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Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

EIN 38-3056434 · Traverse City, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE SPARK POSITIVE CHANGE BY INSPIRING GENEROSITY, CARING FOR RESOURCES, AND SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES, NOW AND FOREVER.

Income
$9.8 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 54%
Employees
12
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$180,584, president and chief execut

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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, 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. $3.9 million spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SUPPORT BY PROVIDING GRANTS TO 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT, MUNICIPAL, TRIBAL AND EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS WITH A FOCUS ON LOCAL IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT ITS REGION. THE FOUNDATION SERVES ANTRIM, BENZIE, GRAND TRAVERSE, KALKASKA, AND LEELANAU COUNTIES, AS WELL AS THE GRAND TRAVERSE BAND OF OTTAWA AND CHIPPEWA INDIANS, A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE.
  2. $653,422 spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS TO STUDENTS TO HELP THEM PURSUE CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES IN EITHER A TRADITIONAL COLLEGE ENVIRONMENT OR AT A TECHNICAL OR TRADE SCHOOL. SCHOLARSHIPS HELP PROMOTE THE FOUNDATION'S FOCUS AREAS OF EDUCATION AND YOUTH. IN 2025, THERE WERE 196 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS.
  3. $93,916 spent. THE FOUNDATION PLAYS A COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE REGION. IN 2025, THIS WORK INCLUDED CONTINUING TO CONVENE CROSS-SECTOR LEADERS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COALITION TO MOVE THE NEEDLE IN AREAS OF GREATEST NEED BY WORKING TOGETHER, HOSTING A SPEAKER SERIES AROUND LOCAL ISSUE AREAS, AND ENGAGING IN COLLABORATIVE PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION IS THE HOST FOR PRESS FORWARD NORTHERN MICHIGAN, A LOCAL CHAPTER OF A NATIONAL COALITION WORKING TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN ACCESS TO RELIABLE LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION. SUPPORT IN 2025 INCLUDED FUNDING FOR A LOCAL NEWS COLLABORATION PROJECT.

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 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 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 August 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.