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Michigan Childrens Law Center Inc

EIN 38-3103956 · St Clr Shores, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADVOCATING FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IN THE DETROIT METROPOLITAN AREA.

Income
$764,629
Spending
$854,474
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 83%
Employees
2
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$121,750, co-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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $539,836 spent. IN 2024, MCLC COORDINATED THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:REPRESENTED CHILDREN IN JUVENILE JUSTICE, CHILD PROTECTION AND CHILD CUSTODY CASES WITHIN 3RD CIRCUIT COURT FAMILY DIVISION JUVENILE SECTION.HELPED THE WAYNE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT IMPROVE AGING OUT PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION ADVOCACY PROGRAM (BOTH OF WHICH MICHIGAN CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER STARTED AND THE COURT SYSTEM INCORPORATED INTO THE 3RD CIRCUIT JUDICIAL COURT FAMILY DIVISION JUVENILE SECTION).CONTINUED OUR MENTORING AND ME PROGRAM AND SUCCESSFULLY CONNECTED TWO YOUNG MEN AND ONE YOUNG WOMAN WITH MENTORS.HOSTED WEBINARS FOCUSED ON HOW INVESTIGATORS CAN ASSIST WITH YOUTH REPRESENTATION, UNDERSTANDING JUVENILE MENTAL HEALTH COURT, BASIC EDUCATION ADVOCACY FOR JUSTICE INVOLVED CHILDREN, BUILDING A VILLAGE OF SUPPORT FOR JUSTICE INVOLVE YOUTH, ACCESSING COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR YOUTH, BASIC CASE INFORMATION RESEARCH, AND GENERAL YOUTH ADVOCACY TRAINING WEBINARS FOR ATTORNEYS WITHIN 3RD CIRCUIT COURT.PRESENTED AT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC DEFENDERS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN'S COUNSEL AND MICHIGAN'S GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON NEGLECT AND ABUSE.ENGAGED IN NEW COLLABORATIONS WITH BIG FAMILY OF MICHIGAN, HOUSE OF KADENCE, FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER TO ASSIST WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR CLIENTS AND FAMILIES.CONTINUED BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARK WEST FOUNDATION, SHOREWOOD KIWANIS CLUB, AND LAKESHORE OPTIMIST CLUB.ENGAGED IN MEANINGFUL LEGAL AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH CHILDREN'S LAW SECTION, DETROIT BAR ASSOCIATION, OAKLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION JUVENILE COMMITTEE AND WOMEN'S LAWYERS ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN.SERVED ON CHILDREN'S COMMITTEES TO ENHANCE ADVOCACY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE STATE OF MICHIGAN JUVENILE JUSTICE PARTNERSHIP AND LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE (CLS).HOSTED ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT.CREATED CHESS CLUB FOR CHILDREN IN CARE AS WELL AS GRANDPARENTS SUPPORTING GRANDCHILDREN.CREATED SHOES FOR SCHOOL PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GYM SHOES FOR CHILDREN. HOSTED HYGIENE SUPPORT DRIVE TO ASSIST OLDER CHILDREN COMING INTO FOSTER CARE.ASSISTED OLDER FOSTER CHILDREN WITH ESSENTIAL NEEDS.HOSTED ENTREPRENEURS FOR A CAUSE EVENT, GRANDPARENTS SUPPORTING GRANDCHILDREN DAY, READING MONTH LITERACY EVENT, MLK I HAVE A DREAM VISION BOARD PARTY.HOSTED ANNUAL ADOPT A CHILD FOR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM SERVICING 10 CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE AND 2 CHILDREN IN JUVENILE JUSTICE RELATED CASES.MADE PRESENTATION TO ATTORNEYS WHO PRACTICE IN ADULT CRIMINAL COURT TO SHARE INSIGHTS ABOUT CHILDREN WHO FIND THEMSELVES THERE LATER IN LIFE.TRAINED ONE LAW SCHOOL INTERN AND ONE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT IN PRE-LAW.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 May 1998.

    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.