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Michigan Architectural Foundation

EIN 38-1698501 · Livonia, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE MICHIGAN ARCHITECTURAL FOUNDATION IS TO ADVANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF HOW ARCHITECTURE ENRICHES LIFE IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. IT IS ACHIEVED IN THREE WAYS: 1)EDUCATING A FUTURE GENERATION OF ARCHITECTURE ADVOCATES. 2)FUNDING PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITIES. 3)CONNECTING PEOPLE TO RESOURCES AND EDUCATION ABOUT ARCHITECTURE. THIS IS DONE THROUGH GRANTS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS, PUBLICATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS AND CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS.

Income
$674,296
Spending
$186,170
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 51%
Employees
0
Volunteers
23

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 72% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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

    0 of 10

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $45,950 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS THE ORGANIZATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO COLLEGE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN AN ACCREDITED ARCHITECTURAL CURRICULUM WHO DEMONSTRATE LEADERSHIP IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE.
  2. $36,500 spent. PUBLIC AWARENESS GRANTS TO MICHIGAN CHAPTERS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS AND OTHER COMMUNITY NON-PROFITS TO ASSIST IN JOINT SPONSORSHIPS OF EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INTERACTION AND BUILD TIES BETWEEN ARCHITECTS AND THE PUBLIC. GRANT PROPOSALS ARE SUBMITTED BY INTERESTED CHAPTERS, COMMUNITY NON-PROFITS, AND REVIEWED BY THE MAF BOARD OF DIRECTORS. APPROVAL IS GIVEN TO THOSE PROJECTS THAT MEET THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAM.
  3. $26,558 spent. ARCHITECTURAL RESTORATIONS THE EVANS/GRAHAM MEMORIAL PRESERVATION PROGRAM AWARDS GRANTS TO PROMOTE HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN MICHIGAN. PROJECTS ARE SELECTED AND APPROVED BY A JURY OF PRESERVATION ARCHITECTS AND ADVOCATES.

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 June 1959.

    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.