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Lutheran Adoption Services Inc

EIN 38-3330163 · Detroit, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LUTHERAN ADOPTION SERVICE (LAS) PARTNERS WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN TO ACHIEVE PERMANENCY FOR CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM BY FACILITATING THEIR ADOPTION INTO STABLE, LOVING FAMILIES. LAS ACCOMPLISHES THIS GOAL BY PROVIDING AN ARRAY OF SERVICES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CASE MANAGEMENT, CHILD ADOPTIVE ASSESSMENTS, FAMILY ADOPTIVE ASSESSMENTS, FAMILY RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, AND THERAPY AFTER THE FINALIZATION OF AN ADOPTION. LAS ALSO PROVIDES FAMILY SEARCH AND REUNION SERVICES TO ADULT ADOPTEES.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
0
Volunteers
53
Highest pay
$50,333, exec. dir. thru 08/24, treasurer

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: 73 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 73 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $2.7 million spent. LUTHERAN ADOPTION SERVICES (LAS) SPECIALIZES IN IDENTIFYING ADOPTIVE PLACEMENTS FOR CHILDREN FROM MICHIGAN'S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM. WE HELP A CHILD FIND A "LIFELONG LOVING FAMILY." EVERY CHILD NEEDS LOVE, SHELTER AND GUIDANCE. THESE MOST BASIC OF PROVISIONS ARE MISSING FOR SOME CHILDREN, AND THE OLDER THE CHILD, THE DIRER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY COME FROM AN ABUSIVE OR NEGLECTFUL SITUATION. IN 2024, LAS FACILITATED ADOPTIONS FOR 196 YOUTH.
  2. $41,888 spent. LAS PROVIDES POSTADOPTION SERVICES, WHICH INCLUDE EDUCATION, SUPPORT, CONSULTATIONS, REFERRALS, INFORMATION SEARCH, THERAPY AND FACILITATION BETWEEN THE ADOPTEE AND BIRTH PARENTS. IN 2024, LAS ASSISTED 42 FAMILIES WITH POSTADOPTION SERVICES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for churches. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.