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Alternatives for Girls

EIN 38-2766412 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS HELPS HOMELESS AND HIGH-RISK YOUTH AVOID VIOLENCE, TEEN PREGNANCY, AND EXPLOITATION, AND HELPS THEM TO EXPLORE AND ACCESS THE SUPPORT, RESOURCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES NECESSARY TO BE SAFE, TO GROW STRONG, AND TO MAKE POSITIVE CHOICES IN THEIR LIVES.

Income
$9.4 million
Spending
$9.7 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
131
Volunteers
1,300
Highest pay
$251,855, 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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $1.5 million spent. SHELTER/TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM:1) THE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM SERVED 107 PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING 22 MINORS. 2) 34 YOUTH WERE PREGNANT AND/OR PARENTING AT INTAKE. IN ADDITION TO THE PREGNANT AND PARENTING MOTHERS, 29 OF THEIR INFANTS/TODDLERS LIVED WITH THEM. 3) 5,740 NIGHTS OF CARE AND 18,624 MEALS WERE PROVIDED TO PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR CHILDREN. 4) PARTICIPANTS WERE PROVIDED COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, LIFE SKILLS, AND PARENTING GROUPS. 5) RESIDENTS PARTICIPATED IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GROUPS, INCLUDING EDUCATION ABOUT A VARIETY OF POSSIBLE CAREERS AND FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY DAYS ACROSS THE STATE. 51 PERCENT OF PARTICIPANTS GAINED EMPLOYMENT, AND 37 PERCENT WERE ENROLLED IN SCHOOL WHILE IN THE TIL.
  2. $2.5 million spent. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM:1) 885 PARTICIPANTS DIRECTLY SERVED ACROSS REGULAR PROGRAMMING.2) 399 INDIVIDUALS WERE SEEN IN THE CRISIS RESOURCE CENTER. 3) 172 INDIVIDUALS WERE SERVED THROUGH STREET OUTREACH. 4) 323 PARTICIPANTS WERE ENROLLED AND ACTIVE IN THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT HUB; ALL RECEIVED CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, WHILE 75 PERCENT ACHIEVED EMPLOYMENT AND 16 PERCENT ENROLLED IN VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. 57 EMPLOYER AND TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS.
  3. $1.8 million spent. COMMUNITY-BASED PREVENTION PROGRAM: 1) 62 YOUTH PARTICIPATED IN AFTER-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS, MENTORING, AND THE SUMMER PROGRAM. 2) 569 YOUTH WERE SEEN AT LEAST ONCE DURING YOUTH STREET OUTREACH. 41 OF THESE YOUTH RECEIVED ONGOING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT. 3) 220 YOUTH WERE SERVED IN THE PREGNANCY PREVENTION "GIRLS WITH AMBITION" RESEARCH PROJECT. 4) 1047 YOUTH WERE SERVED OVERALL. 100 PERCENT OF HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS AVOIDED UNPLANNED PREGNANCY.
  4. $1.7 million spent. HOUSING STABILITY PROGRAM: SERVED 136 HOUSEHOLDS (315 ADULTS AND THEIR CHILDREN) WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS, PROVIDING 100% OF THEM WITH SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, CASEWORK SERVICES, AND RENT SUBSIDIES. 40 PERCENT OF PARTICIPANTS SECURED/MAINTAINED INCOME.EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM: STATE OF MICHIGAN LICENSED PROGRAM FOR THE CHILDREN OF MOTHERS LIVING IN THE ORGANIZATION'S SHELTER; THE ORGANIZATION CARED FOR 21 INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND YOUNG CHILDREN, AGES SIX WEEKS TO FIVE YEARS OLD, AND ALSO PROVIDED PARENTING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO THE YOUNG MOTHERS LIVING IN THE SHELTER/TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM. 72 PERCENT OF INFANTS/TODDLERS LIVING IN SHELTER ENROLLED.

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 May 1988.

    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.