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Gratiot County Child Advocacy Association

EIN 38-2179785 · Alma, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To improve the welfare of children and their families through education, training, and support for the prevention of substance abuse, and child abuse and neglect.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 62%
Employees
18
Volunteers
159
Highest pay
$81,455, president & ceo

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

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% 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: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 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 (4)
  1. $455,493 spent. GRATIOT COUNTY SUBSTANCE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM (GCSSP) CHILD ADVOCACY WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH AREA SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE AN ABOVE THE INFLUENCE CAMPAIGN TO YOUTH IN GRATIOT COUNTY. THE CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED TO BRING AWARENESS OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE INFLUENCES THAT CAN AFFECT THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THE CAMPAIGN GIVES STUDENTS TOOLS THEY NEED TO RISE ABOUT NEGATIVE INFLUENCES. GCSSPP ALSO PARTNERS WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CONDUCT COMPLIANCE CHECKS AS A WAY TO ENFORCE STATE LAWS AND/OR LOCAL ORDINANCES RELATED TO SERVING OR SELLING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS. COMPLIANCE CHECKS CREATE A MECHANISM TO IDENTIFY, WARN AND EDUCATE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO LICENSEES THAT ARE IN VIOLATION OF SALES AND SERVICE LAWS IN THEIR STATE. THE GCSSPC IS A COLLABORATIVE COUNTYWIDE DECISION MAKINGBODY OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT CONVENES MONTHLY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF SUBSTANCE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION NEEDS FOR GRATIOT COUNTY. GCSSPC ALSO OFFERS PROGRAMS TO HELP TEENS QUIT JUULING AND VAPING, OFFERS QPR TRAININGS TO ORGANIZATIONS FOR FREE, COLLABORATES WITH MIDMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTERGRATIOT AND MIDMICHIGAN DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO OFFER THE RESPONSIBLE PRESCRIBING SERIES EACH YEAR FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, RUNS THE TIPS PROGRAM WHICH IS AN EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR THE RESPONSIBLE SERVICE, SALE, AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, AND OFFERS VENDOR EDUCATION TO KEEP TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL PRODUCTS OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY.
  2. $235,516 spent. CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION PROGRAMS INCLUDE 24:7 DAD PARENTING PROGRAM TO OFFER SUPPORT AND EDUCATION TO DADS TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE TO YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP A CODE OF CONDUCT HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES MAKE PARENTING A PLEASURE PROGRAMS FORPARENTS OR CAREGIVERS LOOKING FOR EXTRA SUPPORT IN AREAS SUCH AS UNDERSTANDING AND HANDLING STRESS, MANAGING ANGER, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, DISCIPLINE, AND HANDLING CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING SESSIONS SAFER, SMARTER KIDS WHICH FOLLOWS A DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SEQUENCE OF INSTRUCTION FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP SKILLS TO STAY SAFE AS THEIR WORLD EXPANDS SAFER, SMARTER TEENS WHICH IS A SERIES OF LESSONS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOLS TO TEACH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, HOW TO CREATE SAFE BOUNDARIES, CONSENT, SEXUAL HARRASSMENT, SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION. AND HOW TO REACH OUT FOR HELP IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS STEWARDS OF CHILDREN TRAINING THAT TEACHES ADULTS HOW TO PREVENT, RECOGNIZE, AND REACT RESPONSIBLY TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.
  3. $326,664 spent. CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER (CAC) - FORENSIC INTERVIEWS ARE PROVIDED TO CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND VULNERABLE ADULTS WHO ARE SUSPECTED VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE, SEVERE PHYSICAL ABUSE, MAY BE DRUG ENDANGERED, OR WHO WITNESS A VIOLENT CRIME PROVIDES ONSITE TRAUMA INFORMED THERAPY AS WELL AS REFERRALS TO LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS FOR CONSELING WHEN APPROPRIATE OFFERS A MONTHLY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE VISITED THE CAC FOR SERVICES SPECIALIZED MEDICAL EVALUATIONS AND TREATMENT ART THERAPY PROGRAMMING FOR CHIDLREN AND ADOLESCENTS VICTIM ADVOCACY AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS.
  4. $171,931 spent. COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA) TRAINS VOLUNTEERS THROUGH SPECIALIZED TRAINING ON HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE AND/OR NEGLECT.

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 December 1979.

    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.

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.