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Michigan State Chamber Foundation

EIN 38-2647323 · Lansing, 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

Points to look into

  • Only 44% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

1) TO PLAN AND CONDUCT NONPARTISAN PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS REGARDING FREE ENTERPRISE, PRODUCTIVITY AND BASIC ECONOMIC ISSUES AFFECTING THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.2) TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE A LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PROMISING FUTURE LEADERS IN BUSINESS, POLITICS, THE ARTS, EDUCATION, AND SOCIAL SERVICES WITH AN ASSESSMENT OF MICHIGAN'S ASSETS, CHALLENGES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN ORDER TO GIVE PARTICIPANTS THE BACKGROUND AND NETWORK OF CONTACTS NECESSARY TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON MICHIGAN'S FUTURE.3) TO CONDUCT NONPARTISAN RESEARCH AND DISTRIBUTE POLICY STUDIES ON ISSUES FACING MICHIGAN INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO TAXATION, GOVERNMENT REGULATION, HEALTH CARE, HAZARDOUS WASTE, CRIME, TOURISM AND RECREATION, WELFARE, GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND TRANSPORTATION.4) TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE MICHIGAN CHAMBER TO PROMOTE CONDITIONS FAVORABLE TO JOB CREATION AND BUSINESS GROWTH IN MICHIGAN.

Income
$819,651
Spending
$478,456
Spent on programs
44%
Reserves
12.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6
Highest pay
$556,409, president

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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    44% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 95% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 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 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 (1)
  1. $209,365 spent. MICHIGAN CHAMBER FOUNDATION (THE "FOUNDATION") PROVIDES ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND NONPARTISAN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY OF MICHIGAN THROUGH PROGRAMS AND EVENTS.CHAMBER DAY AT THE CAPITOL: AN ANNUAL EVENT TO CONVENE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS AND PROVIDE EDUCATION ON ISSUES OF MUTUAL INTEREST.DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION SERIES: A SERIES OF EVENTS TO HELP EMPLOYERS NAVIGATE AND MODEL BEST PRACTICES FOR AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE.SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT: AN ANNUAL EVENT TO CONNECT BUSINESS LEADERS WITH STRATEGIES AND INSIGHTS ON KEY ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES.ECONOMIC WORKFORCE SUMMIT: AN ANNUAL EVENT FOR BUSINESS LEADERS TO FORECAST KEY ECONOMIC, BUSINESS AND WORKFORCE TRENDS.MICHIGAN ATHENA SERIES: AN ANNUAL SERIES OF EVENTS TO CONNECT WOMEN BUSINESS LEADERS AND PROVIDE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP.TRAINING & EDUCATION: A MONTHLY SERIES OF EDUCATION EVENTS TO CONNECT BUSINESS LEADERS WITH TIMELY INFORMATION TO MEET REGULATORY AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.MICHIGAN ENERGY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM: AN INDUSTRY-LED PARTNERSHIP TO ADDRESS CURRENT AND FUTURE WORKFORCE ISSUES AFFECTING MICHIGAN'S ENERGY WORKFORCE INCLUDING EFFORTS TO GROW AND DIVERSIFY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

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

  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 June 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 April 1986.

    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.