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Living in Christ Ministries

EIN 38-1884420 · Battle Creek, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE CONNECT CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO LOVING FAMILIES, FAMILIES TO SECURE FUTURES, INDIVIDUALS TO CARING COMMUNITY, AND COMMUNITY TO PERSONAL FAITH.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
24
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$78,202, past exec di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 June 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. YOUTH GUIDANCE FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION IS DEDICATED TO THE NEEDS OF MICHIGAN'S FOSTER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. ESTABLISHED IN 1982, WE PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO BIRTH PARENTS, FOSTER PARENTS, AND ADOPTIVE FAMILIES. OUR PROGRAM STAFF ARE FULLY LICENSED BY THE STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
  2. $200,628 spent. SECOND WIND MENTORS PROGRAM HELPS MEN AND WOMEN RE-ENTER SOCIETY AFTER SERVING TIME IN JAIL OR PRISON. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH MICHIGAN'S COUNTY PAROLE AND PROBATION OFFICES. OUR TEMP AGENCY, SECOND WIND HR, HELPS MENTEES FIND JOB PLACEMENTS SO THAT THEY CAN BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. OUR PROGRAM INCORPORATES LIFE SKILLS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASSES AND SUPPORT GROUPS.
  3. $200,383 spent. CITYLINC'S STUFF-A-BUS SCHOOL SUPPLIES PROGRAMS PROVIDES EDUCATION RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. OUR RED WAGON COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROMOTES THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF AMERICA'S PROMISE, THAT CHILDREN DESERVE 1) CARING ADULTS, 2) SAFE PLACES, 3) HEALTHY START, 4) GOOD EDUCATION, AND 5) A CHANCE TO HELP OTHERS. YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS AND DISTRIBUTIONS HELP CHILDREN

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 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 January 2001.

    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.