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The Arc of Calhoun County

EIN 38-1734960 · Battle Creek, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong97 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ARC OF CALHOUN COUNTY'S MISSION IS TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PROGRAMMING, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$534,170
Spending
$525,817
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
26.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
10
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$106,484, executive di

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

Strong: 97 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $267,200 spent. SKILL BUILDING THE ARC PROVIDES ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP, ENHANCE, AND EXHIBIT ADAPTIVE SKILLS IN A COMMUNITY SETTINGS ALONGSIDE PEOPLE WITHOUT DISABILITIES. THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT CAN INCLUDE SOCIALIZATION, ADAPTABILITY, SELF- DISCIPLINE, INDEPENDENCE, SELF-CONFIDENCE, SENSE OF BELONGING, SELF- ADVOCACY, PERSONAL SAFETY, RESOURCE ALLOCATION, TIME MANAGEMENT, PROFESSIONALISM, PROBLEM SOLVING, LEADERSHIP, AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT. THE ARC ALSO OFFERS CLASSES TO YOUTH ON WORKPLACE READINESS, SELF-ADVOCACY, INDEPENDENT LIVING, POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND JOB EXPLORATION. THE SKILL BUILDING PROGRAM PROVIDED 31 ADULTS WITH OVER 6,900 SERVICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY. SKILL BUILDING THE ARC PROVIDES ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP, ENHANCE, AND EXHIBIT ADAPTIVE SKILLS IN A COMMUNITY SETTINGS ALONGSIDE PEOPLE WITHOUT DISABILITIES. THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT CAN INCLUDE SOCIALIZATION, ADAPTABILITY, SELF- DISCIPLINE, INDEPENDENCE, SELF-CONFIDENCE, SENSE OF BELONGING, SELF- ADVOCACY, PERSONAL SAFETY, RESOURCE ALLOCATION, TIME MANAGEMENT, PROFESSIONALISM, PROBLEM SOLVING, LEADERSHIP, AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT. THE ARC ALSO OFFERS CLASSES TO YOUTH ON WORKPLACE READINESS, SELF-ADVOCACY, INDEPENDENT LIVING, POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND JOB EXPLORATION. THE SKILL BUILDING PROGRAM PROVIDED 31 ADULTS WITH OVER 6,900 SERVICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY.
  2. $95,374 spent. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES THE ARC'S EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM HELPS ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT. IN PREPARATION FOR WORK, SERVICES INCLUDE: IDENTIFYING JOB INTERESTS, TRAINING IN EMPLOYMENT SKILLS, RESUME WRITING, JOB INTERVIEW PREPARATION, NETWORKING WITH EMPLOYERS, AND MOCK INTERVIEWING. ONCE HIRED, WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH ACCLIMATION TO THE WORK SETTING, SETTING UP NEEDED SUPPORTS (SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION), HELPING EMPLOYERS IMPLEMENT ACCOMMODATIONS, AND JOB COACHING. WE FADE OUR JOB COACHING, BUT PROVIDE LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP SHOULD THE EMPLOYER OR EMPLOYEE NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP. THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDED 22 ADULTS WITH OVER 1,100 SERVICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES THE ARC'S EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM HELPS ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT. IN PREPARATION FOR WORK, SERVICES INCLUDE: IDENTIFYING JOB INTERESTS, TRAINING IN EMPLOYMENT SKILLS, RESUME WRITING, JOB INTERVIEW PREPARATION, NETWORKING WITH EMPLOYERS, AND MOCK INTERVIEWING. ONCE HIRED, WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH ACCLIMATION TO THE WORK SETTING, SETTING UP NEEDED SUPPORTS (SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION), HELPING EMPLOYERS IMPLEMENT ACCOMMODATIONS, AND JOB COACHING. WE FADE OUR JOB COACHING, BUT PROVIDE LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP SHOULD THE EMPLOYER OR EMPLOYEE NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP. THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM PROVIDED 22 ADULTS WITH OVER 1,100 SERVICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $13,173 spent. ADVOCACY THE ARC ADVOCATES FOR THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ALL PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS. THE ARC ALSO OFFERS SEVERAL OPTIONS AND RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BUSINESSES, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP EDUCATE AND INFORM, FOR BOTH AWARENESS AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES, REGARDING ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP, FUTURE PLANNING, PERSON CENTERED PLANNING, AND MANY OTHER RELATED ISSUES. THE ARC SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES.
  4. $68,979 spent. EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY THE ARC ASSISTS FAMILIES IN GUIDING AND SUPPORTING THEM THROUGH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN EDUCATION STAFF AND FAMILIES. THE ARC EDUCATES ON THE PROPER PROCESSES TO AVOID BREAKDOWNS IN COMMUNICATION AND TO ENSURE THAT THE CHILD'S NEEDS. THE ARC REVIEWS DOCUMENTS, CONSULTS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND SCHOOL STAFF, AND ATTENDS MEETINGS WITH PARENTS/GUARDIANS. THEIRLOOMS THE ARC MAINTAINS A STOREFRONT WITH DONATED ITEMS. SALES SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE ARC.
  5. EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY THE ARC ASSISTS FAMILIES IN GUIDING AND SUPPORTING THEM THROUGH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN EDUCATION STAFF AND FAMILIES. THE ARC EDUCATES ON THE PROPER PROCESSES TO AVOID BREAKDOWNS IN COMMUNICATION AND TO ENSURE THAT THE CHILD'S NEEDS. THE ARC REVIEWS DOCUMENTS, CONSULTS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND SCHOOL STAFF, AND ATTENDS MEETINGS WITH PARENTS/GUARDIANS. THEIRLOOMS THE ARC MAINTAINS A STOREFRONT WITH DONATED ITEMS. SALES SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE ARC.

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 November 6, 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 September 1956.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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