Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Avenue Family Network Inc

EIN 38-2592238 · Benton Harbor, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY, FAMILY, AND INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL AND CAPABILITIES WHICH SUPPORT HEALTHY, SELF-SUFFICIENT, FULLY FUNCTIONING LIVES FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND ADULTS.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
83
Volunteers
41
Highest pay
$75,413, 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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 93% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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. $516,801 spent. CARING CONNECTION - BENTON HARBOR - PROVIDES A SAFE AND INVITING DAYTIME ENVIRONMENT WHERE ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SUCH AS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER ILLNESSES CAN ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL AND THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES WHICH HELP MEET THEIR SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL NEEDS. PEOPLE WHO ATTEND HARBOR HOUSE ARE SOCIALLY ENGAGED AND INVOLVED IN MENTALLY STIMULATING ACTIVITIES WHICH HELP TO MAINTAIN OR EVEN IMPROVE THINKING SKILLS AND LANGUAGE ABILITIES.
  2. $815,503 spent. CARING CONNECTION - EMPOWERMENT CENTER - PROVIDES A SECURE, VIOLENCE FREE ENVIRONMENT FOR SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ALONG WITH THEIR DEPENDENT CHILDREN. SURVIVORS ARE OFFERED A PROTECTIVE, WARM AND VIOLENCE FREE PLACE TO STAY, LISTENING EARS, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND OTHER RESOURCES NEEDED TO DEVELOP SAFE, HEALTHY AND MEANINGFUL LIVES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN.
  3. $430,926 spent. CARING CONNECTION - PAW PAW - PROVIDES A SAFE AND INVITING DAYTIME ENVIRONMENT WHERE ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SUCH AS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER ILLNESSES CAN ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL AND THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES WHICH HELP MEET THEIR SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL NEEDS. PEOPLE WHO ATTEND HARBOR HOUSE ARE SOCIALLY ENGAGED AND INVOLVED IN MENTALLY STIMULATING ACTIVITIES WHICH HELP TO MAINTAIN OR EVEN IMPROVE THINKING SKILLS AND LANGUAGE ABILITIES.
  4. $578,816 spent. WEST MICHIGAN GUARDIANSHIP.

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 October 2020.

    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.