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Michigan Physical Fitness Health and Sports Foundation

EIN 38-3172025 · Lansing, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To inspire active lifestyles and healthy food choices through education, environmental change, community events, and policy leadership.

Income
$19.1 million
Spending
$19.1 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 98%
Employees
40
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$217,561, president and ceo

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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 66% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 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. $1.5 million spent. As a statewide, backbone organization, MFF convenes community partners and leaders to understand the unique challenges individual communities face and collaboratively develops innovative and sustainable approaches that connect resources, remove roadblocks, and build healthier communities. Aligned with this mission, MFF administers Safe Routes to School and the Pedestrian Education Safety Grant, partnerships with the Michigan Department of Transportation. Additionally, inspiring Michiganders of all ages and abilities to be physically active and to participate in community-based events is an important part of the mission. Initiatives include the Iron Belle Trail partnership projects, Walk/Bike to School Days; and the Mackinac Labor Day Bridge Run.
  2. $16.5 million spent. Reaching over 1,000,000 people statewide with an intentional focus on low resource and vulnerable populations, MFF works to encourage wellness in the lives of Michigan residents through physical activity and nutrition collaborators, and, to deliver services and support initiatives that reduce disparities and improve conditions where Michigan's citizens of all ages live, learn, work and play. MFF administers statewide programs, service contracts, and grants including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Education, a partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; Safe Routes to Health, an AmeriCorps project with the Michigan Civil Services Commission; the development of a physical literacy framework and physical education curriculum as well as a Team Nutrition project in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education; and Michigan Farm to Family, a Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program with the United States Department of Agriculture. Programs include delivery of physical activity promotion and interventions; nutrition education interventions; and point-of-access programming in places where people live, learn, work, and play. Programs are reinforced through digital media, community events, innovative social marketing, strategic partnerships and advocacy, the long-term goal of which is to reduce disparities and community barriers to safe, active living and access to healthy food. Examples of interventions include the Exemplary Physical Education Curriculum (EPEC); Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities; RecConnect; the Physically Active Communities Assessment (PAC)Toolkit; the Farmers Market Nutrition Navigator Program; Fork and the Road; Michigan Harvest to Table; the Map to Healthy Living; Healthy Choices Catch On social marketing campaign; Eat Well in a SNAP; Champions for Change; and more. MFF staff as well as over 100 contractors and grantees conduct this work. By invitation, MFF staff sit on committees and boards of several national organizations. MFF's advanced expertise in nutrition, physical activity, physical literacy, evaluation, education, training, instructional design, database management, communications, urban planning, social marketing, and grant and finance operations support a best practice approach in the implementation and administration of federal, state, and private contracts, program awards, and contracted services.

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 December 1994.

    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.