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Benzie Area Christian Neighbors Inc

EIN 38-2792605 · Benzonia, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH LIMITED RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING FOOD, CLOTHING, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SUPPORT IN COLLABORATION WITH AREA RESOURCES.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
15.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
9
Volunteers
188
Highest pay
$119,231, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 December 31, 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. $1.3 million spent. THE FOOD PANTRY THE NEIGHBORS CAN VISIT TWICE PER MONTH TO SHOP FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS IN A MARKET STYLE SETTING. SHOPPING POINTS ARE AWARDED BASED ON HOUSEHOLD SIZE. THIS PROGRAM SERVES 7,751 HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS. THE CLOTHING CENTER THROUGH DONATIONS RECEIVED FROM THE COMMUNITY, GENTLY USED IN-SEASON CLOTHING, LINENS, AND HOUSEWARES ARE OFFERED FREE TO NEIGHBORS IN A BOUTIQUE SETTING, ONCE PER WEEK. THIS PROGRAM SERVES 7,109 HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.
  2. $44,903 spent. BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK IS A NEIGHBOR-HELPING-NEIGHBOR PROGRAM THAT IS DESIGNED TO HELP MEET THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN. EACH WEEK, VOLUNTEERS, IN COOPERATION WITH SCHOOL OFFICIALS, DISTRIBUTE BACKPACKS FILLED WITH ENOUGH NON-PERISHABLE FOOD FOR THE WEEKEND (SIX MEALS) TO "HUNGER INSECURE" SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN. THESE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZED FREE OR REDUCED FEE LUNCH PROGRAM. THE GOAL OF BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK PROGRAM IS TO KEEP THESE CHILDREN FROM GOING HUNGRY ON THE WEEKENDS AND REMOVE BARRIERS TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS.
  3. $21,302 spent. PROVIDE UTILITY ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES IN NEED AND CAN ASSIST WITH $300 PER HOUSEHOLD PER YEAR WITH PAST DUE OR SHUT-OFF UTILITY BILLS AFTER SEEKING HELP FROM MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM SERVED 378 HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 1992.

    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.