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Father Fred Foundation

EIN 38-2908199 · Traverse City, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE OFFER HELP, HOPE AND COMPASSION TO ANYONE WITH ESSENTIAL NEEDS.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
25.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
12
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$117,214, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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

    12 of 12 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $1.5 million spent. THE FOUNDATION'S ONSITE PANTRY OPERATES MUCH LIKE A SMALL GROCERY STORE PROVIDING FRESH, DRY, AND FROZEN GOODS AND PERSONAL CARE ITEMS FOR FREE TO THOSE STRUGGLING WITH FOOD INSECURITY. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING FOOD OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO IMPOVERISHED YOUTH LIVING IN A 5-COUNTY REGION: BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK PROVIDES EVENING AND WEEKEND FOOD TO STUDENTS, PANTRY TO PRESCHOOL DISTRIBUTES UNPREPARED MEALS AND STAPLE FOOD ITEMS TO FAMILIES OF YOUNG CHILDREN WHO ARE UNABLE TO VISIT THE ONSITE FOOD PANTRY, AND SHINE (SUMMER HEALTH INITIATIVE TO NOURISH EVERYONE) PROVIDES SNACKS AND EASY-TO-PREPARE MEALS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE HOMELESS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WITHOUT ACCESS TO SCHOOL-PROVIDED MEALS.
  2. $832,525 spent. THE FOUNDATION'S CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS DEPARTMENT ALLOW THOSE IN NEED TO SHOP FOR FREE IN WHAT RESEMBLES A THRIFT STORE OFFERING WINTER COATS, BOOTS, SHOES, SOCKS, CLOTHING, DISHES, POTS, PANS, LINENS, AND MORE. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION OFFERS SPECIAL PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR PROVIDING ITEMS SUCH AS NEW SHOES, BOOTS, WINTER COATS, AND SUPPLIES TO IMPOVERISHED SCHOOL CHILDREN.
  3. $548,400 spent. FOUNDATION STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS LISTEN TO EVERY STORY AND OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WHO CAN DEMONSTRATE A NEED. WE LEVERAGE COLLABORATIVE FUNDS TO HELP THOSE EXPERIENCING UTILITY SHUTOFFS, RENTAL DEPOSITS AND EVICTIONS, UNSAFE VEHICLES IN NEED OF REPAIR, AND PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION VOUCHERS FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1990.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.