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Howell Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation

EIN 38-3187469 · Howell, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HOWELL AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION RECEIVES AND ADMINISTERS FUNDS FOR EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES FOR THE PUBLIC WELFARE OF THE LIVINGSTON COUNTY COMMUNITY.

Income
$199,245
Spending
$97,022
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
14 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
0
Volunteers
43

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 51% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 110% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $34,955 spent. THE FOUNDATION HOSTS THE FANTASY OF LIGHTS PARADE EACH YEAR THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HOWELL. THIS WELL-ESTABLISHED EVENT HAS A STRONG PRESENCE AND IS WIDELY ATTENDED BY PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. CROWDS OF 30,000 PLUS PEOPLE LINE THE PARADE ROUTE ALONG GRAND RIVER AND ENJOY THE MANY FESTIVITIES THAT ACCOMPANY IT. SPECTATORS CAN SHOP WITH LOCAL MERCHANTS, GRAB REFRESHMENTS, ENJOY LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, AND POP IN FOR A VISIT WITH SANTA AND HIS REINDEER. RUNNERS DON THEIR FAVORITE HOLIDAY APPAREL, COSTUMES, AND LIGHTS TO RACE ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE IN THE FANTASY 5K RACE OR ONE MILE FAMILY FUN WALK.
  2. THE MARGARET STARKEY SCHOLARSHIP - SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO NON- TRADITIONAL STUDENTS WHO ARE ADVANCING THEIR EDUCATION WHILE WORKING. THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED DEPENDS UPON THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS AND FUNDS AVAILABLE.
  3. $54,466 spent. THE FOUNDATION RECEIVES AND ADMINISTERS FUNDS FOR EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES FOR THE PUBLIC WELFARE OF THE LIVINGSTON COUNTY COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDATION WORKED ALONGSIDE LOCAL PARTNERS AND THE COMMUNITY TO RAISE FUNDS TO ENHANCE THE LIVINGSTON COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE CITY OF HOWELL ON THE LAWN OF THE HISTORIC LIVINGSTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE. SIX JET BLACK GRANITE STONES DISPLAYING THE BADGES OF THE UNITED STATE MILITARY WERE ADDED TO THE MEMORIAL'S BENCHES, ALONG WITH LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS.

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 January 1995.

    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.

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