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Renaissance Development Fund

EIN 38-3367429 · Benton Harbor, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak8 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION, PARTNERING WITH THE CORNERSTONE ALLIANCE, ENGAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THE CITIES OF BENTON HARBOR AND ST. JOSEPH AND THE TOWNSHIPS OF BENTON, LINCOLN, AND ROYALTON.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$4.2 million
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
-70.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$273,714, treasurer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 8 out of 100. Higher than 0% 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

    0 of 20

    It owes 162% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 107% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 51% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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, 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 (1)
  1. $2.4 million spent. RENAISSANCE DEVELOPMENT FUND IS ENGAGED IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THE CITIES OF BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN AND ST. JOSPEH, MICHIGAN; THE CHARTER TOWNSHIPS OF BENTON, ST. JOSEPH, AND LINCOLN; AND THE TOWNSHIP OF ROYALTON. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRINCIPAL PURPOSE IS TO FOSTER REDEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION OF BLIGHTED REAL PROPERTY AND THE REMEDIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION, AND TO SPONSOR AS WELL AS FUND PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP THE DISADVANTAGED IN THESE CITIES.IN CONNECTION WITH ITS MISSION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ITS SERVICE AREA, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES LOANS TO LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. THESE NOTES RECEIVABLES ARE PERIODICALLY EVALUATED FOR COLLECTABILITY BASED ON PAST CREDIT HISTORY WITH CUSTOMERS AND THEIR CURRENT FINANCIAL CONDITION. PROVISIONS FOR LOSSES ON NOTES RECEIVABLE ARE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF LOSS EXPERIENCE, KNOWN AND INHERENT RISKS IN THE LOANS HELD, THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF UNDERLYING COLLATERAL, IF ANY, AND CURRENT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 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 September 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 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.