AND PREVIOUS HONOREES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

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 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 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 October 1960.

    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.

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