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Michigan Municipal League Foundation

EIN 38-3019434 · Ann Arbor, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO OPERATE EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 501(C)(3), AND TO ORGANIZE TO WORK WITH MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT EFFORTS THAT BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND BUILD EQUITABLE COMMUNITY WEALTH.

Income
$868,562
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$502,025, ex-officio

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

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 101% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 68% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (10)
  1. $642,054 spent. TO ASSIST THE CITY OF HAMTRAMCK & THE HAMTRAMCK SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP AND LONG-TERM PLAN TO REDEVELOP THE 26 ACRE VETERAN'S PARK STADIUM DISTRICT AND TO SUPPORT THE HAMTRAMCK PARKS CONSERVANCY WITH ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES. THE WORK IS A SIGNIFICANT FIRST STEP TOWARD THE RENOVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND ACTIVATION OF THE PARK CAMPUS, WHICH INCLUDES KEYWORTH STADIUM AND THE HISTORIC HAMTRAMCK STADIUM. (Expenses $ 188,234 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT (Expenses $ 94,516 including grants of $ 40,000)(Revenue $ 0) MI WATER NAVIGATOR - FUNDED THROUGH THE C.S. MOTT FOUNDATION & JOYCE FOUNDATION. THIS PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO HELP CITIES FINANCE WATER IMPROVEMENTS AND OR ACCESS STATE AND FEDERAL RESOUCES RE: WATER AFFORDABILITY. (Expenses $ 69,715 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) DOW HOUSING (Expenses $ 23,500 including grants of $ 8,000)(Revenue $ 0) DTE LOCAL ECONOMIES (Expenses $ 12,000 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - ONLINE LEARNING TOOL FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS (Expenses $ 5,000 including grants of $ 5,000)(Revenue $ 0) TIM DOYLE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FUND CONTRIBUTED TO THE MML'S LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT AN ONLINE LEARNING TOOL FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS (Expenses $ 4,070 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) BRIDGEBUILDER GRANT PROGRAM PRODUCED A CELEBRATION BOOK TO SPOTLIGHT PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.
  2. $439,912 spent. WILSON FOUNDATION - DEVELOP NEW PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON BUILDING MUNICIPAL CAPACITY AND CAPITAL SUPPORTS TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH STRATEGIES THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH. TO ASSIST THE CITY OF HAMTRAMCK & THE HAMTRAMCK SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP AND LONG-TERM PLAN TO REDEVELOP THE 26 ACRE VETERAN'S PARK STADIUM DISTRICT. THE WORK IS A SIGNIFICANT FIRST STEP TOWARD THE RENOVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND ACTIVATION OF THE PARK CAMPUS, WHICH INCLUDES KEYWORTH STADIUM AND THE HISTORIC HAMTRAMCK STADIUM.
  3. $216,124 spent. SUBNATIONAL DIPLOMACY INITIATIVE TO DEFINE HOW CITIES CAN ENGAGE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS TO BENEFIT THEIR CITIZENS. (Expenses $ 188,234 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT (Expenses $ 94,516 including grants of $ 40,000)(Revenue $ 0) MI WATER NAVIGATOR - FUNDED THROUGH THE C.S. MOTT FOUNDATION & JOYCE FOUNDATION. THIS PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO HELP CITIES FINANCE WATER IMPROVEMENTS AND OR ACCESS STATE AND FEDERAL RESOUCES RE: WATER AFFORDABILITY. (Expenses $ 69,715 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) DOW HOUSING (Expenses $ 23,500 including grants of $ 8,000)(Revenue $ 0) DTE LOCAL ECONOMIES (Expenses $ 12,000 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - ONLINE LEARNING TOOL FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS (Expenses $ 5,000 including grants of $ 5,000)(Revenue $ 0) TIM DOYLE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FUND CONTRIBUTED TO THE MML'S LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT AN ONLINE LEARNING TOOL FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS (Expenses $ 4,070 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) BRIDGEBUILDER GRANT PROGRAM PRODUCED A CELEBRATION BOOK TO SPOTLIGHT PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.
  4. $188,234 spent. LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT
  5. $94,516 spent. MI WATER NAVIGATOR - FUNDED THROUGH THE C.S. MOTT FOUNDATION & JOYCE FOUNDATION. THIS PROGRAM IS INTENDED TO HELP CITIES FINANCE WATER IMPROVEMENTS AND OR ACCESS STATE AND FEDERAL RESOUCES RE: WATER AFFORDABILITY.
  6. $69,715 spent. DOW HOUSING
  7. $23,500 spent. DTE LOCAL ECONOMIES
  8. $12,000 spent. LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - ONLINE LEARNING TOOL FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS
  9. $5,000 spent. TIM DOYLE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FUND CONTRIBUTED TO THE MML'S LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT AN ONLINE LEARNING TOOL FOR LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS
  10. $4,070 spent. BRIDGEBUILDER GRANT PROGRAM PRODUCED A CELEBRATION BOOK TO SPOTLIGHT PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

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 June 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 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.