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Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency Inc

EIN 38-2027389 · Traverse City, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO FOSTER POSITIVE CHANGE BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY, IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND BUILDING STRONGER, MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITITES. NORTHWEST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, INC. FULFILLS THIS MISSION BY DEVELOPING AND PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN ANTRIM, BENZIE, CHARLEVOIX, EMMET, GRAND TRAVERSE, KALKASKA, LEELANAU, MISSAUKEE, ROSCOMMON, AND WEXFORD COUNTIES IN MICHIGAN.

Income
$27.5 million
Spending
$27.4 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
409
Volunteers
2,198
Highest pay
$112,321, executive director

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: 68 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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 (6)
  1. $14.0 million spent. CHILD EDUCATION -PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN AGES 0 TO GRADE 5 AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH EDUCATION, HEALTH, NUTRITION, AND PARENT INVOLVEMENT. TOTAL CHILDREN RECEIVING SERVICES IS 1,269.
  2. $4.8 million spent. HOUSING PROGRAM - PROGRAMS INCLUDE HOME REPAIR FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOMEOWNERS, GUIDANCE AND ONE TIME CASH ASSISTANCE TO RENTERS FACING EVICTION, EMERGENCY HOUSING MOTEL PLACEMENT (COVID); GUIDANCE FOR LANDLORD AND TENANT DISPUTES, GUIDANCE, ONE TIME CASH ASSISTANCE, AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP ESTABLISH PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THOSE WITHOUT A HOME INCLUDING YOUTH, VETERANS, AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING POPULATIONS; INFORMATION ON LOW-INCOME RENTAL HOUSING, LANDLORDS, AND BUDGET ANALYSIS FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING A PLACE TO RENT, ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE THE HOUSING STABILITY OF VETERAN FAMILIES INCLUDING RENTAL, UTILITY, TRANSPORTATION, CHILD CARE, MOVING COSTS, AND EMERGENCY SUPPLIES ASSISTANCE, AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WITH PARTNER COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP NEW HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RENTERS AND HOME BUYERS. TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING PROGRAM SERVICES IS 2,627.
  3. $2.3 million spent. FOOD PROGRAMS - INCLUDES THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT HELPS SUPPLEMENT THE DIETS OF LOW-INCOME NEEDY PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE ELDERLY, BY PROVIDING THEM WITH EMERGENCY FOOD AND NUTRITION ASSISTANCE AT NO COST. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM IS A NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES SUPPLEMENTAL FOODS WHICH HELP PROMOTE GOOD HEALTH FOR ELIGIBLE CLIENTS 60 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING PROGRAM SERVICES IS 5,520.
  4. $2.1 million spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES - PROGRAMS INCLUDE ENERGY ASSISTANCE VOUCHER PROGRAMS; DIAPER BANK PROGRAMS; LAUNDRY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS; EMERGENCY NEEDS FUNDS TO PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY, GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING FOR FORECLOSURE PREVENTION, AND TAX PREPARATION FOR LOW INCOME CLIENTS AND SENIORS. ALSO, INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS ARE ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED FOR QUALIFIED CLIENTS. BUDGET, HOMEBUYER, RENTER, AND BANKRUPTCY COUNSELING INCLUDING CLASSES AND ASSISTANCE WITH NEEDS TO PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENCY IS ALSO AVAILABLE. TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING PROGRAM SERVICES IS 9,515.
  5. $1.5 million spent. WEATHERIZATION/ENERGY ASSISTANCE - WEATHERIZATION IS THE NECESSARY WORK NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF A HOME OR BUILDING. MEASURES MAY INCLUDE SUCH THINGS AS AIR SEALING, INSULATION, WINDOW/DOOR REPLACEMENT, PRESSURE BALANCING, DUCT SEALING AND INSULATION, ETC. THESE MEASURES ARE COMPLETED IN ACCORDANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL CODES, AND TO THE NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY'S STANDARD WORK SPECIFICATIONS. TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS SERVED IS 104.
  6. $1.2 million spent. OLDER AMERICANS - PREPARATION AND SERVING OF HOME DELIVERED AND CONGREGATE SENIOR MEALS BY ORGANIZATION-OPERATED KITCHEN AND CONTRACTED MEAL PROVIDERS. MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERED 187,368 MEALS TO 1,204 HOMEBOUND SENIORS AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS. 11 CONGREGATE LUNCHEON/CURBSIDE CENTERS PROVIDED 20,237 MEALS TO 1,272 SENIORS.

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 March 1974.

    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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