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Traverse Bay Childrens Advocacy Center Inc

EIN 38-3090530 · Traverse City, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE TRAVERSE BAY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY IS BUILT UPON A MODEL OF SUCCESS USED BY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTERS NATIONWIDE, AND CUSTOMIZED THROUGH COLLABORATIVE TEAM INPUT IN OUR REGION. OUR MISSION SPEAKS TO PROTECTING CHILDREN BY PROVIDING PREVENTION, ASSESSMENT, AND TREATMENT OF CHILD SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE THAT IS CHILD SENSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE, AND SAFE.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
20
Volunteers
15

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 September 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 (2)
  1. $1.1 million spent. TRAVERSE BAY CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY, (TBCAC) IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING CHILDREN, AND SUPPORTING FAMILIES BY PROVIDING PREVENTION, ADVOCACY, AWARENESS, MULTI-DISCIPLINARY INTERVENTION, ASSESSMENT, AND TREATMENT OF CHILD SEXUAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE. THE CENTER PROVIDES ON-SITE COUNSELING AND FORENSIC INTERVIEW SERVICES, ALL IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CHILD SENSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND SAFE. THE CENTER'S INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS SERVE ANTRIM, GRAND TRAVERSE, KALKASKA, LEELANAU AND WEXFORD COUNTIES. FROM OCTOBER 1, 2024 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, 5,353 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WERE SERVED.
  2. $80,042 spent. BETWEEN OCTOBER 1, 2024 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025, THE TBCAC CONTINUED WITH THE PROGRAM DESCRIBED AS A "PUBLIC WILL CAMPAIGN" TO MAKE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE RARE AND NON-RECURRING IN OUR LIFETIME. THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP FROM THE MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY OVER A PERIOD OF 5 YEARS IN ANNUAL GRANT INSTALLMENTS. THE CAMPAIGN ENTAILS DISCOVERY, DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION OF PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS IN THE GRAND TRAVERSE REGION TO BE EVENTUALLY EXPANDED STATEWIDE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 1993.

    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.