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Common Ground

EIN 38-1997712 · Bingham Farms, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WITH THE MISSION OF "HELPING PEOPLE MOVE FROM CRISIS TO HOPE," COMMON GROUND IS DEDICATED TO HELPING YOUTHS, ADULTS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IN THREE DISTINCT IMPACT AREAS: RESPONDING TO CRISIS; PROVIDING SAFETY AND ADVOCACY; AND BUILDING COMMUNITIES OF SUPPORT WHERE NONE EXIST.

Income
$31.5 million
Spending
$30.7 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
502
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$308,726, chief medical officer

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 64% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • 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 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 (3)
  1. $22.9 million spent. RESPONDING TO CRISIS - THE AGENCY PROVIDES 24-HOUR CRISIS INTERVENTION AND EMERGENCY PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES: CRISIS ASSESSMENT TEAM; OAKLAND ASSESSMENT & CRISIS INTERVENTION SERVICE; RESOURCE AND CRISIS HUB; GENESEE MOBILE CRISIS SERVICE FOR GENESEE COUNTY; OAKLAND MOBILE CRISIS SERVICE FOR OAKLAND COUNTY; CRISIS INTERVENTION & RECOVERY TEAM FOR OAKLAND COUNTY; KEVIN'S LAW FOR OAKLAND COUNTY; MICHIGAN CRISIS AND ACCESS LINE - 988: SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE, PEER WARMLINE, FRONTLINE STRONG; AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH URGENT CARE.
  2. $3.2 million spent. PROVIDING SAFETY AND ADVOCACY - THE AGENCY PROVIDES SHELTER AND SUPPORT FOR ADULTS AND VICTIMS OF CRIME. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES: VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM; CRISIS RESIDENTIAL UNIT; AND SOBER SUPPORT UNIT.
  3. $1.3 million spent. BUILDING COMMUNITIES OF SUPPORT - THIS INCLUDES EFFORTS RELATED TO THE EDUCATION OF THE COMMUNITY ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES: SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS; SURVIVORS OF HOMICIDE LOSS; ALL FOR OXFORD RESILIENCY CENTER; UNITED RESILIENCY; AND ROCHESTER HILLS RESILIENCY CENTER.

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 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 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 June 1973.

    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.