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Vanguard Community Development Corporation

EIN 38-3201091 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Vanguard's mission in Detroit's Historic North End is to cultivate a vibrant and healthy community where people live, work, and play. Our core values are Economic Equity and Racial Equity.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
7
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$170,650, president and ceo

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $302,579 spent. Vanguard has built 236 affordable homes including 206 in Detroit's Historic North End and 48 for Seniors. These homes were developed to provide much needed housing for people with low to moderate economic means to ensure that these homes are clean, safe and attractive. Vanguard CDC, Avanath, RMC Development and Tekton have joined together for the sole purpose of developing North End Landing as market rate, affordable and senior housing in the Smith Street/Delores Bennett Park area of the Historic North End.
  2. $696,695 spent. Vanguard's Community Engagement Program is designed to organize community residents and stakeholders. We serve as an information clearing house and education to optimize community engagement in a rapidly changing neighborhood. We organize residents to create change. The purpose is to transmit critically needed information so that residents will be actively engaged in redeveloping their neighborhood as well as making good strategic decisions about such. Included in this activity beginning in 2021, Vanguard completed the beautification of East Grand Boulevard from Woodward Ave to I-75. This project lasted three (3) years. It included art, placemaking, storytelling about the Historic area, clean and safe activities, festivals and more. It was funded by the Knight Foundation with a $1.5 million grant over three (3) years. Vanguard has started a home repair program funded by Cummins Care Foundation.
  3. $390,203 spent. Vanguard operates a comprehensive economic development program which is centered on the North End commercial district including Milwaukee Junction. Vanguard implements proven economic development strategies and provides technical assistance to district businesses, residents, and stakeholders. Vanguard serves as the North End/Milwaukee Junction Commercial District Manager. As such, we provide a full array of services that the community identified as essential. These include: commercial district branding and promotion, building and staffing the district business association, expanding and developing workforce development opportunities, supporting district businesses, creating a stronger sense of place through physical development, leveraging resources, creating green space, preserving and elevating the district's rich, unique, African-American history and ensuring economic equity and racial justice in all district development.

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 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 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 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.