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Passes our checks

Word of Life

EIN 38-3023339 · Ann Arbor, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS: A) TO PROMOTE A LOCAL EXPRESSION OF ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY LIFE, AND TO PROMOTE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRACTICAL LIVING OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY. B) TO PROMOTE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION AND WITHIN SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS IN OTHER AREAS AND TO SPREAD THE TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE THROUGH THE USE OF PUBLICATIONS, ELECTRONIC TAPES, LIBRARY FACILITIES, MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, MUSICAL MEDIA, AND OTHER SIMILAR ACTIVITIES. C) TO PROMOTE SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AMONG CHRISTIANS AT LARGE. D) TO SPONSOR WORSHIP SERVICES WITHIN THIS ORGANIZATION IN THE ANN ARBOR AREA AND AMONG OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN OTHER AREAS. E) TO ENGAGE IN WORKS OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY.

Income
$612,348
Spending
$395,323
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
15.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
6
Volunteers
210

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (religion, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 July 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 (2)
  1. $167,537 spent. WORD OF LIFE OFFERS CHRISTIAN TEACHING AND LEADERSHIP THROUGH PRAYER MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. PRAYER BREAKFASTS AND OTHER EVENTS ARE ALSO HELD. IN ADDITION, FREE COUNSELING AND OTHER CHRISTIAN SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO MEMBERS AND OTHER CHRISTIANS ON LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
  2. $161,995 spent. WORD OF LIFE CONTRIBUTES TO THE SUPPORT OF OTHER CHRISTIAN GROUPS AND THE POOR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 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 July 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 April 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.