Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Life Challenge of Southeastern Michigan

EIN 38-1797940 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LIFE CHALLENGE OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN PROVIDES UP TO A ONE YEAR RESIDENTIAL CHRISTIAN GROWTH PROGRAM FOR MEN AND WOMEN WITH LIFE CONTROLLING PROBLEMS.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
21
Highest pay
$134,920, 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 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 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 (2)
  1. $1.0 million spent. LIFE CHALLENGE MINISTERS TO PERSONS SEEKING FREEDOM FROM LIFE CONTROLLING PROBLEMS AND OTHER DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS. DURING 2024, WE CONTINUED TO OFFER OUR 90 DAY AND YEAR-LONG RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR MEN. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE EDUCATION AND GED PREPARATION IF APPLICABLE, AS WELL AS BIBLE STUDY FOR APPLICATION TO DAILY LIVING. OTHER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND WORK PROJECTS SERVE TO FOSTER DISCIPLINE AND ACHIEVEMENT. FOLLOW-UP IS PROVIDED TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT PROGRAM GRADUATES IN THEIR RECOVERY AND ACCEPTANCE INTO SOCIETY. PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE OFTEN BEEN CIRCUMVENTED BY TRADITIONAL RELIGION ARE PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND NEW FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. LIFE CHALLENGE APPLIED FOR CERTIFICATION BY THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES (CARF), AND WE RECEIVED OUR CERTIFICATION IN EARLY 2025. CARF IS AN INTERNATIONAL, INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT ACCREDITOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. CARF'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE QUALITY AND VALUE OF SERVICES TOWARD THE ENHANCING OF HUMAN LIVES AND OPTIMAL OUTCOMES. TO BE CARF CERTIFIED IS THE GOLD STANDARD IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WITH OVER TWO THOUSAND COMPLIANCE MANDATES (CLIENT CARE, STAFF TRAINING, FINANCIAL EXCELLENCE, LEADERSHIP INTEGRITY, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, ETC.) WE RECEIVED THE HALLMARK HONOR, THE THREE YEAR CERTIFICATE. LIFE CHALLENGE MINISTERS TO PERSONS SEEKING FREEDOM FROM LIFE CONTROLLING PROBLEMS AND OTHER DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIORS. DURING 2024, WE CONTINUED TO OFFER OUR 90 DAY AND YEAR-LONG RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR MEN. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE EDUCATION AND GED PREPARATION IF APPLICABLE, AS WELL AS BIBLE STUDY FOR APPLICATION TO DAILY LIVING. OTHER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND WORK PROJECTS SERVE TO FOSTER DISCIPLINE AND ACHIEVEMENT. FOLLOW-UP IS PROVIDED TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT PROGRAM GRADUATES IN THEIR RECOVERY AND ACCEPTANCE INTO SOCIETY. PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE OFTEN BEEN CIRCUMVENTED BY TRADITIONAL RELIGION ARE PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND NEW FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. LIFE CHALLENGE APPLIED FOR CERTIFICATION BY THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES (CARF), AND WE RECEIVED OUR CERTIFICATION IN EARLY 2025. CARF IS AN INTERNATIONAL, INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT ACCREDITOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. CARF'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE QUALITY AND VALUE OF SERVICES TOWARD THE ENHANCING OF HUMAN LIVES AND OPTIMAL OUTCOMES. TO BE CARF CERTIFIED IS THE GOLD STANDARD IN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. WITH OVER TWO THOUSAND COMPLIANCE MANDATES (CLIENT CARE, STAFF TRAINING, FINANCIAL EXCELLENCE, LEADERSHIP INTEGRITY, FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, ETC.) WE RECEIVED THE HALLMARK HONOR, THE THREE YEAR CERTIFICATE.
  2. $170,336 spent. THE LIFE CHALLENGE OUT-PATIENT SERVICES SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER PROGRAM IS LICENSED WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. THE PROGRAM OFFERS INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING, INCLUDING INTAKE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT PLANS. WE ARE HIPPA COMPLIANT AND WORK WITH LICENSED COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS. MANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE LIFE CHALLENGE PROGRAMS WERE SERVED BY OUR COUNSELING DEPARTMENT DURING 2024.

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 2024.

    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 February 2004.

    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.