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Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels

EIN 38-2038528 · Ypsilanti, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals, social contact and other services to the homebound elderly, ill and disabled in eastern Washtenaw County, to enable them to enjoy healthier, safer, and more independent lives.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
12.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
31
Volunteers
253
Highest pay
$138,591, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 84 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 December 31, 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. $1.8 million spent. In 2025, Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels YMOW provided meals to medically homebound residents of eastern Washtenaw County in southeast Michigan. YMOW clients access to two meals a day on Monday through Saturday and one meal on Sunday. Each days delivery includes a hot meal for lunch and a chilled meal for later in the day. In addition to traditional meals, YMOW provides frozen meals and emergency shelf stable meals for times when weather or other circumstances prevent delivery. YMOWs clients are typically older adults with multiple chronic health conditions and very limited incomes. Our commitment is to help these vulnerable neighbors remain in the comfort of their own homes without worries about what they will eat or how they will obtain or prepare food. Every meal delivery doubles as a wellness check and a tool against the social isolation that many clients experience. With every meal delivered and every client visited, we take one small step toward our vision of a community where every senior feels nourished, valued and supported. See Schedule O for more. Through our personal care pantry, YMOW makes non-food essentials available to clients who may not have money or the means to purchase these important items, like toilet paper, incontinence products, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items. Additionally, YMOW offers case management support to clients. YMOW also provides weekly produce delivery through a partnership with Food Gatherers year round and summer farm produce boxes through a partnership with The Farm at Trinity Health Ann Arbor.
  2. $184,628 spent. Safe at Home - Safe at Home fulfills the organizations mission to help older adults live safely and independently at home through consolation with an occupational therapist. The occupational therapist provides education, devices and home modifications in collaboration with the older adult. Participants are better equipped to age where they choose with reduced risk of falls and improved daily routines.
  3. $37,838 spent. For many homebound people, a pet is a treasured companion and an important tool against loneliness. To help clients care for their furry friends, YMOW offers free delivery of pet food, cat litter, and other pet supplies through its Fur-Ever Friends Pet Program. The program also helps clients pay for vet visits, pet grooming and medications.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 1975.

    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.