The Other Way Ministries
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE OTHER WAY WORKS TO EMPOWER NEIGHBORS RESIDING IN A LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI THROUGH PROVIDING ASSISTANCE WITH BASIC NEEDS AND REFERRAL SERVICES, ALONG WITH A VARIETY OF HOLISTIC PROGRAMMING TO ACHIEVE SPIRITUAL, RELATIONAL, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 3.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 51
- Volunteers
- 180
- Highest pay
- $84,069, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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)
- $604,044 spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: LITTLE LIGHTS INFANT AND TODDLER PROGRAM PROVIDES TUITION-FREE INFANT, TODDLER, AND PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR INCOME-QUALIFYING FAMILIES. INFANT/TODDLER CLASSROOMS OPERATE 10 HOURS PER DAY, 5 DAYS PER WEEK, USING EVIDENCE BASED CURRICULUM AND PRACTICES. PARTICIPATION IN LITTLE LIGHTS ALSO INCLUDES MEALS, DIAPERS, AND FORMULA AT NO COST, AND NUMBER OF FAMILY SUPPORTS INCLUDING TEACHER HOME VISITS, RESOURCE REFERRALS, DENTAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, SUPPORTS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS, AND OTHER SERVICES.
- $1.3 million spent. FOOD ASSISTANCE: A THREE-TIERED APPROACH TO FOOD ASSISTANCE GEARED TOWARD FOOD SOVEREIGNTY: 1. EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY: AVAILABILE 5 DAYS PER WEEK FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS FOR WEEKLY USE, WITH EMPHASIS ON HEALTH, CHOICE, AND DIGNITY FOR ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS. RESOURCE ASSISTANCE AND REFERALL ALSO PROVIDED TO ADDRESS OTHER NEEDS. 2. AGAPE FOOD CO-OP: COMMUNITY OF NEIGHBORS WHO MEET REGULARLY AND RECEIVE ADDITIONAL, MORE TARGETED ASSISTANCE WITH FOOD AND HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT NEEDS DETERMINED BY MEMBERS THEMSELVES. A NOMINAL MEMBERSHIP FEE IS CHARGED TO OFFSET COSTS AND IS SET BY MEMBERS THEMSELVES. 3. FRESH MARKET: RETAIL SPACE SELLING FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE AT 50% DISCOUNT FOR INCOME-QUALIFYING NEIGHBORS. SNAP BENEFITS ARE ACCEPTED.
- $389,415 spent. FAMILY/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: SEVERAL OTHER PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY AT NO COST, INCLUDING: A DAILY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, WEEKLY TEEN CLUB, SUMMER YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, A MEN'S GROUP, CHRISTMAS STORE, MENTAL HEALTH/ COUNSELING SERVICES, A COMMUNITY GARDEN, AND OTHER RESOURCE ASSISTANCE AND REFERRALL SERVICES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1981.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.