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Chalfonte Foundation

EIN 38-3568149 · Elk Rapids, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

The mission of the Chalfonte Foundation is to provide spiritual, psychosocial, recreational, financial and educational support for children, youth, families, and their communities in need.

Income
$254,444
Spending
$226,842
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
9.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$24,000, ceo/president

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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (5)
  1. $2,032 spent. Children and Communities Initiative: 1. Chalfonte House - Provided accommodations for families, children and groups to participate in retreats and activities in Elk Rapids, Michigan. 2. Activities in Detroit included educational movie nights, activities around major events such as the Detroit Thanksgiving Day Parade; museum tours, visits to parks and playgrounds.
  2. $181,451 spent. Arts and Culture: 1. Visual and Performing Arts - Plan, produce, and present cultural arts programming for children, youth, families and community members. The program involves hosting exhibitions, lectures, concerts, arts and crafts classes and activities, and visits to museums and cultural events. 2. Cinematic Arts - New to the organization since acquiring a historic 300 seat cinema, presenting exhibitions of contemporary and classic films, student film festivals, and works by independent film makers.
  3. $15,233 spent. Broadcast Media Arts - 1. Produced live internet based television broadcasts of concerts and performances at the Chalfonte Theatre. 2. Began broadcasting on a new FCC licensed low power community radio station at 99.7 on the FM dial in Elk Rapids, MI. This program includes 10 adult radio DJs and 4 youth DJ interns ages 10 to 17. The radio station broadcasts music from local, national, and international artists and provides public service announcements for local nonprofits and community centers.
  4. $517 spent. Health & Healing: In 2024, the Chalfonte Foundation provided health and healing programs including yoga and Reiki sessions for youth and adults, along with books, materials, and subscriptions that supported wellness education at the Chalfonte House and Ryan Giannini Park. The Foundation also supplied program-related products and staff development resources to strengthen its capacity to promote well-being for children, families, and community participants.
  5. $1,298 spent. Food & Agriculture: In 2024, the Chalfonte Foundation supported sustainable food and agriculture programs by maintaining garden and foraging areas at Ryan Giannini Park and making cabin improvements to help facilitate future onsite educational programming. The Foundation also promoted local agriculture through its partnership with Chateau Chantal at the Chalfonte Theatre, where the wine tasting room highlighted Michigan-grown products and advanced community awareness of locally sourced food and agricultural practices.

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 April 2001.

    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.