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Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan Inc

EIN 38-2534222 · Traverse City, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE STRIVE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES IN TIMES OF CRISIS, CHALLENGE, AND LIFE TRANSITION.

Income
$7.8 million
Spending
$7.5 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 53%
Employees
211
Volunteers
52
Highest pay
$102,124, 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: 66 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 (3)
  1. $2.2 million spent. FOSTER CARE IS ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAMS OF CFS, PROVIDING TEMPORARY OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT TO CHILDREN REFERRED FOR THE SERVICE FROM THE STATE OF MICHIGAN. FOSTER CARE ENCOMPASSES CASE MANAGEMENT, LICENSING, FAMILY SUPPORT, AND FAMILY TIME COACHING. THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM PROVIDED 22,467 DAYS OF CARE TO 116 CHILDREN IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN IN FY24-25.
  2. $1.1 million spent. THE YOUTHWORK PROGRAM HELPS DEVELOP YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH SERVICE LEARNING, MENTORING, AND JOB AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, ENGAGING OUR MOST DISENFRANCHISED YOUTH AND CREATING LASTING IMPACTS ON THEM AND OUR COMMUNITY SPACES.
  3. $453,840 spent. SAFE HAVEN IS A SUPERVISED VISITATION AND SAFE EXCHANGE PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR HIGH CONFLICT. IT IS THE ONLY PROGRAM OF ITS KIND IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN AND IS NOW OFFERED IN BOTH OUR TRAVERSE CITY AND HARBOR SPRINGS OFFICES. CFS PROVIDES A SAFE, SUPERVISED, AGE-APPROPRIATE, AND FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN TO VISIT WITH THEIR NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT OR TO ENABLE AN EXCHANGE BETWEEN PARENTS. IN FY2024-2025, SAFE HAVEN FACILITATED 1,970 SUPERVISED VISITS AND SAFE EXCHANGES.

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 September 1984.

    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.