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Ruth Ellis Center Inc

EIN 38-3501697 · Highland Park, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE RUTH ELLIS CENTER (REC) WAS FORMED IN 1999 WITH THE MISSION TO PROVIDE SHORT AND LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL SAFE SPACE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR RUNAWAY, HOMELESS, AND AT-RISK LESBIAN, GAY, BI-ATTRACTIONAL, TRANSGENDER, AND QUESTIONING YOUTH. THE CORE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO BUILD POSITIVE FUTURES WITH LGBTQ YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING BARRIERS TO HOUSING, HEALTH, AND WELLNESS.

Income
$5.1 million
Spending
$5.1 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
49
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$156,000, executive director

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

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 69% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 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 (1)
  1. $3.9 million spent. TO FURTHER THE MISSION AND VISION, REC OFFERS A RANGE OF PROGRAMMING TO SUPPORT THE YOUNG PEOPLE THEY SERVE GROUNDED IN THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES OF WORK: TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, HARM REDUCTION, AND POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.THE RUTH ELLIS CENTER (REC) IS A CONNECTIONS SYSTEM PARTNER AND SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY WITH A MISSION TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES WITH LGBTQ+ YOUNG PEOPLE TO BUILD THEIR VISION OF A POSITIVE FUTURE. REC ENVISIONS A WORLD WHERE LGBTQ+ YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SAFE AND SUPPORTED NO MATTER WHERE THEY GO.

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? 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 September 10, 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 July 2001.

    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.