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Guiding Harbor

EIN 38-1660780 · Belleville, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
62
Volunteers
41
Highest pay
$121,350, 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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, 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. $1.2 million spent. THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM PROVIDES TEMPORARY PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN UP TO 18 YEARS OF AGE IN LICENSED FOSTER HOMES. CHILDREN RECEIVE SERVICES TO MOVE THEM TOWARD FAMILY REUNIFICATION AND PERMANENCY.
  2. $780,673 spent. THE INSTITUTIONAL LOCH RIO PROGRAM PROVIDES THERAPEUTIC RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR ADOLESCENT FEMALES AGES 12-17. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, BEHAVIORAL AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH IN THE TREATMENT SETTING.
  3. $316,793 spent. GUIDING HARBORS SUPERVISED INDEPENDENT LIVING (SIL) PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST YOUNG ADULTS IN DEVELOPING INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, ENHANCING EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL AND CAREER CHOICES WHILE OFFERING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE SUPERVISED INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM OFFERS SERVICES TO YOUTH AGE 16 AND OLDER, WHO ARE PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY ABLE TO MASTER THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES OFFERED. THE CLIENTS REFERRED TO THIS PROGRAM MUST HAVE A DEMONSTRATED HISTORY OF FUNCTIONING AT A LEVEL APPROPRIATE FOR COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING.YOUTH ARE PLACED IN HOMES WITH HOME PROVIDERS OR IN INDEPENDENT HOUSING. YOUTH ARE EXPECTED TO BE SELF-MOTIVATED AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR LIFE CHOICES. A SIL PROVIDER IS EXPECTED TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THE YOUTH IN MEETING ALL GOALS SET BY THE CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN. THERE IS NO TRAINING REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM. SUPPORT TO THE SIL FAMILY IS PROVIDED BY A CASE MANAGER WHO WILL ALSO WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE YOUTH. GUIDING HARBORS SUPERVISED INDEPENDENT LIVING (SIL) PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST YOUNG ADULTS IN DEVELOPING INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, ENHANCING EDUCATIONAL/VOCATIONAL AND CAREER CHOICES WHILE OFFERING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE SUPERVISED INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM OFFERS SERVICES TO YOUTH AGE 16 AND OLDER, WHO ARE PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY ABLE TO MASTER THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES OFFERED. THE CLIENTS REFERRED TO THIS PROGRAM MUST HAVE A DEMONSTRATED HISTORY OF FUNCTIONING AT A LEVEL APPROPRIATE FOR COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING.YOUTH ARE PLACED IN HOMES WITH HOME PROVIDERS OR IN INDEPENDENT HOUSING. YOUTH ARE EXPECTED TO BE SELF-MOTIVATED AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR LIFE CHOICES. A SIL PROVIDER IS EXPECTED TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THE YOUTH IN MEETING ALL GOALS SET BY THE CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN. THERE IS NO TRAINING REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM. SUPPORT TO THE SIL FAMILY IS PROVIDED BY A CASE MANAGER WHO WILL ALSO WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE YOUTH.
  4. $124,705 spent. GUIDING HARBORS ADOPTION PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO FINDING PERMANENT HOMES FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE LEGALLY FREE FOR ADOPTION. THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS THE RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF ADOPTIVE HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. CHILDREN ENTER THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF NEGLECT, AND/OR PHYSICAL, SEXUAL, OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE. THEY BEAR THE SCARS OF THEIR NEGLECT, ABUSE AND FREQUENT MOVES AND MAY ACT OUT THEIR PAIN AND FEELINGS OF LOSS. IT IS OUR PHILOSOPHY THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO EMOTIONAL NURTURANCE, UNDERSTANDING, EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE, AND NECESSARY CARE IN A STABLE, WHOLESOME FAMILY ENVIRONMENT. THEY NEED FAMILIES WHO CAN PROVIDE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND THAT PERMANENT HOME.
  5. GUIDING HARBORS ADOPTION PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO FINDING PERMANENT HOMES FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE LEGALLY FREE FOR ADOPTION. THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS THE RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF ADOPTIVE HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. CHILDREN ENTER THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF NEGLECT, AND/OR PHYSICAL, SEXUAL, OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE. THEY BEAR THE SCARS OF THEIR NEGLECT, ABUSE AND FREQUENT MOVES AND MAY ACT OUT THEIR PAIN AND FEELINGS OF LOSS. IT IS OUR PHILOSOPHY THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO EMOTIONAL NURTURANCE, UNDERSTANDING, EDUCATIONAL GUIDANCE, AND NECESSARY CARE IN A STABLE, WHOLESOME FAMILY ENVIRONMENT. THEY NEED FAMILIES WHO CAN PROVIDE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND THAT PERMANENT HOME.

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 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 1964.

    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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