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The Michigan Womens Foundation

EIN 38-2689979 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MWF IS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION WHOSE MISSION IS TO EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN AND ENTREPRENEURS OF COLOR BY PROVIDING ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND BUSINESS RESOURCES. MWF CELEBRATES OUTSTANDING WOMEN BY HONORING THEIR LEADERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY, ECONOMY, AND OUR STATE.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
24
Volunteers
260
Highest pay
$298,674, president & ceo

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: 67 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 62% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 19 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 (2)
  1. $3.4 million spent. ENTREPRENEURSHIP - INCLUDES PITCH COMPETITIONS, LENDING, PRE- AND POST- LENDING TRAINING, COACHING AND FACILITATION. THE NON-LENDING ACTIVITIES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP ARE DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE THE BASICS OF STARTING AND BUILDING A BUSINESS. LENDING IS A FINANCING PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FOR UP TO $50,000. AS A CDFI, MWF TARGETS LOW TO MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS, AFRICAN AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS OWNERS WHO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN QUALIFYING INVESTMENT AREAS IN MICHIGAN AS DEFINED BY THE CDFI.
  2. $66,557 spent. ALL OTHER PROGRAMS - THIS PROGRAM IS MADE UP OF VARIOUS SMALL OTHER PROGRAMS THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS SUCH AS SHOWCASING THE NAMES AND STORIES OF WOMEN WHO HELPED SHAPED THE HISTORY OF MICHIGAN.

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 November 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.