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Starfish Family Services Inc

EIN 38-2230416 · Inkster, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES TO CREATE BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR CHILDREN.

Income
$45.7 million
Spending
$47.5 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 68%
Employees
630
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$365,037, psychiatrist

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

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 62% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

    15 of 15 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 (4)
  1. $30.2 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES - PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT HEALTHY EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INFANT/TODDLER SERVICES AND PRESCHOOL CENTERS, AS WELL AS PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT PARENTS IN ACHIEVING THEIR OWN FAMILY GOALS. HEAD START, EARLY HEAD START AND STATE-FUNDED GREAT START READINESS PROGRAM FORM THE CORE OF STARFISH FAMILY SERVICES EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES, OFFERING FREE PRESCHOOL AND OTHER SUPPORTS TO CHILDREN AGED 0-5.
  2. $11.0 million spent. STARFISH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES - RESOURCES TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES INCLUDING OUTPATIENT THERAPY, HOME BASED THERAPY, CASE MANAGEMENT, WRAPAROUND SERVICE, EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH HOME VISITING, GROUP SERVICES FOR PARENTS AND PREGNANT AND PARENTING TEENS, AND SERVICES FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN. OTHER AREAS OF SPECIALTY INCLUDE SCHOOL BASED SERVICES, TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, AND INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE INITIATIVES. WE HAVE OUTPATIENT LOCATIONS IN LIVONIA, INKSTER, WESTLAND,AND DEARBORN AS WELL AS AT THE HOMES OF CHILDREN ACROSS DETROIT AND OUT-WAYNE COUNTY.
  3. $33,939 spent. STARFISH FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES - RESOURCES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES RELATED TO REMOVING BARRIERS TO OBTAINING AND/OR MAINTAINING EMPLOYMENT AS WELL AS PROVIDING SUMMER LEARNING KITS FOR FAMILIES.
  4. FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION.

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 February 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 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.